Up at 6:30 today and had breakfast in
the room as we both had to catch fairly early tours of the city.
Columbia, at least the Caribbean coast is hot and HUMID. Heat I can
take, humidity not so much. Cartagena is an interesting city, and
the Old Town area, with its vividly painted buildings, narrow
streets, flowers and cobblestone even more so.
Upon leaving the ship in our
(thankfully air conditioned) bus we first stopped at the fortress
that guarded the city. A huge stone fort and thick city walls were
supposed to guard the city, sometimes not so well, with English,
pirates, and French all launching attacks at one time or another.
The vendors of hats, sunglasses, tee shirts and leather belts and
purses were everywhere, but skills learned in India served well, ie,
make no eye contact and do not even answer “No, gracias.”
After a shopping arcade (I'm sure the
guide, Emily, gets a cut) we went to the Hall of Inquisitions and saw
many ways to torture. I'm sure I would confess to anything just to
be put out of my misery after seeing some of the ways people have
devised to hurt other people.
A walking tour of Old Town ended at two
fabric shops. Both were a disappointment, as they had US fabric in
cotton, and lots of polyester and other fabrics not suitable for
quilting. No, Surani, I didn't buy any. We then walked back to the
bus, had a driving tours of other parts of the city, and then back to
the ship.
Pam and I lazed away the afternoon, but
did go to a “Foodie Frenzy” trivia contest, which I won (so
there, Cass), went to a lecture on the building of the Canal, and had
dinner with delightful table companions who live in Esquim, WA but
were originally from England. After dinner, the show, and now bed.
A very nice day---and the Canal is tomorrow.
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