#Colombian mochila bag

[lorebrian15]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Handcrafted Crochet Bag Mochila.

[thegaiaarts]

Best Handmade Indigenous Bags for You!

Bags are one of the favorite accessories for women, gone are the days when people used bags to carry their essentials or just for carrying groceries. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, people have given equal importance to the bag and outfit they wear to improve their appearance and to enhance their fashion tastes. Speaking of fashion, Wayuu bags are the most trending bags on the internet today! What is special about these bags?

There are many reasons why these bags are on-trend. Here are some reasons for this, number three will surprise you! 

• They are purely handmade- Every single bag is handmade, yes even the smallest details and unique color and design patterns are all handwoven with the best skills ever. By owning a Wayuu bag, you are allowing the Wayuu women to tell their stories, dreams, and geometry shapes through their artwork

• They speak a style statement for you- what is best about Wayuu bags is the unique and excellent craftsmanship that can be seen at a single glance. The bag has great potential to impress anyone with its charming and mesmerizing outlook. The most special thing about this bag is that anyone can wear it and still look great. Create your style statement with these amazing traditional crafts from our website.

• Suits every outfit and every occasion- You can take your Wayuu bag anywhere on different occasions and still look great. The bag easily goes well for any occasion and won’t give you trouble matching it with your outfits. Buying this Colombian mochila bag is a brilliant way to compliment your outfits as well as keep the Wayuu culture.

• Has unique patterns and colors- Each mochila is unique and its geometric patterns are also unique making each bag different from another bag. These bags have proven to have intriguing beautiful patterns that will make everyone wow! Each bag is different in itself and tells a lot about the weaver who crafted the bag.

• They are of high quality- these bags are woven with high mental and physical skills, natural fabrics, and dyes making them durable and long-lasting than any other form of a bag. Also, these bags ensure comfort and versatility, meaning they will never look or feel monotonous.

Would you like to own some of our amazing Colombian mochila Wayuu bags? Help us preserve this indigenous fashion trend by buying and wearing our colorful bags. Do visit our website and check on our best handmade products and make your order.

[carlaerosie]

small cultural & Colombia/Latin related details from Encanto 🇨🇴 (part 3)

alpargatas - the shoes that Mirabel and other women in Encanto wear

COLOMBIA (obvious one and not that small but I love it, also it’s in the colors of Colombian flag)

capibaras - animals native to Colombia

mochilas - bags that Mirabel and other villagers carry

Día de las velitas (Day of the Little Candles)

wax palms - the palms that grow in Encanto are national trees of Colombia (they are also the highest palms)

Agustín playing En Barranquilla Me Quedo

there is so much more cultural and Colombian details in Encanto but I am not able to show them all in gifs unfortunately

the flowers that grow on Isabela’s balcony are bugambilias - you can see them mostly in Cartagena de Indias. all of the flora and fauna showed in Encanto is typical for Colombia

all of the villagers (Madrigals also) are catholic - you can see the church and the priest - it’s an important part of our culture and traditions

there is a song called Colombia, Mi Encanto sung by Carlos Vives (I refuse to believe there can be Colombians who don’t know who he is)

so yeah that would be it

I think I won’t be doing more of this because it takes a lot of time and phone storage but I’m really grateful I was able to share those cultural facts about Encanto with more people

thank you for reading! <3

[sarakuan]

Icons I designed for a charity rising funds to develop facilities in Colombia. Head to http://catleya.ch to see what they do! 

[all-the-heart-you-cannot-see]

Dude! The guajira’s bag. The one Meribal is using.

Ese es un bolso wayuu?

i think its wayuu inspired, generally they have more geometrical designs but i guess those would clash with the flowery aesthetic so they kept the shape but changed the design. But you are right!!!!!

time to share even more colombian culture. Anon is reffering to that bag which is a handmade purse called a mochila done by the Wayuu, an indigenous tribe on La Guajira, on the colombian atlantic coast

These are knitted, with needle and thread and take a long time to do, specially because of the intricate geometrical designs, so they tend to be pretty expensive but also really beautiful

[wayuuplanet]

The Wayuu people

Located deep in the La Guajira desert, close to the Colombian and Venezuelan border, is a traditional, historical, indigenous community who are known as the people of the sun, sand and wind – the Wayuu tribe. Arriving in La Guajira from the Amazon rainforest and Antilles in 150A.D. to escape the hostile environments and find a new home, the Wayuu people have battled – the Spanish, the Government and, currently, mother nature – to keep their traditions alive.

The Wayuu tribe has a number of ancient traditions and rituals they keep alive, living in small, isolated communities, of which there are around 10 in the La Guajira department of Colombia and Venezuela. In the past living in these small communities was to prevent the mixing of goats, cows and crops. They live predominately in huts called rancherías made from cactus or palm-leaf-thatched roofs, yotojoro (mud, hay or dried cane) walls with basic furniture which includes hammocks for sleeping and a small fire pit for cooking.

Each community has a communal area called a luma or enramada, which is usually an open area with pillars to hold up a flat, thatched roof. These areas are used for social gatherings, events, visitors and business meetings. The Wayuu tribe is unique in the fact that the women of the household own the houses and run the families, while the fathers work with the animals and land. Each community has an informal leader who makes the decisions; usually these leaders are well connected individuals who are direct descendants of previous leaders. Often these individuals know both Spanish and the Wayuu’s language, Wayuunaiki (part of the Maipuran or Arawakan language). Their culture combines legends, myths, stories, traditions and customs.

Today the tribe is in search of sustainability; the Uribia tribe is striving to use tourism to improve their living conditions, by allowing visitors to their community and offering an insight into their traditions, cultures and brightly colored festivals. Bringing visitors to the tribes also offers the opportunity for individuals to sell textiles and ceramics, including the Wayuu’s famous Mochila bags, hammocks, and blankets made by the women of the tribe who are expert weavers and skilled at creating crafts.

The indigenous Wayuu tribe have been fighting for their rights for centuries, and now their way of life is becoming threatened through no fault of their own, with mother nature destroying their habitat.

Excerpts from an article by Anny Wooldridge

[heartlandhq]

❝ the sun will rise, and we will try again. ❞

INFORMATION,

full name ⋯ Blair Valentina Mendez-Aliba age ⋯ 19 years old pronouns ⋯ She/Her/Hers origin ⋯ Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia / Omaha, Nebraska affiliation ⋯ Bergan Mercy Hospital position ⋯ Scavenger

SURVIVABILITY,

advantages ⋯ able-bodied & avid disadvantages ⋯ belligerent & reprehensible preferred weapon ⋯ metal baseball bat

BIOGRAPHY,

trigger warning ⋯ parental abuse ( negligence, emotional, physical ), violence, blood, injury, death, murder

BEFORE DECEMBER 25th, 2017,

it doesn’t rain much at all in cali, valle del cauca, colombia. ON THE DAY SHE IS BORN IT POURS. a summer baby, a gemini, with a head full of dark hair. she is the last of many in a long line of princesses and politicians and psychiatrists.

they name her blair. “it is not colombian,” her abuela says. “it is beautiful,” her mother says. “it is shameful,” her abuela says. “it means ‘battlefield,’” her mother says. “could you please, hija, listen to me for once in your life?” her abuela asks.

they do not go to a lot of family events after blair is born. still, when she grows old enough to waddle her way around the streamers, old enough to tug at her grandmother’s long skirt, she receives a smile back. her abuela is a kind woman. her mamá might be adopted.

the mendez family wanted a quiet life. two catholic traditionalists with hearts of gold, they had only one child, a daughter they named antonella. the mendez family didn’t get their quiet life. their daughter is an olympian by the time she is eighteen. a gold then and two years later again. her tkachev salto is a beauty.

the other side of blair’s family is not much at all. maite aliba raised her son alone with two harsh hands. she was a coach like her papá before her, and she taught her son soccer as soon as he could walk. she dies when tomas is ten from a heart attack.

antonella and tomas meet and hit it off during her second olympic games. he is for soccer, she for gymnastics. they bicker incessantly and hide their smiles poorly. they elope, move to cali, have five children in quick succession. ivano, omar, cassius, jesse, blair. all after olympian idols.

if they had stopped at just hope, A NAMESAKE, that their children would grow up to be national athletes, all would be well. but that is not what they did. they forced them to be well.

antonella does not know temperance well. she knows hard work and payoff. she knows not the power of her own words. she has a thrumming of power about her, is not one for jokes, is not one for failures. she is a despicable but powerful woman.

tomas is a shadow. he is always there, even when you don’t need him, but he doesn’t really do all that much. he lets antonella take the reins, even if she is the most violent horse in the history of the mendez-aliba war.

THEIR HOUSE IS A WAR-RIDDEN COUNTRY. blood stains the floor of their bathroom from where mamá pushed cassie too hard. a few years ago someone replaced all the family photos with sceneries. some nights it is a deafening arena of noise; screams and yells and screams and cries and screams. some nights it looks empty. there is no movement in sight. rooms become tanks. the living room is no man’s land.

sometimes blair thinks about it, but most of the time it is bleached from her memory. she makes herself a selective remembrance for when it suits her.

she tells herself things with so much confidence that eventually she starts to convince herself they are true.

blair tells herself: no, my mamá did not hit me. yes, papá is always nice. no, i do not know where ivano is. yes, i miss my home.

the last one is always the hardest to get out. cali is a place that is easy to miss. it is breathtaking. colombia may be seen as violent and rough to the outside world, but blair has never been given such a proof. every day she used to walk a mile to the shops from her house. the sun would rise around her. how could such a thing be vitriolic?

but just because the sky melts into yellow easier than anywhere else in the world does not mean it is her home. but neither is their house at the end of the block.

by the time she is eighteen, no one lives there anymore. it does not matter. she could buy it, she knows, but cassius has talked about doing the same and she doesn’t want to remember. blair wants the house to make new memories for itself. cassius wants to burn the house down on his own right.

she would ask her other siblings for their input, but she doesn’t have their numbers.

blair is five when ivano is fifteen. she has yet to learn her time’s tables or how to spell la mochila or what it’s like to have the freedom of choice. but she knows three things to be true before anything:

01. mamá is always right.

02. papá is always right.

03. if you close your eyes real tight, and hum real loud, nothing really matters anymore. screams go silent. tears go dry. pain goes away.

she learns a new thing two months after her birthday when ivano packs a bag and leaves in the middle of the night. she is getting a glass of water in the kitchen, just awaken from another tonya harding-themed nightmare where she, of course, plays the part of nancy kerrigan. that is when she sees him. he is taller than her by a long shot, and his eyes water around the dark imprint of a black eye when she spots him. “iva?” she whispers, and he raises a finger to his lips. ivano writes something on a post-it note that was lying on the counter ( meant for groceries ) and gave it to her. after that, he left and she couldn’t read what he wrote, but she knew it was bad so she kept it on the space between her wall and her bed for many years. sometimes she would just stare at it. SHE NEVER TELLS ANYONE WHAT IT SAYS.

this is how she finds the fourth thing:

04. trust is sacred.

blair grows up.

on the morning of her sixth birthday, her mother gives her a box. in it is a black leotard and two hand grips. “your training,” she says, “begins tomorrow.” blair is overjoyed. her siblings are in mourning.

she has never been more fascinated than she is when she sits in front of her family’s television, gymnastics playing on and on. mary lou retton tumbles and tatiana gutsu flies. she wants nothing more than to be just like them. nothing else matters in the world except for being just like them. she doesn’t remember a time she didn’t feel this way.

( she doesn’t know that her parents conditioned her to feel this way. she will never know that her parents conditioned her to feel this way. she doesn’t want to know that her parents conditioned her to feel this way. )

the most vivid memory she has of her childhood is soaked in blood.

she has just gotten home from gymnastics practice. they did mile running today. her thighs ache and she doesn’t think they will ever feel steady again. it’s a comforting feeling in some way, despite this. IT’S CONSTANT.

her mamá is screaming. cassius is crying. as usual, omar and jesse are at soccer practice. or maybe they’re hiding out on the roof. she doesn’t pretend to keep track of them anymore.

she walks into the room, and the air all drains out. her tan hands fidget with her limp ponytail as her mamá’s eyes scan over her. “and you,” she says, in español, “blair valentina. you are all i have left to be proud of.”

it’s a common scene.

blair knows what it’s like to bleed. she is six years old: she tells her papá she doesn’t want to go to practice that day. he tips her into the gravel on their patio. her hands slip until they find purchase beneath her. blair knows what it’s like to bruise. she is seven years old: she doesn’t think she will ever land this flip correctly. aerials are hard, is all. she makes it halfway through each time, only to land with her shoulder smacking against the cold hard mat. again, her coach says, again, again, again, again. blair knows what it’s like to burn. she is eight years old: “mamá, she is better than me,” is an innocent phrase, or so blair had thought. for saying it her mother puts her hand above a candle for a minute. the scar still exists today.

BLAIR KNOWS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BURN.

she is five years old: “i can’t play right now.”

she is six years old: “i don’t want baby toys.”

she is seven years old: “watch me! watch me, watch me, watch me!”

she is eight years old: “i miss my family so much.”

her siblings all turn out a bit bitter, as it reveals over time. ivano hasn’t been seen in years. omar has five erased speeding tickets, his first shot at college was a failure, his second a pass. it took cassius years to give himself a purpose. he was the best out of all of them at his sport, but he held no passion or love for it in his heart－he went into boxing, has learned to smile with blood in his teeth. jesse is a pawn of his parents, a vapid boy with a dissolute mouth. he is a product of his situation.

AND THEN THERE IS BLAIR.

the only one of all of them to make it to the olympics. the only one of all of them to process it so cleanly.

blair turns out bitter, but she succeeds. she is reprehensible in the simplest way. not even soap would help her mouth anymore, and she says what she thinks the moment she thinks it, and a lifetime of rage has been bottled under her tongue ( sometimes she can’t hold it there as well as she likes ).

she hasn’t really lived beside in her competitions. she doesn’t know much of anything. her level of education is just what is legal before she was taken out of her classes to train full-time. she’s never really dated, only had sex a handful of times.

but she knows what she has to do: WIN GOLD. she has two more years until the summer olympics, after that it’s four more, then four again, then four again, then four again.

her first shot at the olympics had been a success, but she been first. silver is beautiful but gold is priceless. beijing had been a failure, and she was going to be ready next time. she knows she shouldn’t be so disappointed. silver at seventeen is fantastic, especially on your first try. she is still disappointed.

she doesn’t know what’s coming after that but it’s never really bothered her. it’s easier when you know what you have to do. she eats vegan, runs five miles a day, trains eight hours a day, travels all over the world.

that’s when blair takes her plane ride to north carolina. SHE DOESN’T COME BACK.

AFTER DECEMBER 25th, 2017,

she is sitting in her hotel room when the news of it spreads. blair hears the words “epidemic” and switches the channel. she’s thinking maybe f.r.i.e.n.d.s is on instead, checks her phone idly. it is then she becomes aware of the mass surge of notifications she has: warnings and psas and rumors.

the outside world is a mystery to her in some ways. she doesn’t listen to the media, keeps her silver spoon in her mouth at all times, and doesn’t keep up with any celebrities.

but there are millions of people on twitter talking about these videos of the dead come alive: it’s really zombies, they say. y’all i can’t die without having fucked harry styles, they say. finally, death’s sweet embrace, they say. ( she doesn’t understand any of it. )

but she’s a curious girl. and curious girl’s fingers often slip, so when they tap the play button on one of the videos, well she just can’t help herself, can she?

she watches it. it looks like a highway, cars parked all around with their headlights on and their horns are blaring. in the middle of everything is a man. he’s unnaturally pale with blood smeared at his mouth. when he stands, it is revealed only half of his head is still intact. he limps towards the person holding the camera. limps. limps. limps. a shot rings out and the video goes dead.

blair tries to catch her breath, scrolls down more. twitter crashes. when she opens it again, it crashes again. she gives up and closes her phone. her back hits the hotel bed with a thump, eyes searching the ceiling.

her mind roams over what she has to do tomorrow. morning run, meet up with coach salzar, practice leaps－ “qué hora es?” she mumbles to no one in particular. she opens her phone. 12:05, it reads. she glances a bit down. the date: december twenty-fifth, 2017. it’s christmas. SHE HADN’T REALIZED.

as the world is ending, blair goes to sleep.

when she wakes up everything is so loud. it’s five am, her daily awakening. nothing should be different because she is in a new place. mornings are always the same.

but the sounds of people running down the corridors are noisy. there are screams and shouts outside her door. she doesn’t know why, and the video from last night doesn’t come to mind. she shuffles across the room quietly. when she reaches her door she doesn’t try to open it, doesn’t dare, doesn’t want to face what’s outside. she hates noisy neighbors.

she checks the peephole instead. at first, all she sees is a grey expanse. then it comes into clearing as the person standing outside backs up. it was their forehead. she thinks the person is just some oddity but then she looks down. it’s a woman, no older than her, wearing a nightgown. she’s white with bright blonde hair. it takes a moment to register that she is covered in blood. all down the front of her nightgown, her legs, her bare feet. she growls as she stares at the peephole. ( THAT THING IS NOT A WOMAN. )

adrenaline rushes into blair, knocking the air out of her. she grapples with her phone, tries call her coach. no answer. cassius next. no answer. her mother. no answer. someone is banging on her door, shouting something frantic.

she does not listen. blair grabs her bags, throws them all onto her bed. she shoves everything she has that is important into her duffel bag. clothes, her laptop, travel size containers of cereal. then she opens her window. good thing her room is on the second floor. outside is mayhem, but she ignores it as she climbs.

being able to jump and flip has suddenly found a way to be handy. HER FEET HIT THE GROUND, and she starts running and does not stop for a very long time.

a month has passed, but she hasn’t realized it yet. her phone is lying in the bottom of a river from when she was passing and got very, very angry. her laptop had the date too, but she threw that when she got tired of the weight. it could very well by march and she wouldn’t be able to tell except by the seasons.

she still doesn’t understand what’s happening, just knows she’s missed way too much training.

she thinks she’s in illinois. the air is stale here, but everything is so far apart that the biters ( that is what she has been calling them in her head; doesn’t think she’s spoken in weeks. last time she saw people, she hid behind a parked car until they were gone. ) aren’t overpowering.

her throat burns, and there’s no more spit left in her body. she’s dehydrated but doesn’t stop walking. training has been a blessing. competition is not the only thing it turned out to be good for. and it is a help, but in her training, she never learned how to shoot a gun or properly load one either. that’s why when she finds a metal baseball bat in the back of some poor sucker’s car, she takes it.

the weight is easy in her hands. if she closes her eyes it feels like a beam ( in this fever dream she wraps her fingers around it, twirls in perfect symmetrical circles. her landing is marvelous, without any flaw. the crowd cheers. )

but especially she is good with it, her arms are strong, and when they swing it comes with a punch. she can send a biter down in one shot if she does it right.

it’s not a skill she ever needed, but it makes blair happy in a way she probably shouldn’t be. killing things is pretty easy, a bit fun too. she tries not to enjoy it at first but it doesn’t work. THE POWER IS FINALLY IN HER HANDS.

she’s finally the one throwing the punch, or swinging the knife, or scoring the competitors.

blair has been trekking herself across the country. she had no destination in mind, just knew that if you sat in one place too long a biter would be there waiting. maybe she’s just too afraid to make something that matters if it’s likely going to be torn down.

she doesn’t trust people that much anyway. never has. she trusted omar, but he left. he’s probably dead now. she trusted cassius, but he’s at washington state university. he’s probably dead now too.

this is when she stumbles upon another person. she doesn’t notice him until it’s too late, she has no time to run in the opposite direction. they’re both raiding the same supermarket. when a biter has her cornered she’s just about to swing when an arrow goes straight through it.

his name is marcus, he tells her. he is very nice, but not very funny. or maybe she’s just being mean, that’s always a possibility because even before the world came to an end she was not regarded by media and by others as a nice person.

THE NICKNAMED HER THE COLOMBIAN GASLIGHTER.

( she is not proud, she promises. )

and she promised herself she wouldn’t be a friend to strangers in these circumstances. but marcus doesn’t let her shut him out. and together they make their way across the prairie state. scavenging is a lot easier when you have a partner, but marcus doesn’t share her brand of diligence.

marcus doesn’t like checking to make sure there’s always an exit, or double checking at all, or patrol. he’s a careless person, and blair doesn’t like careless people but she does like marcus so she tries to not notice and not get angry.

“blair,” he says to her one day, “are you ever going to stop looking for something that isn’t there?” she can’t answer him. if she could she doesn’t have anything to say, she isn’t even sure what he means. she can’t answer as to what she’s looking for. a purpose? a person? a home?

when blair is unsure or anxious she rubs the burn on the inside of her left palm. it’s her mamá’a work. now that the world is truly coming to a close she’s started to realize something: she didn’t deserve what happened to her.

but she doesn’t understand it either. one day, a week in as she has known him, she is getting changed when he comes back in from replacing their water supply. “oh my god,” he says, and she turns around. “don’t be a baby, you’ve seen a naked girl before,” she says, putting on her shirt a leisurely pace. she is not going to let anyone make her feel ashamed.

“BEFORE OR AFTER?” he asks. she has to ask what he means. “before or after the apocalypse, did you get those scars?” she shakes her head, walks away to start getting their things together.

their time together is short-lived. the next supermarket it is marcus who gets cornered. a biter narrowly misses his leg. they don’t talk about, just continue on their way. blair’s new boots that she stripped from some dead girl in peoria are stained with blood.

she offers to do the first patrol. as marcus sleeps, she takes her knife and shoves it into his neck. his eyes fly open, and he looks her into the eyes as she whispers to him, “almost done, baby. it’s okay.” it doesn’t take him long to die.

blair feels immensely relieved afterward. she did it for a reason. so that some biter wouldn’t do it in a few weeks in springfield or in st. louis in kansas city.

it’s easier this way. she drags his body into the river, stabs him in the brain beforehand ( the only way she knows how to kill them ), then she lets the tides consume him.

after that, she packs her bags and continues her journey west.

two weeks pass. blair doesn’t see anyone but the undead. she stops cleaning herself as well as before, starts looking a bit frightening. well, as frightening as a hundred pound colombian girl who is the same height as kevin hart on a good day.

this is when she makes her way into omaha. she wouldn’t have realized if not for the “OMAHA. CITY LIMIT.” sign she passes. it’s been steady going for a few miles now, but blair is dehydrated, has been for a while. she feels like she did two years ago, training for the olympics non-stop.

except for then, there had been a payoff. her silver medal wasn’t the best but it was so, so good. she does not see any pay off in sight. all she sees is buildings.

then a cemetery. she knows it must be a bad place to be at a time like this, but she can’t help herself. she wanders in, looks at the inscriptions but not at the names. her bones are heavy.

after that, she makes her way across the street. there’s a parking lot filled with biters, but she sees an entrance hidden away so she makes her way through, swinging that same bat despite the ache in her arms. she makes the sprint, makes her way through. after that it gets blurry. dehydration catches up with her.

the next thing she knows she is inside the building. she made it in before passing out, they tell her. she was severely dehydrated, they tell her.

blair thinks she might want to leave, might want to continue her journey.

she thinks she might go to the washington state eventually. try to find cassius. but the people are nice and their hands are warm and they didn’t let her die, SO SHE STAYS.

CENSUS,

faceclaim ⋯ Sofia Carson played by ⋯ Olly

[ifreakingloveroyals]

30 October 2014 | Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is presented with a traditional Colombian Mochila Bag (made by women who were survivors of Sexual violence) at the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Bogota, Colombia. The Royal Couple are on a four day visit to Colombia as part of a Royal tour to Colombia and Mexico. After fifty years of armed conflict in Colombia the theme for the visit is Peace and Reconciliation. (c) Chris Jackson/Getty Images

[thegaiaarts]

Mochila Wayuu Bags is carefully assembled in Colombia by Indigenous craftsmen. The novel, feasible style adornments with shocking and agreeable crossbody plan.

[doodlenova]

Authentic Colombian Mochila Bag / Hand-woven / Multicolor / Spring

http://pin.it/rdbr_OK 

100% hand woven in Colombia. All items are created in a smoke-free and pet free environment. Multicolor hand-woven cotton bag featuring a shoulder strap and 2 tasseled drawstring fastening. Each Mochila bag is made by using techniques passed down from generation to generation. Each bag is totally one of a kind - there will never be two exactly the same. 

[campfiresandsandcastles]

A Local's Guide to the Best Things to Do in Old Town, Cartagena, Colombia

El Centro, or The Walled City, or Downtown or Old Town…there are many names for the beautiful historic city center that is the main attraction for visitors to Cartagena, Colombia. Its thick wall fortification and colorful colonial buildings date back centuries with layers of history waiting to be revealed. The walls have warded off untold pirate attacks, the churches have been beacons of hope for thousands including the African slaves once sold in its main plaza, but the Church was also a poor example of Christianity during the times of the inquisitions. I’ve been told that if you know the history of Cartagena, then you know the history of Colombia. And I believe that to be true.

I have written this post to share those maybe less known places that we’ve found to be some of the best spots to visit in El Centro. So, this is a local’s guide of favorite places in El Centro. And as we continue to discover these tucked away places, I will update this post accordingly.

Table of Contents

No Two Streets Share the Same Name

Walk on the Wall and Peek Through Doorways

Parks and Plazas

Museums

Cultural Centers

Cathedral and Churches

Theater

Food

Shopping

Bathrooms

Parking

 No Two Streets Share the Same Name

First, it is very difficult to explain where places are located in El Centro because a street has a different name on each block is (e.g., Calle 38 is also Estanco del Aguardiente, Calle de la Merced, Calle del Sargento Mayor, or three other names depending on which block you are standing on). I’ve heard that there are over 100 street names in El Centro…and those names are not used by Google Maps. Instead, Google Maps reverts to numbers (e.g., Calle 35, Carrera 3). Carreras run north and south through the city and Calles run east and west. However, taxi drivers are more likely to know the full street name, not the number of the street. So, trying to tell a taxi driver where to go using Google Maps directions is essentially useless. It’s best to just say the name of the place you’re visiting or a large nearby landmark.

 Walk on the Wall and Peek Through Doorways

The unique feature of this area is the thick stone wall that surrounds the entire city. So, this may go without saying, but be sure to walk along at least a portion of the wall when you visit. The northwestern wall is a popular place to watch the sunset. There are some restaurants along that side, but you can also simply claim a portion of the wall to sit and wait for the sun to dip below the horizon.

This is one city where being a bit nosy is welcome and even encouraged at times. The beauty of the buildings in this city are not always obvious from their outward appearance…but take a peek into their inner courtyards and you will often be astonished by what you find. Some dilapidated fronts give way to amazing entrance ways and there is always, always, always a courtyard, and often a water feature such as pond or fountain. The buildings are narrow and long, so what may look like a small house from the front, extends the entire block once inside. So, take any opportunity you find to peek inside, whether it be a hotel, restaurant, or even a residence, people here understand the fascination with their homes and often allow a brief look around if you ask politely (always with a “por favor”).

 Parks and Plazas

Another famous aspect of this city is its parks and plazas. They form the social centers of the various areas of the city and they are the landmarks by which directions are given. Learn their locations and you have nearly mastered navigating this city.

Plaza de Bolívar

Named for the famous freedom fighter, this square is recognized by the statue of Bolivar sitting upon his horse in the center among many towering trees. This square is a popular meeting place for locals to beat the heat of the city and the Cathedral, Museo Historico de Cartagena, and Museo de Oro adorn its sides (see more details of each below).

Plaza Santo Domingo

This square gets its name from Santo Domingo church that abuts one side of the square. This plaza is often the location of various music celebrations, plus there is a bustling night life with the plaza filled with cafe tables served by the surrounding restaurants and loads of roaming vendors. The square also contains a bronze statue of a naked woman by the famed Colombian artist, Botero. When you see her be sure to notice her various parts that are especially shiny because she’s been rubbed for good luck.

Plaza San Pedro Claver

Named for the church located along its western edge, this is a popular location to congregate, especially at night. And the steps of the church are often used for various cultural events. The most popular photo of the Cathedral lit at night can be taken from this square, looking along the steps of the church, down Calle San Pedro Claver, north towards the Cathedral.

Plaza de Los Coches

Located just inside the entrance to the city that is under the clock tower, this is a popular place to meet to start your tour or adventure inside the city. You will also be greeted by many, many vendors selling various items to make your visit better including sunglasses, hats, or tours. On the far west side of the plaza you will find a line of vendors selling various Colombian sweets, including plenty of coconut, ariquipe, and panela treats.

Plaza de la Aduana

City offices line the southeast side of this plaza, which is also a popular location for various music and entertainment events. This is a good location to find ATMs as there are numerous banks that line this plaza too.

Plaza de Santa Teresa

This plaza is located outside of the hotel for which it is named, the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa. This area is a good location to find vendors selling the woven Mochila bags that everyone carries around here, and it is a great place to find a taxi given the hotel and the fact it is located near an exit of the city.

Parque Fernández de Madrid

This is a nice place to relax from the heat as it is full of grown trees and plenty of benches. You can sit in the shade and take in the view of the statue of the man who is the basis of the square’s name. The cultural center Alianza Colombo Francesa Cartagena and Santo Toribio de Magrovejo church can be found along its sides (see more details of each below).

Plaza de San Diego

Located back in the neighborhood that bears its name, this a great little park to find local jewelry vendors selling their wares in the late evening. They will even offer you a little stool to sit on if you hover near one of their areas for any length of time so you can be comfortable while you shop. One side of this square is lined by the well known Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara.

 Museums

My Spanish teacher, Amaurys, would argue that El Centro, itself, is a huge museum. And he’d be correct. Dating over 450 years since its founding, there are layers upon layers of history built into the foundation and walls of this old city. But, we also have our fair share of actual museums too.

Museo Naval del Caribe (Naval Museum)

Two stories, this museum provides a complete history of Cartagena, from before its founding, when the indigenous people reigned, to nearly modern times. And don’t let the name fool you, while there are some great life-size parts of naval ships to climb around in on the second floor of the museum, the museum isn’t just dedicated to the naval history of the city. Cartagena’s history as a major port with harrowing real-life stories of treasure, pirate attacks, and conquistadors lends itself to be told via a museum with Naval in the name. Located in the Plaza Santa Teresa. Expect to spend 1 hour, $16000 COP per adult (approximately $5 USD). For a docent-led tour, contact my Spanish teacher and licensed tour guide, Amaurys, via WhatsApp at +57 (313) 526-3910.

Iglesia San Pedro Claver (San Pedro Claver Church)

Named for Saint Peter Claver, the patron saint for the hundreds of thousands of slaves that passed through the walls of this city during the two hundred years of the slave trade, you are able to tour the entire property of this church. This includes a two-story building, which once was home to Saint Peter, that surrounds a beautiful, tree-filled courtyard, plus, the inside of the church itself. This is a treat to be able to see inside the church, as this church is not often open and you surely are not regularly allowed to walk all over the altar where you can gaze at the bones of Saint Peter housed in a glass coffin (no joke). Located in Plaza San Pedro Claver. Expect to spend less than an hour, $14000 COP per adult (approximately $4 USD). A docent-led tour is available for an additional fee.

Museo Historico de Cartagena (Historic Museum of Cartagena)

Formerly known as the Museo de Inquisition (Inquisition Museum), this museum historically held examples of the torture devices used during the Spanish Inquisition to coerce the heretics into confession. The museum has more recently been transformed into a more pleasant locale, sharing the history of Cartagena which amounts to a static exhibit on the top floor of the building. Various rooms on the remaining floors often house art exhibitions which are free to enter. Likely of most prominence is the building and grounds themselves, which includes beautiful architecture, a large open courtyard, and massive tree-shaded grounds in the back. Located in Plaza de Bolivar. Expect to spend less than an hour, $21000 COP per adult (approximately $7 USD). I believe that an audio tour is available for a fee.

Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art)

This museum entails a small, two-story collection of various modern pieces including a black and white photo of Colombia’s famous author, Gabriel Garcia Marcus which greets you as you enter the museum. Rotating visiting exhibits can also be found here. Located in Plaza San Pedro Claver. Expect to spend less than an hour, $8000 COP (approximately $2.50 USD). The museum closes during almuerzo (lunch) from noon to 3pm.

Museo de Oro (Gold Museum)

This museum is currently under renovation and thus being housed in a smaller location on Plaza Bolivar. This museum is a fraction of the size of the famous gold museum in Bogota, and I’m told the gold pieces inside are replicas, they are not real gold. However, the intricate pieces that the ancients crafted are remarkable and help to impress upon visitors the abundance of gold that this area was founded upon and for which it was continuously sacked by pirates and others. Located in Plaza de Bolivar. Expect to spend less than an hour, free to enter. Independent tour guides are available.

 Cultural Centers

Cartagena actually has a pretty large cultural and art scene. El Centro itself houses a few cultural centers that are worth noting because of their active schedule of events.

CFCE Cartagena - Cooperación Espanola

Supported by the Spanish Embassy, this beautiful two-story cultural center with a stunning open courtyard offers a variety of cultural events such as author talks, dancing, and music and rotating artisan and cultural exhibits, as well as a public library and a coffee shop run by the owners of Abaco Libros y Café. Located in Plaza de Santo Domingo (Carrera 3 #2-74). Expect to spend less than an hour, free to enter. https://www.facebook.com/cfcecartagena/

Alianza Colombo Francesa Cartagena

Dedicated to teaching the French language through numerous offerings of classes to all ages, this French cultural center also has a great cafe with unique coffee offerings and a library filled with French books. They also host cultural events and are most recognized by the striking blue exterior of their building. Located in Parque Fernandez de Madrid. Expect to spend less than an hour, free to enter. http://alianzafrancesa.org.co/cartagena/

La Presentación

This place is an all-encompassing artisan heaven. It contains 5 art gallery spaces with rotating exhibits, a theater, a beautiful internal garden, café, small store of artisan wares, hotel, and university. Located on Calle Estanco del Aguardiente #5-63. Expect to spend less than an hour, free to enter. https://lapresentacion.art

 Cathedral and Churches

Like any good Colombian city, Cartagena has its requisite share of churches, and most notably, the Cathedral too.

The Cathedral (officially the Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa Catalina de Alejandría or Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria)

Probably the most recognizable and most photographed structure in El Centro is the highly revered Cathedral. Not to be confused with an ordinary church, a cathedral is special in that it is run by a Catholic bishop, not simply a priest. Surviving an attack by the famed Francis Drake and with over 400 years since its completion, it is still beautiful and worth a quick walk through to see the inside. There is even a bronze larger-than-life-sized statue outside of Pope John Paul II, commemorating his visit to Cartagena in the 1980s. Located on Plaza de Bolivar. Expect to spend less than half an hour, free to enter.

Santo Domingo

Apparently the oldest church in Cartagena, Santo Domingo is probably the least adorned church on the inside, but still worth a walk-through. See information above about Plaza Santo Domingo, the plaza out front of the church that bears its name. Located in Santo Domingo Plaza. Expect to spend less than half an hour, free to enter.

San Pedro Claver

See “Iglesia San Pedro Claver (San Pedro Claver Church)” under “Museums” above. This is the same location.

Santo Toribio de Magrovejo

This church is found in the San Diego neighborhood of El Centro. It is small, but bears a feature unique to any other church in Cartagena, it has a baroque-style altar carved in black lacquer and covered in gold foil. Another interesting feature is a cannonball that is preserved in a glass case. The cannonball was launched during an attack by Admiral Vernon on the city (friend to George Washington’s brother and the namesake of Mount Vernon), landed in the church during the middle of mass, and did not harm any persons or the church itself. Thus, it was deemed a sign of divine intervention and preserved. The church is not often open, but when it is, it’s worth a brief walk through. Located in Parque Fernandez de Madrid. Expect to spend less than half an hour, free to enter.

 Theater

Teatro Adolfo Mejía

Also called by the locals by its previous name, Teatro Heredia, this is a truly beautiful theater, inside and out. The outside is known by its soft pink-colored brick, and the inside contains intricate wood designs with rich red upholstery. You can take a guided or self-guided tour starting from its less obvious Calle de la Chicheria entrance around the back of the theater. Prices range from $8000 to $11000 COP (approximately $2.50 to $4 USD) depending on if you have a guide, Monday - Friday 9am to 12pm and 2:30 to 5pm. Located on Calle de La Merced #38-10. Be sure to stop by the Universidad de Cartagena Clasto de la Merced extension right next door to the theater. The courtyard has a statue of the bust of Gabriel Garcia Marquez…and half of his ashes are buried there. (The other half are buried in Mexico, the country to which he was exiled.)

 Food

Luckily, we are blessed with numerous food and restaurant choices in El Centro. This is one thing that Old Town does well. Note that dinner can be rather late here, so some restaurants do not open until after 6pm.

CHOCOLATE - Evok

The BEST Colombian chocolate that we have uncovered so far (and we have tried a lot) can be found at Evok. It is a chain, but that doesn’t detract from the flavor. Try one of their individual servings of chocolate truffles located in a glass case at their counter. They have two different levels of darkness and creamy centers of amazing flavors. Just $2500 COP per piece (approximately 75 cents USD), they are a steal. Located on Calle Santo Domingo (Carrera 3) #33-46.

PERUVIAN RESTAURANTS - Cuzco and Gran Inka

Surprisingly, one thing Cartagena has a lot of is good Peruvian food. We have tried many of them and two of our favorites are Cuzco and Gran Inka. Cuzco is a chain restaurant, but has a serene, beautiful atmosphere in the Walled City location. Plus, we have found that they have the best food. They serve sushi-type appetizers without the rice, called Bocados, that are amazing according to my husband and friends who went back a second time during their trip and ordered one of each of the 3 dishes. I always get the same dish and have now converted everyone who has visited to this dish too. The dish is called Risotto de Cilantro con Lomo Saltado. It comes in a black cauldron with a lid that they keep warm on your table with a candle. It’s a risotto dish that is nearly green with cilantro and medallions of slightly salty beef, tomatoes, and onion. It is simply delicious. Located on Calle Santo Domingo (Carrera 3) #33-48. Dinner does not start until 7pm. Reservations can be made via text on WhatsApp at +57 302 2137139, and they do speak a little bit of English.

A close second to Cuzco is Gran Inka. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, and the view onto the Plaza de Coches through their floor to ceiling glass windows is a great people-watching location. Located on the first floor of the Hotel Santa Catalina, it can be accessed from the Plaza de Coches entrance or the other entrance on Calle del Candilejo (Carrera 6) #32-62. Reservations can be made via text on WhatsApp at +57 318 4987259, and they can speak a little bit of English.

ITALIAN RESTAURANT - Wippy

As is not uncommon here, this Italian restaurant is also a cevicheria, as ceviche is abundant in Cartagena. But they also make their own homemade pasta, which is delicious. You also have the option to take any of their dishes and change the type of pasta they suggest on the menu. In fact, they provide you with a separate menu of just the pasta types which include such unique options as noodles made with cacoa (chocolate) or beet. The location is small, and we often do not make reservations before going, but rather show up and see if they have space. Located on Calle Santo Domingo (Carrera 3) #33-81 (down the street from Cuzco).

GREAT 2 FOR 1 APPETIZERS - Bourbon Street

Themed after Bourbon Street in New Orleans, this bar/restaurant is known for its 2 for 1 Happy Hour food and drinks, including hamburgers, po’ boys, chicken wings on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. I haven’t been yet, but my husband recommends them and the chicken wings and hamburgers in particular are favorites. Located on Calle 35, down the street east of Plaza Santo Domingo.

DESSERT - Donjuan

If you are desiring to hear some English in a town that mostly speaks Spanish, then head to Donjuan for dinner, and more importantly, dessert. Clearly this restaurant has been highly recommended among the English-speaking visitors because it was packed with Americans when we visited. It is a good place for dinner, but it is a GREAT place for dessert. First, of all they actually have a dessert menu, which is not often found in restaurants here, or there are just one or two items on the menu. Donjuan actually has 8 items and the Tarta de Manzana y Arequipe is amazing. It has light, buttery, layered pastry filled with apple and arequipe, which is essentially caramel. I also had the Cubos de Piña which is pieces of pineapple flambéed in rum with coconut ice cream. Simply delicious. Located on Calle del Colegio (Carrera 6) #34-60. Reservations are available on-line, but they only take them for 7:30pm and after 9:30pm. Otherwise, it’s first come, first serve.

FRESH FRUIT JUICE TO GO - Sierva Maria

This cafe sells actual meals too, but we love their fresh fruit juices. This is a great place to stop while touring the city, cool down in the air conditioning for a bit while they make your juice, and then head off again on your adventure with a juice to go (“para llevar” in Spanish). Located on Calle de las Carretas (Carrera 7) #34-34.

PANADERIA - El Pandequeso

Just around the corner and down a block from Sierva Maria is a panaderia (bakery) that you can find simply by following the smell of fresh baked sweet breads. They have various, fresh baked pastries including pan de queso (a yummy ball of dough with cheesy center and a dusting of salty yuca flour on the outside), sweet rolls with sugar sprinkled on top, chocolate rolls…and the list goes on. The prices are so cheap that you can splurge and try one of everything. Located on Calle 34, just a few blocks from the Clock Tower.

BREAKFAST - Cafe de la Mañana

Here’s a little off the beaten path favorite…Cafe de la Mañana. Located across the street from La Presentación (see above), this is an adorable little cafe with yummy food and great service. The owner is German and is recognizable from his history of leading street food tours with Cartagena Connections (a local tour company who is also a favorite of ours). Located on Calle Estanco del Aguardiente #5-80. Their hours hover around 8am to 2pm and they are closed on Tuesday.

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH - El Barón

Ok, so normally one wouldn’t think of “grilled cheese sandwich” as a food category, but El Barón’s grilled cheese sandwich is good enough to deserve their own category. El Barón is actually a fabulous cocktail bar, well-known for their mixed drinks. They have limited seating inside and plenty of umbrella-covered cafe tables in Plaza San Pedro Claver outside. And, be sure to read their “rules” for eating at their establishment, which can be found in the front cover of the menu. You’ll chuckle. Located on Plaza San Pedro Claver (Carrera 4 #31-7). Sunday and Monday they do not open until 5pm, and the rest of the week they open at noon.

PIE - Mila Postres

Is Pie it’s own category? Yes, yes it is. Especially in Colombia where they do not quite understand the concept of pie as a dessert. Their “pies” are often filled with meat. So, to find a restaurant that serves good ol’fashioned sweet pies is a treat. Our friend who is a key lime pie aficionado, loves their version. Oh, and they have a long glass display case filled with various other confections too. Located on Calle de la Iglesia #35-76.

HAMBURGERS - La Tumbamuertos Burger Bar

Surprisingly, there are a lot of places that serve burgers in Cartagena, but this is our favorite. The place is cute, with seating inside and out, and it’s family-owned. The bread they use for their buns is delicious. And I actually like their veggie burger. Check out their Instagram page too and you might just see yours truly… Located on Calle 39 #8-34, right on Plaza de San Diego.

ARGENTINEAN - Quebracho Parilla Argentina

Good food, great smells, great atmosphere, and great staff. They actually have a full pig rotating over the fire too. And you’ll enjoy seeing their towering candles with their layers upon layers of melted wax dripping down the sides. Oh, and stay for the live music too. Located on Calle Baloco (Calle 33) #2-69.

SMOOTHIES - La Divinidad

I am beyond excited that La Divinidad now has a location in El Centro. Owned by a sweet couple, their first location is in the Bocagrande neighborhood and is a regular haunt for us locals. But now we can enjoy their delicious smoothies, juices, and smoothie bowls while tooling around Old Town too. Their shop is always clean, the ingredients are fresh, and the water they use is trustworthy (which cannot always be said for juice , smoothie or ice cream establishments in El Centro). My favorite is the Pinkberry Smoothie bowl. Each bowl is topped with either strawberries or kiwi, granola, and two toppings of your choosing. My favorites are chocolate chips and chia seeds. Located on Calle Gastelbondo (Calle 36).

COFFEE

I don’t drink coffee, so I’m hesitant to recommend any places. But, El Centro is full of great cafes. You pretty much can’t go wrong with the local places like Epoca (two locations in El Centro), Abaco Libros Y Café (a bookstore and cafe), or Se Volvió Prispi (has delicious chocolate coffee). Plus, there are plenty of the chain Juan Valdez in El Centro too (which are great places to use their bathrooms. Maybe just buy a little something first.)

 Shopping

El Centro is replete with vendors hawking their wears along various parts of the wall or in the squares. Plus, there are plenty of stores and most are open from about 10am to 9pm.

MOCHILA BAGS - Arte Wayuu

Located along the southeast portion of the wall near the Plaza de Santa Teresa there is a vendor selling numerous Mochila bags, the woven bags that are popular around here. His name is Martin Quintero and his business is Arte Wayuu. I have found him to have the best designs at the most reasonable prices.

WOVEN BRACELETS AND OTHER HANDMADE JEWELRY

As mentioned above, the vendors that fill the Plaza de San Diego after dark are a great place to find woven and leather bracelets.

HIGH-END SHOPPING - La Serrezuela

A new shopping mall just opened in El Centro and it is beautiful! Built in the location of the historic bull ring, the mall houses high-end stores and many restaurants. Plus, the main attraction is the bull ring itself located in the center of the mall. It is three stories of beautifully decorative wood, with an open roof and a fountain in the center of the floor that sprays water to light and music (think very, very small scale Bellagio hotel-type fountain). Currently there are not many stores open in the mall, but likely be the end of 2019, it should be full. Located on the corner of Calle de la Serrezuela and Carrera 11.

LOCAL WARES - Casa Abba

The small entranceway of this store opens up to a large inner room filled with several vendors, each with their own designated area to sell their products. So, in this one store you can find hand-painted shoes and purses, handmade jewelry, paintings, bathing suits…the list goes on, all in a brightly lit and beautifully decorated space. One of the vendors that is close to my heart is República Alegría. The artisan sells handmade stuffed animals, with articulated limbs, fully hand-sown outfits, and a complete backstory of each animal’s life in the fantasy land of República Alegría. Located on Calle 35 near Plaza Santo Domingo.

INTERNATIONAL WARES - Casa Chiqui

This store is a treasure trove of cool stuff. Gathered from all over the world, including a heavy presence from India, they have jewelry, beautiful wooden furniture, handmade purses, heaps of beaded pillow shams, dinner ware, statues, vases, and various other home decor that you didn’t know you needed. A printed sign on the front window of the shop states “Your husband called, he said to buy anything you want!” So true. Located on Calle de la Universidad (Carrera 6) #36-127, just north of the University of Cartagena campus, and on the same side of the street. Oh, and if the door is locked, just be patient, they will come open it for you when they see you standing outside.

COLOMBIAN HANDCRAFTS - El Centro Artesano

You can feel great about buying anything from this store because they are dedicated to protecting the traditions of Colombian hand crafts. This is a good location to find woven goods, handmade pottery, carved wooden bowls and utensils, etc. The items can sometimes be priced higher than other versions found in other stores or from vendors on the street, but this store works directly with the artists to provide training and support in all stages of their production process. Plus, this space has some surprising additions if you’re nosy enough to walk through the store and out the back…it has a coffee shop, a second room containing more wares for sale, and a back room that often is showcasing background information on one of the hand crafts. Located on Calle de la Universidad (Carrera 6) #36-121, next door to Casa Chiqui.

CERAMIC PINEAPPLES AND WOVEN BRACELETS - Territorio

Did I get your attention? Ceramic pineapples, you say? Yep. A trip through El Centro will expose you to numerous stores selling various tropical fruit sculptures. My favorite is the ceramic pineapples found at Territorio. This is a high-end Colombian artisan store, often with the prices to prove it. But you can’t go wrong with the uniqueness of their goods and their quality. There are actually three Territorios in El Centro. Ceramic pineapples can be found at the store on Calle de Ayos (Calle 35) #4-29. Beautifully delicate handwoven bracelets, some with beads, some without, can be found at their location on Calle de la Mantilla (Calle 36) #3-77. There are a lot of stores and vendors selling handwoven bracelets, but I’ve consistently found beautifully made ones at this location.

LEATHER GOODS - Vélez

Vélez is a major chain store and can be found in just about every shopping mall, but that doesn’t detract from the quality of its goods. They have beautiful shoes, for both men and women, satchels, travel bags, briefcases, and wallets, as examples. Located on the corner of Calle de la Iglesia and Calle 35, you can’t miss their blue painted building.

CREATIVE WARES - La Tienda del Museo

I love the gift shops of Modern Art museums, they usually have such unique items for sale. Well, the store next to the Museo de Arte Moderno doesn’t disappoint. But, what I really love is that their prices are surprisingly reasonable. So, if you’re on the hunt for a unique Colombian-made trinket that likely can’t be found anywhere else in El Centro, check out La Tienda del Museo. Located next door to the Museo de Arte Moderno in Plaza San Pedro Claver.

ANTIQUE STORE - El Arcon

I am willing to share with you information about a store that is a real treasure in El Centro, and not very well known to visitors…El Arcon. The smell of an antique store, which I’m sure you know exactly what I mean, greets you first from the street. The door to the store will probably be closed, and maybe gated, but be sure to knock and be patient for them to open it. This store is filled with some fun and unique items that are great reminders of the Old City including loads of door knockers like the ones you’ll see adorning just about every wooden door. Unfortunately, the antique door knockers are long lost, but the molds remain and are used to cast the ones found at this store. They have them both large and small, including mermaids, fish, octopi, lion heads, and lizards. They also sell antique cannon balls, like the ones once used in the cannons adorning the wall. They may not be great for keeping your suitcase weighing less than 50 pounds, but well worth the cool factor. Located on Calle del Camposanto #9-46 in the San Diego neighborhood in El Centro.

UNIQUE WARES - 408 Colectivo Artesanal

This store has a great variety of well-made, unique stuff. They sell jewelry, wooden watches, woven shawls, and printed leather wallets, among other items. El Centro has plenty of knick knack, touristy stores filled with the same things, over and over again, and I just appreciate this store for its quality and distinctiveness. Located on Calle 35, just down the street from Vélez and Territorio.

PURSES MADE FROM VENEZUELAN MONEY - David and Keber

If you are looking for a unique gift when visiting El Centro, look no further. Two brothers, David and Keber, make beautiful purses and wallets by weaving Venezuelan paper money. These brothers have found a source of income to support themselves and their family back in Venezuela using the now defunct bills, and it is beautifully done too. They travel around to various locations along the wall but can usually be found among the line of vendors stationed outside the Cathefral or at any of the artisan fairs that pop up now and again in the Old City. Follow them on Instagram.

COLOMBIAN ART WITH A SOCIAL CAUSE - Duran Design Studios

In a bright white shop in an inconspicuous area of El Centro you can find Duran Design Studio filled with beautifully pieces. They have purses, wall art, woven home decor, etc. And all of the pieces are handmade and the store supports many artisan families. Located on Calle Cochera del Gobernador #33-10.

 Bathrooms

A very important piece of information to know is where the bathrooms are located. Most restaurants have some version of a bathroom, if you are a patron of the restaurant. But, if you need one while walking through the streets there are public bathrooms in the front of the city in the wall by the Clock Tower (cost is $1200 COP) or in the rear of the city in the Plaza de Las Bovedas (cost is $1200 COP). Plus, you can often sneak into one of the many Juan Valdez coffee shops to use their bathrooms too. One other very important tip…when using the public bathrooms, be sure to grab your toilet paper BEFORE you go into the stall. Yeah, that’s a thing here.

 Parking

Taxis are plenty to and from El Centro, but if you do decide to drive, there is a gated, well lit, and safe parking lot located at the Parque La Marina. The cost is approximately $8000 COP per hour (about $2.50 USD per hour).

Did We Miss Anything?

So, that’s our current list. If you have any additional favorites in El Centro, please be sure to leave a comment. We love to find new treasures.

Updated September 27, 2019

[leedsmc]

I just added this listing on Poshmark: Wayuu Mochila.

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20 Celebrities that love ethnic Wayuu Bags, #9 and #15 will shock you!

20 Celebrities that love ethnic Wayuu Bags, #9 and #15 will shock you!

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Slider_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] #1 Shakira

Evidently, Shakira as a Colombian and overall as a “costeña” (coastal) has an extensive collection of Wayuu bags, and we get to see them from time to time. The most iconic picture is the one with her beautiful baby and the bright blue Wayuu mochila bag.

#2 Sofia Vergara

Like a good…

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2018 Hot Sale Women General Leather Handbags Europe & American Style Cowhide Women Bag Handle Cross-body Package

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[mymochilatrip]

Did you know that Colombian and Romanian flags have similar colors, with different order and shades of it? The Romanian flag consists of 3 vertical lines of equal lenght with colors (from flagpole): cobalt blue, chrome yellow, and vermillion red. 

The Colombian flag consists of 3 horizontal lines of colors: metallic yellow, dark powdered blue, and Philippine red. The yellow strip covers the same are of the blue and red stripes. 

In the Romanian flag the blue stripe signifies: freedom, the yellow stripe: justice, and the red stripe: fraternity. In the Colombian flag, the yellow stripe signifies: our wealths (in gold, soil, nature, people), the blue stripe represents our two oceans, and rivers, and our blue skies, and the red stripe: the blood spilled during independence and the resilience of our people.

Pretty cool stuff to discover!

Check out our Wayuu Mochila bags, and see if any calls to you:

https://mymochilatrip.wixsite.com/home/questions

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Știați ca steagul american și cel Columbian se aseamănă, dar au alta ordine și alte nuanțe? Steagul românesc are 3 linii verticale in roșu, galben și albastru. Steagul columbian are 3 dungi orizontale: galben metalic, albastru închis, și roșu. 

In steagul românesc dunga albastra înseamnă libertate, cea Galbena justiție, și cea roșie fraternitate. In steagul columbian cea Galbena înseamnă bogăție (cea a pământului), cea albastra reprezintă oceanele, și cea roșie sângele vărsat și puterea oamenilor ce locuiesc aici.  

A fost interesant sa descoper aceste lucruri/

Vezi gentile noastre mochila și poate te atrage una dintre ele! 

https://mymochilatrip.wixsite.com/home/questions

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[lorebrian15]

I just added this listing on Poshmark: Handcrafted Crochet Bag Mochila.