Jan
3
Colombia
Filed Under Panama Canal 2009
9:52PM AST
At Sea, North toward Ft. Lauderdale
After we left the Panama Canal on New Year’s Day, we sailed east along the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Friday morning, we docked in Cartagena. Dad and I went on one excursion and Mom on another. Ours was titled “Fortress and the Best of Cartagena.” I think Dad and I were both interested in this because our visit to El Morro, the fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was really fascinating and we were hoping for the same with Cartagena’s Ft. San Felipe. Our chosen excursion was quite popular as first evidenced by the Universe Lounge being so packed by passengers that we had to sit on the stage to wait for disembarkation. Once we did, the 350+ group was split into about 20 buses.
Our tour guide, Claudia, is a retired history teacher and knew her stuff pretty well. We first visited the fort but spent only 10 minutes there, walking up and around part of it. The weather was quite hot and humid, so rather than wearing my backpack around, I left it on the bus everytime we got off. The fort was built by the Spanish when they realized Cartagena was becoming quite an asset to them. The city was sacked many times, and each time thereafter they kept adding onto the fort. It’s a beautiful structure built on a high point giving a good view of the city.
After the fort, we rode up a tall mountain to an Augustinian monastery to have a look around. This spot gave an even better view of the entire city. Claudia pointed out the poor area down below which was evidenced by the makeshift roofs. She mentioned that there is no middle class in Cartagena, only very rich and very poor. The inside courtyard of the monastery is actually open to the elements and has a very Spanish feel. In fact, it’s very similar to the hotel that the St. Olaf Band stayed at in San Miguel, Mexico. Very beautiful with flowers growing and balconies.
aliWe descended the mountain and made our way to the old town, part of the city that was originally, and still is, walled by the Spanish. We first stopped at a market area located in one long building, one shop after another. Dad forgot his wallet and I didn’t bring cash on this trip, so we had nothing to spend and thus nothing to buy (which is ok with me). I explored a bit and walked up a ramp of the city wall which led me to the roof of the market building. After people spent some of their money, we then walked through town and ended up at a church that was named after a priest who was sent from Spain to evangelize the slaves of the area, before they died hopeless, and set the tone of Catholicism. We made our way next to a place (I don’t quite know what it was, a museum or other) that has miniature mock-ups of the city during different sieges, complete with tiny 3D ships at bay and such. They gave a good visual for how countries such as France and England, tried to capture Cartagena. We were given a free beverage and treated to some folkloric dancing of Colombia before being shepherded back onto our bus.
Lastly, we were dropped off at a jewelry center (Colombia apparently being known for its emeralds, who knew? Not I) where we had 40 minutes to kill for shopping. Without money nor interest, Dad and I walked to the beach area and sat on the big coral rocks by the shore. Many people were at the beach that day, so we watched the locals setting up beach tents. I’m led to believe that Colombia’s population, more than any other country we’ve visited so far, is more influenced by the African slaves. People here are much darker. Even their folk dancing has hints of African influence. Back at the shopping center, we ran into Mom who was also wrapping up her excursion in which they were also dumped at this tourist trap.
We arrived back on the Coral Princess by 1:30 in time for us to set sail. I was tired, so I napped until 2:30 and then had some semblance of a lunch. I then walked by the Crooner’s Bar in time to catch afternoon Pictionary and joined Cathy and Zach against one other team. We won and were rewarded with luggage tags, so now I have two. From there, I went straight to afternoon trivia where our team almost won. Which company buys the most sugar and vanilla in the world? Coca-Cola!
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