Cartagena at Sunrise

A few months ago, the stars aligned, and led me to win a free Jet Blue ticket that would take me anywhere in the continental US and a few places in Latin America. All I knew was that I wanted to go somewhere I’d never been before, and as far as the tickets would get me. For a while it seemed like the tickets would go to waste, as vacation plans just seemed to be falling through. Then the stars sprang into motion again, lighting a path to the home of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar: COLOMBIA.

I landed in Bogota to a cool rainy night, cranky from 14 hours of travel, wishing for nothing but a hot meal, and a warm bed. After a brief adventure in being homeless on the rumored yay-ridden streets of Bogota, we found shelter under the roof of higher end hostel: Casa Platypus. Booking in advance was not the name of the game on this trip. The hotel/hostel featured an adorable staff, a healthy and hearty breakfast, and some of the most interesting people you’ll probably ever meet in your life.

Within a few hours of waking up and a brief trek to Casa Museo Quinta Bolivar, we were jet-setting to the coastal destination of Cartagena. A town sitting on the Caribbean sea, deeply infused with Afro-caribbean culture, and an architecture that served as the sensuous backdrop for Love in the Time of Cholera.

With the original intent to settle for an AC and window free Hotel Familiar, a quick stroll through the steamy streets of Gestemani led us to quickly upgraded to the quaint, and cooler La Casona.

Looks can be deceiving: Paella @ La Cevicheria

Our first night in Cartagena brought us directly to the obvious tourist dine out of La Cevicheria. A ceviche spot consecrated by a visit from No Reservations host, Anthony Bourdain. Maybe we made a bad decision by ordering the paella at a place known for its ceviche, but while the food was edible and quite tasty, the chewy lobster, and squid, left much to be desired. Our post dinner exploration took us through various plazas of the Old City, and eventually to Cafe del Mar an outdoor bar, sitting on the 16th century wall built to protect the city. The bar fittingly played lounge music, to accompany its mellow crowd enjoying the cool breeze and panoramic views of Cartagena.

On day 2 we found ourselves stuck in a monsoon on the beautiful Playa Blanca. As we were new to the whole booking tours thing, we found ourselves on a 3 hour boat ride to the Isla del Rosario, with a drag race and a Michael Jackson impersonator for entertainment, who’s gratis lap dance I fell victim to. As we arrived on the coast soaking wet, we were hardly able to appreciate the beach’s beauty as we were too busy gobbling down our now wet, but delicious lunch that we came to find out was included on every tour package, and was the same every time: grilled fish, maduros, coconut rice, and veggies we never touched.

La Playa Blanca: Still beautiful on a rainy day

From the minute we got on the beach to us leaving we were swarmed with locals selling everything from scuba gear, to massages which I gladly indulged in at $4 bucks a pop (and by massage I mean lotion rubdowns, and yes I know I took advantage of the system.)

It was kinda cool attempting to have a conversation with the locals even though the language barrier interfered.

Baby Volcano: EL Volcan Del Tutomo

Day 3 brought us to the first thing that initially drew my attention to the country. El Volcan del Totumo. A baby volcano that according to legend was once filled with lava, and apparently the devil’s digs, until a priest would come and splash holy water into it, and then poof, the lava turned to mud, which in turn drowned Beelzebub, turning the volcano into a hot spot where tourist come and soak in the mud and all its minerals.

Once in the mud, we were privy to another Cartagena style rubdown from the affectionately termed mud people (I came up with that), and after about 30 minutes of trying to sink to the bottom, and splashing unassuming strangers, we were sent of to the lake at the bottom, to be washed off by some women, and bathing suits did come off.

One with the Mud Peeps

At night we turned to our Lonely Planet guidebook and stumbled across Restaurante El Santissimo. A beautifully decorated casual dining place that pairs meals with a variety of wines and that also gave me one of the best dining experiences ever. For about $55,000 pesos (roughly 26 dollars) we got an appetizer, entree, and dessert along with 3 hours of open bar. The highlight of my entree was the Obatala, which is a beef cooked for a couple hours in its own juices and a number of spices I couldn’t recognize. The delicious carcass was served up with caramelized bananas, coconut rice (of course) and an avocado and tomato salad. My mouth just started watering again.

Obatala: Sent from heaven.

El Santissimo: The best deal I've ever had

Day 4 brought us back to La Playa Blanca with a blazing sun. Check the difference:

Sunshine @ La Playa Blanca

I call this the Calm

Upon our return, our attempt to take a rejuvenating nap in preparation for one last crazy night out, ended in a 6 am wake up time, lol. Which wasn’t that bad. We ended up taking advantage of the empty streets of Cartagena discovering the Old city, breaking bread at the Sofitel Santa Clara with a toucan bird, checking out a Seminary at the highest point in the city, and giving a self guided tour of the Castle San Felipe.

Breaking bread with the birds

It was definitely sad saying by to the warm Carribean breeze of Cartagena, but I wasn’t mad at cooling of in the streets of Bogota. Upon our arrival we made our way to Musicology Hostel. Some super friendly digs, with happy hour specials (strictly rum, vodka, and random bottles of Johnny Walker Black) with each room named after a genre, and residents serving as workers. After settling in we decided to hit the town. We found ourselves at what I believe was the Bogota Beer Company. Super crowded  and high energy, despite us getting there really late. In a place where hip hop isn’t the norm at bars, your next favorite genre quickly becomes dance/techno/anything with english words (see: David Guetta.)

I became obsessed with this song, and danced to it like it was the jam!

One of the coolest/most gruesome things I got to do, was the event that took place the next day at Plaza del Toros. My last day in Colombia was comprised of watching a bunch of bulls get slaughtered at a bull fight. I really thought the bulls simply passed out, I didn’t realize they got hacked to death. The scene was out of a movie, but there was only so much we could take.

Toroooo!

The event made us hungry for hamburgers, go figure. We headed over to the gourmet version of the Colombian burger chain Gourmet Hambuguesa Del Corral, where we had to pick from FIFTY different types of burgers.

There’s so many other cities in Colombia I’m now curious to visit. With Colombia currently trying to revamp its rep from Yay-heaven to prime tourist destination, ticket prices are super low, so if you ever wanted to take a walk on the wildside (its not that wild) then Colombia it is! Viva Bolivar!

If you remember Lupe’s “Hip Hop Saved My Life” then you undoubtedly remember the voice singing the hook. Nikki Jean breathy vocals caught my attention, and I was fortunate to hear more just last week at the Delancey. I believe her album drops in the fall, so check out the video above, and support her cause. She just seems too nice not to succeed. Enjoy!

Last night my plan was go to Williamsburg Hall of Music, then go to bed early. Unfortunately the not-so-nice owners of space had different plans. The show put on by super star promotions group Timeless NYC had to be relocated, and for the better. We found ourselves in the intimate confines of a Tribeca gallery, hypnotized by the magnetic confidence of Zoe Kravitz. Above she covers the late and great Rick James smash “Super Freak”. She gets it from her Daddy!

So I know I haven’t posted anything in a while. So I’m making my return to Nosalikes :) count. Tonight a very special event will be happening with writer/overall great person Shawn Lawrence James hosting Timeless NYC at the Delancey, NYC. Excited to check out Zoe Kravitz sing, and have Curtis Santiago meet the high expectations set by Mr. Lawrence.

So if you have the time, come through for some drinks, and hits.

:)

With a shared Creole culture and history, the communities in New Orleans and Haiti have both been victim to natural disaster.

Please join us for drinks on Sunday, April 25th at the Delancey Lounge. With music that shakes your soul from DJ Treats, DJette Luna Vega, and Kraff Swagger, and delicious cocktails from New Orleans’ own Sazerac Rye Whiskey, and Haiti’s Rhum Barbancourt.

100% of funds raised will go to United Saints Recovery Project (www.unitedsaints.org), New Orleans and SOS Children’s Village in Haiti (http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/pages/default.aspx).

Hope to see you there!

Sunday, April 25th
The Delancey
168 Delancey Street,
New York, NY 10002
7pm-11pm
5 bucks before 8pm, 10 after

Can’t make it? We’ll still take your money! Please click on the donate button to make payments through paypal!

Click here to make a donation!

Tiger returned to golf today, but not before Nike, his most loyal sponsor aired this commercial. The voice heard here is that of Tiger’s late father, inquiring into Tiger’s decision making process. Personally I think this is brilliant. The company acknowledges the scandal, however they are showing Tiger in a conversation with his dad, or what could be considered conscience. In my opinion, it seems to speak to the fact that in sports or in our every day lives, when its over and the lights go out, the only person left to answer to is the voice of our conscience. I hope Tiger kicks ass on the green today. What do you think?

So I spent a very intense weekend at Columbia University, covering the African Economic Forum…go ahead an laugh! It was such an inspiring event, and I felt like everyone in the room was about to run home and purchase one way tickets back home. Yeah, it was that good. Other than meeting a ton of great people, I ran into James Branson who introduced me to Of Rags. Check out the hoodie above you know you wants in. Below is more info on the fair-trade company. Fashion for a cause…me likey!

Two young designers, RAAM, a Ghanaian, and J. Branson, an American,
founded Of Rags in 2009 with the idea of making clothing that makes a difference.

Not only is each item from Of Rags a unique work of art handmade in fair trade conditions; in addition, 40% of the profits benefit The Of Rags Foundation, a non-profit organization and tool for the sustainable development of public health and education initiatives.
The Foundation is currently partnered with a school for children with special educational needs in Accra, Ghana in order to establish a much needed scholarship program.

Of Rags is the product of globalization.
Of Rags aims to globalize the localized. Of Rags’ clothing is art.
Of Rags’ mission is hope. But most of all, Of Rags is what you make of it.

Apparently Makmende is a trending topic in Kenya, as experimental group Just a Band (not to be confused with french electro duo Just A Band), revived the Kenyan 70s hero, through their new video for Ha-He. This is the first I’ve heard of either but, its already on repeat, and I figured I’d share.

I’m usually adverse to online shopping, as a girl who needs to feel fabric on my skin, and take glance in the mirror a hundred times, in a million different poses. However, on this on Asos.com might change my mind. Asos has created The Barbie Lounge, featuring our favorite doll in several versions of the little black dress. Wait it gets better! Not only can you buy the dolls, but you can buy lifesize cuts for yourself, and these dresses are superfly. Now everyone can be a Barbie girl.

While your at it check out Asos Africa.