We ventured outside the fabled Walled City and explored the other district of Old Cartagena – Getsemani. While it does not possess the grandeur of the Walled City, Getsamani offers a more authentic Old Cartagena experience as it is a neighborhood where local families still live and where Colombian hospitality is still very much alive. It is also where artistry thrives.
It is also interesting to note that Getsamani, an old working class colonial neighborhood, is now emerging as a hotspot for dining and nightlife. So you’ll get both the authenticity and fun. But just how much longer may this authenticity last?
See Colors
The homes in Getsemani may not be as grand as the ones in the Walled City but you will find that they are just as colorful and the details are just as fascinating.
The colorful Plaza Santisma Trinidad is a popular gathering place for locals.
See Creativity
Getsamani is filled with expressions of artistry. You will be delighted by many beautiful murals as you meander its narrow streets.
A man sitting next to a painting of his likeness.
Meet Friendly Locals
You will find many food vendors in the street of Getsamani selling local delicacies like arepa con huevo, a corn pancake filled with eggs.
And where there is arepa, you will meet laid back locals just hanging around and enjoying the delicacy.
Keith sitting with friendly locals while devouring his arepa.
We came across some residents who were enjoying their Sunday morning by playing cards in the middle of a narrow street.
More street games and good natured competition.
Experience the Gentrification
This once poor and seedy neighborhood is fast emerging as a trendy spot offering variety of dining, nightlife and lodging options.
Many locals have been selling their homes to foreigners who convert them to guesthouses or boutique hotels. We learned that a home here that a local paid for US$50,0000 few years ago was recently recently bought by a foreign investor for US$400,000. Who wouldn’t be lured?
Will it suffer the same fate as the Walled City where almost all residents took advantage of the skyrocketing property value, cashed in and moved out of the neighborhood?
We just hope that Getsamani retains its charming and soulful vibe amidst the imminent gentrification. And we hope you hurry up and visit this neighborhood soon.
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Linking to Travel Photo Thursday, Photo Friday and Weekend Travel Inspiration.
Oh lord I am a sucker for the colorful Spanish colonial architecture and this place is right up my alley. Thank you for taking me to a different place every time.
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Hi Maria, our pleasure. I’m sure you will enjoy a visit to Old Cartagena if you love Spanish colonial places.
Love the card table and games photos, but my favourite is keith eating Arepa with the gang. Great photos!
Thanks Jan. He really enjoyed hanging out with the gang.
I am one of those who prefer to see locals benefiting from tourism dollars. So bad, the city government do not provide mediums to create local businesses or promote local arts and culture. To me, an area like that is more attractive that more of the same we can find in big cities. This is a beautiful area. Hope it continues to retain that unique local flavor.
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Hi Ruth, I agree. It;s nice to see a place progress if locals benefit from it. A support from the government to create local business would be ideal, but as it is most of the new businesses opening are owned by non-locals.
Whenever I travel, I make sure to socialize with the locals to learn our culture.
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Hi Matthew, that’s great. Interaction with locals is one of the most rewarding travel experience.
I do love the very small town feel of it. I do hope it won’t suffer the same fate as the Walled City though. :-/
Hi Noemi, I hope so too,
I just took a lot of mural photos in Casco Veijo, Panama. I really enjoyed yours as well.
Hi Sharon, thanks. I’d like to check out your Casco Viejo images.
It’s been years since we’ve been to Cartagena but I would love to see these murals.
Hi Jackie, Cartagena is fast a changing. I hope you can visit again soon.
First – awesome name for your blog :). Second, the photography in this post is excellent. Finally, gotta pay respect and love to those street artists for bringing so much color to this part of town
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Hi Hung, thanks!
The painted buildings are just lovely to see, with each part a different color! Definitely a laid-back place. Love your photos.
bettyl-NZ recently posted..Historic Ophir
Hi Betty, yes they were really lovely. Thanks.
Canillg all cars, calling all cars, we’re ready to make a deal.
I LOVE the street art, amazing stuff.
Mollyxxx
Thanks for stopping by, Molly.
Love all the color, and what an interesting area. The locals look to be happy and very friendly. Great shot of Keith and the “gang”.
Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
Hi Nancie, the locals were truly wonderful. They made our visit more memorable.
Marisol, Everything about this post has me drooling to go. From the street art to the arepa to the friendly locals. What fun!
Hi Corinne, I’m sure you and Jim will enjoy a visit to Cartagena.
As tourism industry grows, authenticity is indeed becoming a commodity because, to be honest, we all look for it when we travel, don’t we? However I do hope that places like Getsemani won’t be overrun by overcommercialization and able to retain its charm, the very reason for people to come.
Hi Bama, I guess for true “travelers” like us authenticity does matter a lot. Sadly, “tourists” feeds into overcommercialization and you know what happens…..
Hi Marisol! We went to Cartagena and visited Gestemani last fall as well as part of a food tour. It was one of our most memorable experiences during our trip. I have yet to write about it on the blog. Like you, I hope that gentrification doesn’t ruin the neighborhood’s authentic charm. As always, your pictures are beautiful.
Hi Dana, thanks. We also did the food tour and it was a lot of fun.
I love the culture out there, truly amazing
The people out there are really kind.
I really like the paintings on the wall its just wonderfullll
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So soulful, colorful and vibrant too bad it may all be lost in the gentrification. Great pics too
Love those paintings on the wall, those are really fantastic..!!!
Whoaaaaaa…!
What a fabulous art there, truly fantastic
and yeah the people look quite cool and calm
Cheers
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This article is incredible with much information on this subject. I have not seen photos of this city in such a high resolution, very incredible and amazing this city is.
Hello. I like this post. I am scheduled to travel to Cartagena between late November and December. I am a photo enthusiast, and thus love capturing the entirety of any place, and its people, that I visit. Do you have any tips for me? And, since I will be there for one full week, I plan to only visit Cartagena and closely surrounding areas. Any tips with that regard? Also, can you recommend a local guide who can alert me to points of interests from a local’s perspective? I like having locals help me because they can benefit financially from helping tourists. Thanks. Alvin