Cartagena De Indias: The City of Hapinness

Sindy Isabel Herrera Barbosa

English V

CARTAGENA DE INDIAS: THE CITY OF HAPPINESS

Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful cities of the Colombian Caribbean coast, and magic is the best word to describe it. It has turned into obliged step of many tourists who visit the country, because this walled city is famous all over the world due to its history, its colonial style, its gastronomy, but above all for the warmth of people that live here.

However, the authentic city where people live and work may be beyond the walls. In spite of the problems of any nature Cartagena can confront, as any other town of the country, vistors will never see to cartageneros complaining, worried or reneging by the difficulties they encounter. That is why the majority of those that were born here have certain characteristics which make them very special. They possess a charism and a natural happiness that will definitely make feel welcome to anyone that visiting the city.

With the natural exceptions that might exist, people of Cartagena as a general rule, are attentive and helpful. The vast majority of taxi drivers stand out for their kindness with both cartageneros as with tourists. Another example is the guild "Carretilleros" that sell manioc, yam, banana or fruits on the street, and in spite of being throughout the day, under the relentless sun of Cartagena, should always give their best smile. They know all the "home-loving" or "bosses" and, although they have thousands of problems are always happy, because they "enjoy life".

There are many cases of foreigners who have come to Cartagena to work temporarily and then they do not want to go, for them to be in Cartagena is like being in a paradise, and not just because it is a very nice city, also influences the way of being open and uncomplicated of its inhabitants.

There are those who criticize cartageneros because they say that in Cartagena everything is a folklore, everything is celebration, and that is when a question arises: What is wrong in being cheerful? The fact that people loves rumba and parties does not necessarily mean that they are not going to work, they are not enterprising, they are not responsible or they do not worry about earn a living.