For Colombia, "Now the Games are coming"

Barranquilla. The city is under construction, hot, with a taste of mojarra and waiting for the torch of the Central American Games and the Caribbean Barranquilla 2018 to be lit this Thursday.

This city, founded in 1629, still has many buildings and facilities under construction. This can be seen even at night in a city tour, which houses modern sports facilities that have been built or rebuilt for the Games, such as the state of Edgar Rentería baseball, Romelio Martinez football or the Metropolitan Stadium, which will host the inaugural events on Thursday.

"This was the first.All stages are new and ready," said Jairo Pérez, a proud leader Barranquilla, who intends to attend football games.

The Congress Center of Puerta de Concepción was also built and inaugurated last December. The gold, which will host various events, such as gymnastics and table tennis. It is located on the banks of the Magdalena River, which recently inaugurated an 8 kilometer walk.

Barranquilla will take advantage of all this after putting a brake on the enthusiasm for the Games to dedicate itself to his football team, which reached the second round of the 2018 Russia World Cup.

As the said the barranquillero Juan Orango, "and now the Games are coming."

Around, workers bringing the finishing touches to jobs and buildings are part of the picture. (Special Envoy / [email protected])

Radio, television and print media promote the Games on a daily basis. The government of Barranquilla also. And the presence of Shakira is commented on the street as the attraction of the inauguration.

The Central American village, which will host more than 5,500 athletes until August 3, at the time of the closing of the Games, has just been inaugurated.

The Villa, according to testimonials from Puerto Rican athletes and a visit from GFR Media, does not seem over. Like other facilities, the village still has many details about the workers.

"We had situations to face, but we came ready for that," said tennis player Brian Afanador, who is at his second Games.

High temperatures are also recorded in many games, and these will not be the exception. But this is not very different from Puerto Rico either.

The temperature is 85 degrees with a clear sky, and the entire surface is exposed to a burning sun. It is also windy and dry.

The Barranquilleros do not think twice when asked what to choose for a typical dinner in the city.

With access to the Caribbean Sea, they love the mojarra, a fish similar to chilli, white meat. They serve it fried, with toastones and coconut rice, not only on the coast but also in the center of the city.

The countdown to the Games is in two. And the Barranquilleros are ready for the party.