Cartagena is a crazy little town of contrasts. If you wander inside the old city walls you step back in time to a place much like Cuba, well, at least what I've seen in pictures of Cuba. There are even guys on the street who try to sell you "Cuban" cigars. They don't look very good.
The streets are narrow, the buildings are colorful, and the heat will melt you into the ground. But all you have to do is slip into a cafe for fresh empanadas and a lemonade and your ready to go again.
The city walls that used to keep invaders out are now the main attraction for attacking tourists. They wander the area by the boatload but Cartagena does a good job of spreading them out and taking their money.
We found an authentic Bavarian bar and had Paulaner dunkel weissbeer, my absolute favorite in the world.
Another way to escape the heat is to enter one of the churches in Cartagena. This one was having a sermon so we sat down for the part where you are forgiven for all your sins, it's just extra credit after that so we went back into the heat.
At the end of the day we joined forces with some other travelers from Tennessee, Germany, Israel, Italy and a local Cartagenian and hung out in a Salsa bar. It was a delightful way to spend the evening. Tomorrow, more Cartagena and we'll decide whether to head north or go for a mud volcano tour.
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The streets are narrow, the buildings are colorful, and the heat will melt you into the ground. But all you have to do is slip into a cafe for fresh empanadas and a lemonade and your ready to go again.
The city walls that used to keep invaders out are now the main attraction for attacking tourists. They wander the area by the boatload but Cartagena does a good job of spreading them out and taking their money.
We found an authentic Bavarian bar and had Paulaner dunkel weissbeer, my absolute favorite in the world.
Another way to escape the heat is to enter one of the churches in Cartagena. This one was having a sermon so we sat down for the part where you are forgiven for all your sins, it's just extra credit after that so we went back into the heat.
At the end of the day we joined forces with some other travelers from Tennessee, Germany, Israel, Italy and a local Cartagenian and hung out in a Salsa bar. It was a delightful way to spend the evening. Tomorrow, more Cartagena and we'll decide whether to head north or go for a mud volcano tour.
I love that whole, "by the power vested in me, I forgive you for all your sins" part. It's the only way to go.
ReplyDeleteThat place looks awesome! Secretly, though, I'll bet you two really wish you were back in Fairbanks so you could meet us at the Pump House for smoky cocktail hour...
ReplyDelete