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Letter from Cartagena: Rags to riches tale of the new Colombia

The spotless streets of Cartagena Old Town are a dream of a Colombia that never was, a place that exists by selling its past to the exclusion of embracing its present

It’s going home time at La Matuna but the workers, ignoring their buses and colectivos, have spontaneously parted to create an inviting opening.

A naval officer in dress whites, holding his chica's hand, walks in, unaware he is entering a street theatre. A man slides out behind him, mimicking his walk, his posture, his every gesture before shyly taking his hand. The officer starts and snarls, the crowd roars with laughter. For the next 20 minutes, the performer imitates every person who crosses his path.

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