Cartagena: Between slum and potential
Cartagena, or Cartagena de Indias as the city’s full name goes, does not leave anyone without impressions.
After a flight from Bogota, lasting a little over an hour, offering some magnificent views of immense jungle, numerous lakes and the Magdalena River, the Avianca MD83 was approaching Cartagena.
Cartagena accomodates Colombia’s second largest seaport, important for oil exports and trade. Descending toward the airport, it was therefore no surprise to see ships and containers.
But the view of extensive slum areas is breathtaking. The attached photo gives you an idea of how a lot of people in Cartagena - and other cities - have to live their lives. Apart from that, the photo also gives a hint of the local economy: cheap labor and a rough struggle for survival.
At the same time Cartagena represents a hispanic history dating back to 1533. And this history, expressed in the the well-preserved old town and the famous, surrounding walls, represents an enormous potential for the tourism industry. I bet that Cartagena soon will be a common place to visit for many more travelers than today.
Anders
