American living in Santa Marta

@Lpdiver my friend, a Colombian from Manizales almost died from eating ceviche on the Beach in Santa Marta.

I ate ceviche same time as him at the same beach shack but was unaffected that time.

Another time in Santa Marta we ate fish in a restaurante in Santa Marta and I got quite sick, lost about 3 kg. in a couple days.

Only time myself or people I know personally have ever been sick due to food or water consumption anywhere in Colombia.

Yes the water on the coast is some of the worst in Colombia.

Interesting reads/comments about the coast and Santa Marta in particular.

I live in Medellin (6 yrs now) but spend weeks/months on the coast, I have been everywhere, and just in the past 2 years have gotten so ill from eating sea food both in Santa Marta historic district, Rodadero and Taganga, was in bed for about 4 solid days each time and was so ill that could barely find my way to make 5 steps to the bathroom from my bed.....so no more sea food or swimming in the Santa Marta bay for this gringo.

@South American Voyager It was probably a year before I could stomach the though of shrimp back in the states. And dis here Cajun loves me some shrimps! Like I said, when I go back it will be beer and very careful selection on the menu.

Now on the trip to Cuidad Perdida they had some sort of water purification system set up at each of the camps and I suffered no ills.

lpd

I drank the water in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Normally above 2500 m, but still noticed cow dung everywhere

We sometimes boiled it, but didnt always , but usually filtered it.

I asked my mountain guide from Suesca if it was safe, he said yes, well anyway, things turned out OK

I guess my stomach has been toughened up.from.living and travelling  all.over the world my whole life.

But I had an endoscopia recently, really swollen..but the found nothing..no cancer.no virus..only a bit of gastritis..acid reflux

@Lpdiver Same here with my trek to Cuidad Perdida in October 2022, drank it all and not even a hint of problems.

I wonder if there are several Americans in Santa Martha, and if there are special areas or neighborhoods that they prefer. My partner does not speak Spanish.

The fact that you use woke language in your question means you have bigger issues than where to hang out. And therefore i must pass it by..

    The fact that you use woke language in your question means you have bigger issues than where to hang out. And therefore i must pass it by..
   

    -@cartbeforehorse

Wait... WTF is "woke language"? What am I missing? 😅

I too had no idea what woke language was. I googled the definition and came up with what I’m going to copy and paste. I do not see how that poor person‘s question isn’t any way representative of “woke“ language.

Woke is an adjective derived from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination". Beginning in the 2010s, it came to encompass a broader awareness of social inequalities such as racial injustice, sexism, and denial of LGBT rights.

    I too had no idea what woke language was. I googled the definition and came up with what I’m going to copy and paste. I do not see how that poor person‘s question isn’t any way representative of “woke“ language.Woke is an adjective derived from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination". Beginning in the 2010s, it came to encompass a broader awareness of social inequalities such as racial injustice, sexism, and denial of LGBT rights.        -@Mksebring

OK that's what I thought. Probably another case of "I don't like what this person is saying, it sounds a little too progressive, empathetic, kind, loving, inclusive, tolerant, or otherwise humanistic for me and my sensibilities... so I'm gonna apply a supposedly negative label to try and denigrate the person's comment" 🤣

OK that's what I thought. Probably another case of "I don't like what this person is saying, it sounds a little too progressive, empathetic, kind, loving, inclusive, tolerant, or otherwise humanistic for me and my sensibilities... so I'm gonna apply a supposedly negative label to try and denigrate the person's comment" 🤣
   

    -@ChineduOpara

I don't know how "humanisitic" it is, but the  "wokerati" are the ones, for instance, promoting men competing against women in all sports, including boxing.  If that is  "progressive, empathetic, kind, loving, inclusive, tolerant" according to anyone's sensibilities, I think they need to examine what they stand for because the reality is exactly opposite their high-sounding words... 

@loren843

El Rodadero is a nice beach neighbourhood, about 15 minutes drive from Santa Marta’s centro historico, with lots of accommodation choices. There are quite a few good restaurants in El Rodadero -  Punta Brava and Chicho Blu being the best in my opinion. Santa Marta also has terrific restaurants- in particular Ouzo and 13 Reses. ive also enjoyed the late night grilled street meat skewers in Parque de Los Novios many times -  delicious, and no issues. El Cartel serves great ribs (but be prepared for a long wait). Dealer  serves delicious tacos. If you’re looking for a good patio bar, I would suggest Marley Bar. For sports, El Dios Mio.

    OK that's what I thought. Probably another case of "I don't like what this person is saying, it sounds a little too progressive, empathetic, kind, loving, inclusive, tolerant, or otherwise humanistic for me and my sensibilities... so I'm gonna apply a supposedly negative label to try and denigrate the person's comment" 🤣        -@ChineduOpara

I don't know how "humanisitic" it is, but the  "wokerati" are the ones, for instance, promoting men competing against women in all sports, including boxing.  If that is  "progressive, empathetic, kind, loving, inclusive, tolerant" according to anyone's sensibilities, I think they need to examine what they stand for because the reality is exactly opposite their high-sounding words... 
   

    -@OsageArcher

Well I didn't dig into the old comments so I made assumptions 😁

I doubt they mentioned anything about trans-sports though. And yes, inclusion is one thing.. but having biologically opposite genders competing in the same PHYSICAL sports is the height of foolishness and extremism, IMHO. Equal access to jobs? Yes. Equal Rights? Definitely. The right to not be persecuted due to their gender or appearance? Of course. The "right" to compete in a COMBAT SPORT WITH THE OPPOSITE GENDER? No, that's anti-science and completely unfair to one side.

Evolution by Natural Selection gave most Life on Earth TWO complementary genders for a reason!

No matter how humanistic (or "woke") anyone is, sacrificing Science (and basic Common Sense) for sake of the APPEARANCE of inclusivity, is the height of foolishness.

DEI the theory is fine by me; ie diversity, equity, inclusion. However, the DEI that is practiced my some has had the script flipped and has become Division, Exclusion, and Indoctrination and is no more than a retaliatory plot aimed at garnering revenge for perceived injustices, usually in the exact same manner of perceived injustice.

regards,

elp

How did we get on this topic?

Some drive by poster stating he  doesnt like some other unidentified posters " woke" language . Could have been something someone said back 6 or 8 years ago in this thread. Talk about" off on a tangent"..

LOL.

    How did we get on this topic?Some drive by poster stating he  doesnt like some other unidentified posters " woke" language . Could have been something someone said back 6 or 8 years ago in this thread. Talk about" off on a tangent"..LOL.        -@nico peligro

Hah! Well the good news is, I think the admins can just archive the topic and start a new one. Or we the users can take control and course-correct. In fact, I can give it a shot, cuz I did have a legitimate question 😄👇🏿

Hi everyone! I've been in Barranquilla for 15 months, and I've visited Santa Marta a few times. However, I've never visited the "well-developed" part of Santa Marta yet... just a couple of beaches and some cabin in the hills.

I'm not into diving, surfing, or other typical water-based activities. However I do enjoy a few hours at a quiet beach undisturbed by vendors or massage folks. I also like cultural/historical spots.

If I wanted to take a 2 day (1 night) trip to Santa Marta purely as a tourist, what would you nice Santa Marta expat folks recommend?

@ChineduOpara It's not a two day/one nighter; but, I would suggest a trek to Cuidad Perdida if you are physically fit enough to do the hiking. Note you can cheat a bit by catching a ride on a moto part way up and down the mountain. You can also pay a few extra pesos to have them pack your backpack on the supply mules. If you do go to Santa Marta be aware that hotel prices and availability is widely varible depending if it is a Holiday weekend or not.

DO NOT drink the water or eat any food that may be prepared with water (juices, salads washed in water, ice in your drinks etc). I stay in the old hotel on the front street instead of the Marriott and such. The central park area and surrounding six or eight block area is very lively at night with lots of restaurants and bars etc and lots of the usual street activities.

lpd

@Lpdiver Thanks for the tip, and the reminder about the non-potable water. So what do people do for salads in Santa Marta?