Chile Catches Thousands of Workers Holidaying at State's Expense
By cross-referencing travel records and medical leave certificates, Dorothy Perez discovered that more than 25,000 state employees had gone abroad in the past two years, while supposedly in their sick beds. Some took leave in order to work on their own businesses, others to travel around Europe, while others completed studies abroad.
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Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
First Look: Casa Carolina Debuts In The Heart Of Cartagena, Colombia
Casa Carolina's interior courtyard, with one of two swimming pools. Casa Carolina Gabriel García Márquez once said that all of his works have loose threads of connection to Cartagena, the vibrant and vivacious capital that was the muse of his magical realism. Nearly 500 years after its foundation, Cartagena still weaves together a history of pirate raids and baroque beauty with modern-day glittering skyscrapers that seem to rise from the sea. In the midst of a nearly 500-year-old historic center and on the foundations of what was once Cartagena's first city block, Casa Carolina is a new luxury boutique hotel that brings together every thread of the city's soul. Centuries-old elements painstakingly preserved to UNESCO World Heritage standards meet sleek outdoor pools, cutting-edge wellness offerings, and inspirational cuisine and cocktails inspired by the coast. Casa Carolina is just what the visitor to Cartagena seeks: the old and the new, often all at once. Casa Carolina's colorful rooftop with outdoor swimming pool. Casa Carolina Like most structures in the colonial-era Walled City of Cartagena, Casa Carolina has lived many different lives before its debut as the city's newest luxury hotel earlier this year. Located directly across the street from one of Cartagena's central squares, it was first the presbytery of Santa Catalina de Alejandría Cathedral, its coral stone columns, staircases, and walls reaching sky-high and breathing centuries of history. By the 19th century, the space had become the Café de la Nueva Granada, a meeting space for the creative minds of Cartagena, the first of its kind in the city. In 2022, it began its most recent renovation, a multi-year labor of love overseen by owner Caroline Tchekhoff to transform it into the 15-room boutique hotel it is today. "Casa Carolina is more than just a hotel—it's a celebration of Cartagena," says Tchekhoff. It's a celebration that visitors feel as soon as they step through the towering front doors, past columns and through arches dating 16th century, and into the grand courtyard. Where a cistern once hid beneath the floor to collect rainwater, an outdoor pool now glimmers. At the heart of the courtyard, a storied níspero tree, laden with ripe fruit, provides shade on the hottest days. A suite at Casa Carolina. Casa Carolina The Rooms Carved out of the hotel's centuries-old structure, each of the hotel's 15 rooms and suites has a different layout and personalized design. Thoughtfully-selected pieces of art and decor fill spaces designed to feel serene and sleek, with muted furnishings to let historic details shine. Each room has amenities like a Nespresso maker to brew organic Colombian coffee, and locally produced, sustainable bathroom amenities from Loto del Sur. Some rooms, especially those towards the back of the property, lack some of the historic feel of the rest of the space. However, most rooms retain original elements that range from frescos and wood ceilings to original walls. At the front of the property, the stunning suites facing Cartagena's main square are the most stately. Sky-high ceilings, original frescos, and a stunning mix of history-meets-modern design throughout make them the best rooms in the house, hands down. Guests who are sensitive sleepers may prefer one of the rooms towards the property's back courtyards; while soundproof windows throughout keep out most noise, drumming and dance performances are a daily occurrence at sunset in the square facing the hotel. However, they're festive rather than annoying, especially considering they just last for an hour or two. Accessibility Guests with mobility issues, especially those who use walkers or wheelchairs, will have trouble accessing the property. Though many areas of the property are accessible via elevator, accessing the elevator isn't possible without first navigating stairs. Unfortunately, given the property's age and historic character, it was impossible in the renovation process to make more substantial changes to allow for more inclusive access. Guests with mobility issues should check in with the property prior to booking with any concerns. Casa Carolina's rooftop bar stands out even with Cartagena's quickly-growing mixology scene. Casa Carolina Food & Drinks Dining at Casa Carolina is an experience to remember. Located off the courtyard is Just B, a wellness-minded cafe offering drinks, smoothies, salads, pastries, and more, all made fresh from locally-sourced ingredients. Make sure to get the matcha and granola bowl and a cold brew mixed with orange juice and thank me later. However, the culinary highlight is the hotel's rooftop bar and al fresco dining space, made magical with the view of the coral-colored cupola of the cathedral at sunset. The bar menu is impressive, designed in partnership with Cartagena's El Barón, featured on the prestigious 50 Best Discovery list. I'd recommend trying the Baile y Fuego , a tribute to García Márquez himself, or the Casa de la Nueva Granada , inspired by the cafe that once filled these historic walls. "We're proud to bring the essence of El Barón to Casa Carolina," said Juan Diaz, owner of El Barón. "Our goal was to create cocktails that don't just taste incredible, but that also share a sense of place, honoring the people, stories, and traditions that make Cartagena so unique. Both eateries are open to the public, making this a great place to escape from the heat of the day while peeking inside the incredible interior of this historic building. Beyond Casa Carolina's courtyard is a yoga studio and spa offering a range of treatments and experiences. Casa Carolina Spa & Wellness For a hotel of this size to have a spa is impressive, but at Casa Carolina, wellness goes far beyond a standard massage menu. With an intimate spa and a yoga shala tucked towards the back of the property, wellness is a pillar at the heart of a stay at the property. Casa Carolina's commitment to wellness is motivated by the owner's personal dedication to mindful living practices like yoga and Ayurvedic healing techniques that she says helped safe her life after an accident nearly left her paralyzed years ago. With these same principles brought to life at Casa Carolina, "it's luxury with purpose," she says, "designed to leave a lasting impression.' Yoga classes, meditation sessions, and sound healings are available throughout the week on a rotating schedule, and can also be arranged by request. While the spa specializes in Ayurvedic treatments and therapies, guests interested in something a little more classic will find plenty of options to choose from as well. The níspera tree at the heart of Casa Carolina's courtyard. Casa Carolina Staying at Casa Carolina To stay at Casa Carolina is also to support the hotel's commitment to sustainability, woven through the fabric of its operations in big ways and small. Notably, Casa Carolina is part of a new local initiative known as Nuestra Cartagena, a collective of sixteen local, independently-owned businesses in the tourism industry brought together by a shared love for the city and a desire to mitigate the downsides of tourism by helping craft rich, authentic, and equitable experience for visitors. Basking in the shine of her debut in Cartagena, Casa Carolina strikes a balance that few places in the city can. With its heartfelt commitment to the modern and the historic, Casa Carolina feels like Cartagena itself, storied and sage, yet very much still vibrant and alive.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Influencer Pilot, 19, Still 'Stuck' in Antarctica After Case Was Suspended, Claims Officials 'Won't Let Me Fly Back'
The pilot was arrested on June 28 and accused of landing in Antarctica without permission NEED TO KNOW Influencer Ethan Guo, 19, speaks out after his alleged detainment in Antarctica, following accusations he landed on Chilean territory without permission Guo, who aims to raise $1 million for cancer research, was arrested on June 28 and later agreed to donate $30,000 to a local charity and avoid Chilean territory for three years Despite reports he is allowed to leave, Guo claims he remains stuck in Antarctica, sharing his story in a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Aug. 14 Influencer Ethan Guo is speaking out following his alleged detainment after being accused of landing on Chilean territory in Antarctica without permission. PEOPLE previously reported that Guo, 19, began his journey at Genève Aéroport in 2024 "to become the first person in history to fly solo to all seven continents in a small aircraft. The influencer also plans to raise $1 million for cancer research, per his website. However, Guo was arrested on June 28 by authorities and accused of landing in Antarctica without permission and submitting a false flight plan. He was granted permission to leave Antarctica six weeks after the arrest. This came after he agreed to donate $30,000 to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days and not to reenter Chilean territory for three years, PEOPLE reported earlier this month. In a statement to PEOPLE obtained on Thursday, Aug. 14, the pilot claimed that he's been unable to leave Antarctica. Related: "I've maintained from the very beginning that I am innocent, so I'm grateful to finally have that officially recognized," he said. "This process has been lengthy, and I believe it could have been resolved much sooner had all evidence been considered from the start." "I'm still in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight, and I sincerely hope that clearance will be granted soon so I, and my plane, can continue on my original mission of raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," he concluded. Guo also said he was "grateful" and "relieved" that the charges against him have been dropped, per ABC News. He claimed that he's lost weight during his alleged detainment on the island, saying he felt like a "prisoner" and that authorities "won't let me leave," according to the outlet. Guo's lawyer also told ABC News that "despite his exoneration, the Chilean government has not allowed him to fly his airworthy plane off the base." PEOPLE has contacted the Chilean national law enforcement for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The content creator also claimed that authorities had told him he couldn't leave due to a number of reasons, including poor weather, the plane not being in the right condition, there not being enough fuel and their belief that Guo is not skilled enough to fly. "All four of those statements are objectively false," Guo told ABC News. "I have all the paperwork. I have insurance that even covers Antarctica. The plane has enough fuel, the plane is working. And I am a qualified pilot." Guo also said he wouldn't be able to use a boat to depart due to its infrequent schedule. He added that his goal is to return to his journey. "I want to be able to continue to fight against cancer and continue the mission," he said. In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Guo's representatives at Croft & Johnson LLP, wrote, "Despite his exoneration, the Chilean government has not allowed him to fly his airworthy plane off the base, resulting in his de facto confinement on the island for a month and a half." 'The stress of this ordeal has caused a severe deterioration in his health, including a 10kg weight loss and a diagnosis of pericarditis (inflammation of the heart's outer membrane)," the statement continued. Guo also shared the letter on his Instagram Stories before writing in another post that he was 'free' and that the plane was 'in flying condition.' 'But I'm still stuck in Antarctica because they won't let me fly back,' he added. He then linked a St. Jude Fundraising page that has so far raised $134,677 out of a $1,000,000 goal. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
US influencer claims innocence over charges laid for Antarctica plane landing
An American pilot and influencer who has been trapped in Antarctica for several weeks maintains that he is 'innocent' of the accusations against him. Ethan Guo was charged by Chilean authorities on June 29 with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorization, but on Monday a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chile's prosecutors. It requires the teen to give a $30,000 donation to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial, leave the country as soon as conditions allow and is prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years. According to Guo's defense, the teen pilot was granted authorizations to deviate from his initial route — from Punta Arenas, southern Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina — and land at Teniente Marsh base in Chilean Antarctica due to "weather and technical circumstances." 'My client's actions are protected by a presumption of legality arising from the authorizations expressly granted by various DGAC ( Directorate General of Civil Aviation) officials,' his lawyer, Jaime Barrientos, said in documents handed to the court. According to Barrientos, evidence was presented that 'Mr. Guo informed the DGAC as soon as possible of the change to the filed flight plan, receiving express authorization to land at said aerodrome." Guo, who turned 20 during his stay in Antarctica in July and has maintained his innocence, said in a statement that during his original journey, he 'encountered instrument failures and heavy, unreported icing conditions' which created 'an imminent risk of a crash.' 'Due to these cascading failures, Mr. Guo requested and received explicit, direct permission to land at the Marsh base from a high-ranking DGAC official via WhatsApp, an authorization that was subsequently confirmed by the base's air traffic controller," it said. The influencer added that the court's ruling last Monday was 'a direct result of the prosecutor's refusal to acknowledge this clear evidence.' The prosecutor's office has maintained in several interviews with local media that Guo has handed ' false information' to the respective authority and, by doing so, put at risk 'the safety of global air traffic.' 'What the background indicates is that he always had the will and the knowledge that he wanted to reach Antarctica at all costs, putting at risk not only his life, but also the safety of global air traffic,' prosecutor Cristián Crisosto told local Radio Bio Bio in an interview on Wednesday. Guo made headlines last year when he began a trip in an attempt to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents and at the same time collect donations for research into childhood cancer. But for the past six weeks, he has stayed at the Chilean Air Force base where he landed in June. He was not forced to stay there, only to remain in Chilean territory, but because of the severe winter in that part of the southern hemisphere, no flights were available. He has also been unable to fly his small plane, whose future remains uncertain. Crisosto said that the plane would probably have difficulty leaving Antarctica because it does not meet the necessary regulations. 'That plane could leave Antarctica in pieces. But I don't see it flying,' he warned.
