Cartagena is a city that hums with life. The heat presses against you as you wander through its vibrant streets, where the Caribbean influence comes alive in the colors, the rhythms, and the architecture. The walled city, with its historic charm and stunning facades, draws you in, but my favorite moments came from exploring beyond the tourist paths—especially the Bazurto Market. Chaotic, raw, and full of life, it felt like the true heartbeat of the city.
Growing up, my father often played a song called “Cartagena de Indias.” Even now, whenever someone says the word “Cartagena,” I can hear the melody in my head. This trip was part of a longer six-week journey and my first time returning to Colombia since leaving as a child.
Cartagena didn’t feel like home, but it had its own kind of magic. It was a place full of vibrancy and contrasts—at once familiar and entirely new. Photographing it became less about finding connection and more about celebrating the energy, the textures, and the stories woven into every corner of the city.
Cartagena de Indias
Cartagena is a city that hums with life. The heat presses against you as you wander through its vibrant streets, where the Caribbean influence comes alive in the colors, the rhythms, and the architecture. The walled city, with its historic charm and stunning facades, draws you in, but my favorite moments came from exploring beyond the tourist paths—especially the Bazurto Market. Chaotic, raw, and full of life, it felt like the true heartbeat of the city.
Growing up, my father often played a song called “Cartagena de Indias.” Even now, whenever someone says the word “Cartagena,” I can hear the melody in my head. This trip was part of a longer six-week journey and my first time returning to Colombia since leaving as a child.
Cartagena didn’t feel like home, but it had its own kind of magic. It was a place full of vibrancy and contrasts—at once familiar and entirely new. Photographing it became less about finding connection and more about celebrating the energy, the textures, and the stories woven into every corner of the city.
Cartagena de Indias
