Have you ever heard of a man known as the “Centurion of the Night”? Joe Arroyo was the King of Salsa and a cultural icon in Cartagena. He was born in the Nariño neighborhood, a place known for its vibrant culture and its music. As a young boy he sang in the brothels of Tesca, a red-light district in Cartagena. Later, he became known for his unique style which combined salsa, cumbia, porro and soca. His music is still celebrated all over Colombia and in Barranquilla, he won a special award called the “Super Congo de Oro” for his outstanding performance in the Barranquilla Carnival. His music is a melting pot of Latin rhythms, infused with the spirit of Cartagena and Colombia. Today, you can see a bronze and copper statue of Joe Arroyo in Cartagena, standing proudly as a tribute to the man who brought the rhythm to the streets.
Hotel Bellavista
Is it just me, or does this place exude a certain kind of magic? We’re standing before Hotel Bellavista, a