The Sharks of Cartagena: Cartagena, Columbia

First Port on the 15 Day Celebrity Millennium Cruise:

Cartagena, Columbia

 Beware the Vicious Two-Legged Sharks

Cartagena is a beautiful city rich in history, but infested with sharks. That's right you heard correct, the city of Cartagena in the country of Columbia is infested with sharks, sharks that have voracious appetites for your attention and wallet. 

From the second your bus makes a stop, vendors are waiting and begin to swarm by the door attempting to sell you their "unique handmade/hand drawn" goods that every other vendor in a 20 foot radius will also have, shoving them in your face and occasionally trying to put things like hats on you. It was virtually impossible to walk more than 2 minutes while outdoors without hearing "Lady! Lady! Lady!" followed by some price which will drastically drop as your walk away, oh and your tour guide will most likely encourage this unceasing onslaught.

Unfortunately, I don't quite remember much of the history I learned while at the Fortress Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, nor much while at the Inquisition Palace, because most of the time I was distracted by vendors (with whom I eventually just turned a blind eye to), or from the oppressing heat and humidity, and our tour guide's love for the often repeated phrase "Do you understand what I am saying?" I should also mention that our tour guide was a bit of unsavory and made me feel entirely uncomfortable, starting the day off with him placing the tour sticker in the no fly zone section area of my chest.

Overall, I would have to say this was definitely my least favorite port of call while on our Celebrity cruise, mainly because of the obnoxious and bold attitude of the street vendors left me tired and unable to really take anything in. It is indeed a beautiful city to be experienced, but you must constantly be on your guard with all the people constantly trying to sell you their "unique" and "hand made" replicated souvenirs. I hope to one day be able to go back and not get accosted by the sharks of Cartagena.

**I should also add that thanks to the United States Secret Service's not so secret discretion is now a highlight on the tour which includes a drive by the hotel where their actions took place not so long ago. 

Traveling About

I've been with limited internet connectivity so I haven't been able to update as much as I'd like, but I assure you once I'm back in the country, I shall I do full updates on the ship, The Celebrity Millenium and the countries I've visited, but for now:

Southern Baptist Sissies

Last night I was able to see and shoot the off Broadway play, Southern Baptist Sissies at the June Havoc Theater in New York City. Directed by Elmer King, the story focuses on four young gay boys in a small Texas town where life revolves around the Baptist Church and its teachings.

There are moments of levity, however it mostly centers on the boys dealing with the conflicting ideology of the Church versus the person they are becoming and what their heart and mind says is right. The Baptists call them sissies who need to find Jesus and save their soul and spread a hateful message of those who oppose their teachings. Some of the boys fight the teachings and embrace who they are while others struggle and suffer at the hands of hate-fueled rantings of the close-minded.

It's a poignant and often moving story with bits of comedic moments that lighten the mood. If you're in the area stop by to see this play, the acting is superb and you'll walk away with a little more hope for the human race.

 

 

 

For more information on where you can see Southern Baptist Sissies and buy tickets, click here. 

Killing Time

Killing time between picking up some prints at that fabulous Adorama camera store and trivia night at the nerd-tastic Way Station bar in Brooklyn (team Tardi-bunny came in third with a round of free drinks!), I decided to grab a friend and waltz around the city taking photos. Highlights included the High Line Park, an old elevated rail line that was eventually abandoned, saved and rehabbed into a public park (similar to the Walkway Over the Hudson Park located in Poughkeepsie, NY), Battery Park and the entrance National Museum of the American Indian.

A little over a century ago this very spot (the two photos shown below) was filled with hundreds of men, women and children all waiting to see if their loved ones had survived or perished within the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the early morning hours of April 15th, 1912. Now just a Subway restaurant, this used to be the location of White Star Line's New York offices and after news of the Titanic's sinking hit, family members of both the crew and passengers on board, flocked to the White Star Line's office where the company would continually keep the public updated with news about the survivors and victims.

You can read more about Titanic related landmarks in and around NYC by visiting here.

Cunard was once the competitor to White Star Line, and were located just a couple of doors down on Broadway. Eventually White Star Line was acquired by Cunard and they are still operating today as a successful luxury cruise line with such ships as the Queen Mary II and the Queen Elizabeth.