Many Colombians become very creative with earning a living. While some persons become vendors with carts carrying fruits or other eatable items, others may have useful handmade arts to sell or other things interesting to assist with providing an income to live. One of the more interesting sights was seeing this beautiful woman dressed in authentic costume, carrying a large bowl filled with fruit on her head and twirling in the street and on the sidewalk. The custom here for tourists who take her picture is to give money as a token of their appreciation.
Interesting streets throughout Cartagena always allow shade on a least one side of the street providing protection from the sun as well as the pavement, but not once was seen a person with a noticeable disability in any of the areas traveled. It was later learned, people who were blind or needed to use a wheelchair were never seen outside. Though there were a few curb ramps in the new city, there were apparently used by the local vendors who marketed their products with wheeled carts from sidewalks.
During this interesting travel a final stop made at a well-known jewelry shop specializing in emeralds, proved there were Colombians who wanted to bring education to society and their people with disabilities living normal and productive lifestyles within the country. Admittedly, after realizing few, if any, persons with disabilities were seen in public, it was slightly overwhelming to want to leave the vehicle. However, hearing about Joyeria Caribe Jewelry, a family owned business managed by three brothers who founded it, and their desire to help persons with disabilities by teaching them productive skills to earn a living brought an immediate affirmative response for assistance to be transferred from the van.
Sandy Salcedo brought a glass bottled cola to drink, after being moved into the shade, faced away from the street near the building.
(Photo on right) During these precious moments, he made it easy to relax despite knowing there were probably passerby's staring from the sidewalk behind. After a few minutes, Sandy guided Hollenbeck into a side entrance where workers diligently worked the fine art of stone making and crafting emeralds.
The first gentleman quickly rose from his chair and moved his work table aside to provide more space despite protests of having sufficient room to maneuver the wheelchair. From this vantage point, (photo on left) there were at least five work tables placed side by side against the wall with working hands rather busy. In another area of the same room, a gentleman worked silently while cleaning precious emeralds that would eventually be mounted as exquisite pieces of jewelry. (Photo in middle) Luis Eduardo Diaz, the General Manager and accredited jewelry professional, (photo on right) quickly came into the room and excitedly shared photography of their work with people with disabilities and provided information about the specimen containing emerald and crystals shown below:
Hollenbeck captures a small specimen with genuine emerald stones embedded in the rock by zooming in on the subject with a camera.
Photography by Julia Hollenbeck
Luis Diaz showed another specimen vividly containing emeralds,
(Left Photo) explained processing the emeralds from the specimen and held a stick containing a soft rubber cup holding a fine emerald for Hollenbeck to see
(Photo in Center). In the photo on the right, Mister Diaz shows Hollenbeck other minerals; on the left there is a specimen with gold and next to it is quartz or crystal.
Joyeria Caribe Jewelry additionally provides another extraordinary skill; the art of working with people who have disabilities and teaching them a trade to become productive in society.
Translated from literature written in Spanish provided to Hollenbeck by Luis Diaz; the English interpretation provides the following information about this unique company and the support they give to the community:
Responsible SOCIAL Enterprise
It is the set of actions that torment in consideration of businesses that its activities have active and voluntary contribution to the social improvement, fulfillment and environmental of the community, generally with the aim of improving his competitive situation and valor.
In COODISBOL Joyeria Caribe Jewelry is viewed as the largest information center in Colombia on issues relating to persons with disabilities to represent our country in the international community to serve all liaison persons working for this population.
Joyeria Caribe Jewelry in COODISBOL supports the development of projects for youth with disabilities to enable their human and professional accomplishment.
The photographer of these photos, taken in a room specifically used for teaching, is unknown. Luis Diaz gave Hollenbeck copies of the photos. The photos are added to this web page for the benefit of acknowledging Luis Diaz' heartfelt work for persons with disabilities in Columbia, through Joyeria Caribe Fine Emerald Jewelry in Cartagena.
Sociedad Joyeria
Caribbean Emeralds & Fine Jewelry
Luis Eduardo Diuaz, General Manager
Accredited Jewelry Professional
Telephone 57-5-665 4626
Cartegena, Colombia S.A.
Editor's Note: Hollenbeck's father toyed with rock collecting which led to lapidary before opening a shop, "Gifts of Stone", selling his specimens made into bookends or other accessories in the state of Oregon, USA, after retiring as a yachtsman. Her father passed away in 1974. Her visit with Luis Diaz surely marked positive thoughts twofold.
Leaving Cartagena was difficult for Hollenbeck while thinking about the sights she had seen, people met and more important her fondness for historical preservation. The forts, monuments, churches and too many photos to include on this web page leaves readers an opportunity to see it for themselves, which is exactly the intent.
Cartagena, Colombia offers much more than what meets the eye; exploring this interesting city of two, provides modern and preserved historical living. If a person desires to see and learn as much as possible, the best way to visit the area with limited time is through AVIATUR & AVIA Caribbean Tours because their knowledgeable guides offer a completely narrated and comprehensive overview from the moment your journey begins according to Julia Hollenbeck. If you require using a mobility device; method for transporting is by manual collapsible wheelchair with confirmed arrangements made ahead of time. Don't miss the opportunity to see it all and let them know if you have any special requests.
Disclaimer: Wheel Me On... or any Board Director of the non-profit organization and/or other person involved in creating this web page are not liable for any damages arising from content, suggestions, or mode of travel and have no obligation or liability for any claim based upon content of written material. Information provided on this web page is literary expressions to encourage persons with disabilities (PWD) to travel, so long as the PWD is capable of traveling and no intent of prescription or warranty is contained herein. PWD are encouraged to practice safety for their own physical requirements; tour companies, drivers and guides are not responsible for medical equipment or supplies.
The WMO Rating for this tour is posted in Members Only
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While approaching the Port in Cartagena, a Catholic statue of the Virgin of Carmen is said to help protect sailors traveling the ocean. Colombia is among several countries in South America with Catholicism being the predominate faith.
Shortly after docking, Antonio Rafeal Porras Gutierrez, General Manager of AVIATUR & AVIA Caribbean Ltd. tours (left photo) was waiting to retrieve me from the vessel and provided introductions of Luis Torres who would drive the van and Tour Guide, Sandy Cuadrado Salcedo, a professional Tourist Guide speaking English, Spanish and French. (Photo on right) Within a short time, Mister Salcedo requested his driver, Luis, head away from the dock, entering a mixed culture in what appeared as two different worlds.
Despite traffic congestion, Luis Torres (left photo) knew exactly where and how to drive, the frequent stops providing moments capturing interesting sights while listening to Sandy explain landmarks. This interesting exploration proved to be a tour of unique history about Cartagena and additionally much of Colombia.
Pedro de Heredia, known for being involved in brawls until he was forced to leave Spain, he later founded the city of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia and then later accepted the position of lieutenant presented by the governor of Santa Marta, the first city to be founded in Colombia by Pedro Vadillo. Pedro de Heredia became rich after acquiring a large amount of gold and returned to Spain and then years later, acquired positions as governor for three departments and the authorization to conquer territories.
