boobs, butt, and a wish

Finding magic in the most unexpected places including a statue’s breasts and buttocks in Cartagena. What I learned from this experience.

Dear Diary,

Sometimes, you find magic in the most unexpected places.

Today, while wandering the sun-drenched streets of Cartagena, I came across a quirky little statue tucked away behind the Santo Domingo church in the Walled City. It was of a woman, round, bronze, and voluptuous, with a cheeky smile that seemed to say, “Go ahead, touch me.” Her name? La Gordis Gertrudis.

A local approached us in and instructed us in spanish to touch the statue’s buttocks or breasts for a chance at good fortune. I was a little confused at first and slightly snickered at the thought but then I began to see other locals approach the statue and pose for a picture with their hands on her buttocks or breasts. The local nodded at us encouraging us to approach the statue and we followed suit. He was quite serious and we were pleasantly surprised how happy he was to see us follow this beloved tradition. He also told us that touching the statue would ensure that we would return to Cartagena for some day. For the locals in Cartagena, she’s not just a statue; she’s a beloved character in the city’s folklore. Legend has it that if you’re seeking good fortune, a friendly pat on La Gordis is the way to go. Of course, some say it’s her generous curves that hold the secret to prosperity, but who am I to argue with tradition?

As I stood there for a moment, taking in the scene, I found myself both amused and intrigued. Cartagena, like many places in the Caribbean, has a special way of blending the magical with the everyday. As I touched Gertrudis, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself—this was one of those quirks of local culture that you simply had to embrace. After all, how could it hurt?

I closed my eyes for a moment and made a wish. I would share what I wished for but they say if you share what you wished for then it won’t come true. There was something about that playful moment, the lightheartedness of it, that felt refreshing. It wasn’t just about the luck, though; it was about allowing myself to embrace the randomness of it all, to let go of control for a bit.

As I stepped away from La Gordis, I looked up at the cobblestone streets that stretched ahead. Maybe the good luck would come in a form I wasn’t expecting, or maybe it was already here, in the simple joy of finding something new, something unexpected, and something that made me smile. Cartagena is full of these little surprises—moments that remind you to keep an open heart and an even more open mind.

So, as I move forward through this beautiful city, I’ll carry a little bit of that luck with me. Whether it’s the kind that comes from superstition or the kind that emerges simply from being in the right place at the right time, I’m ready for whatever magic is waiting around the corner.

Con Amor,

Jirah Nicole