miss colombia pageant cartagena

rca_rodrigo says on Apr 25, 2007, 21:59:

in november its always the first or the second week in november

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el flaco says on Apr 26, 2007, 05:21:

I'm sure that you know this The beauty queens stay at the Hilton and I would imagine it is fully booked for that week. So if you have a reservation it's he other week.

Also the pageant lasts a week with the girls doing something different every week all fully reported on Colombian television and newspapers. All the colombians were discussing the chances of the various girls. In England Miss World might as well not exist.

I particularly enjoyed the street parade staring at Crespo and also the parade of boats was fun as I was able to hire a chair from a young man in the street.

I nearly missed the carnaval parade at the end of the week, this is for Cartagena locals, and was great fun.

I stayed with friends but had no trouble getting a table at restaurants, the town didn't seem especially busy.

Enjoy!

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tomtom33 says on Apr 26, 2007, 05:48:

http://www.srtacolombia.org/index.htm This site does not give any schedule. Most of the activities happen between 11/1 and 11/15. There are more activities the second week.

They have various public appearances all over Centro and the Bocagrande Penninsula. A number of them are photo ops on the beach.

I'm going to miss the pageant this year for the first time since 2002. It is too much of a zoo. And it can be aggravating mixing with the crowds. People throw things at each other including ink and shit, real shit.

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Gator says on Apr 26, 2007, 06:24:

Officially.... November 1 to November 12. The last day is also Cartagena Independence Day which is BIG in Cartagena. Lots of parades that day but a tip-wear old clothes because there is a LOT of water, paint, flour, etc. thrown into the crowd. This is NOT connected with the Beauty Festival (in Colombia called Reinado Nacional de la Belleza) To see the finals in the convention center across from the Old City costs big pesos.

If you plan on going and have a particular choice of accommodations NOW is the time to try and reserve. Best restaurants are very crowded. If you are flying in from the USA you should have not real problem but internal flights will be booked.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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el flaco says on Apr 27, 2007, 01:58:

two weeks I didn’t know it went on for two weeks, however I’m sure that the last week is best. I had forgotten about the ink. What I experienced was semi naked children covered in black oil carrying a stick that they dipped into a tin of similar oil and threatened to touch you with the stick. This is separate from the parades and takes place anywhere in Cartagena. Their friends beg money off you as protection money. I never paid and was never molested but it did frighten me.

Also and this was fun, I went by buseta along the main road to Barranquilla and the local boys at each village would hold up the bus with a length of rope across the road and ask for money for “la reina” the local beauty. This reminded me of the film “Y tu mama tambien” based in Mexico. Is this a Colombian custom as well?

The crowds themselves are good natured, there are lots of “private” street parties at night in local streets. Everyone is in carnival disguise including the cab drivers during the day, not just for the parades.

But yes old clothes are a very good idea.

Happy memories, aren’t we all so fortunate.

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