Cartagena

Morning flight to Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast.  Walking off the plane onto the tarmac was something like putting my head in an oven.  This city in past centuries was the gateway for exporting gold to Spain.  There is an old walled city, and a fortress that was needed to fight off invaders and pirates.  It’s now a cruise ship stop, helping to make it the most expensive city in Columbia.  Only small vehicles can enter through the gates of the old city where we are staying.  It’s touristy here with lots of shops, vendors, horses with carriages, colourful fruit ladies, and working girls at night.  Shops are built into the walls of the city where dungeons used to exist.

We had sunset drinks at an open air lounge on top of the old wall with views of the ocean, dinner in the main square where troupes of dancers performed for tips, then drinks on the salsa square.  There is a tiny bar with pics of the owner and famous salsa singers, and an outdoor square where you can sit, dance or watch street performers.Next door is the night club where a couple of years ago US secret service agents were caught in a scandal involving working girls.

In the morning some of us were picked up for a trip to Toturo volcano.  We were in a tour bus with another 30 people.  We climbed to the opening of the tiny volcano waiting for our turn to climb down into the mud produced by this volcano.  As you climb down the staircase, you are lowered into the fondue-like mud and massaged by some nice men.  It’s not a very big area, you share with a dozen or so other people at a time and become quite close.  When your massage is done you float and bob around but easily lose your balance and must fondle and grope others to not get a mouth full of mud.  We got to know each other pretty well.

After climbing out of the volcano, we got into the warm waters of the nearby lake (Breda from Ireland – we don’t take baths that warm at home!).  Sitting in the murky water, the local ladies bathed us to get rid of the mud.  I was sitting across from the lone guy from our group when my wash lady undid my top to wash it out.  Oops so sorry Mike!

From there we were taken for lunch, and had an hour or so to play in the ocean.  The sky was overcast so it was perfect.  Shortly after our return a rainstorm pounded the city, flooding the streets for a couple of hours.  It was a welcome break from the heat, my weather app showed 34 but felt like 47.

I’m off the tour now but some are travelling along the coast and on a trek to the Lost City on a continuation of the same tour, so I had company for most of the extra time I had in Cartagena.  After dinner, back to the salsa corner but not a lot going on since it’s Sunday.

In the morning I had a private salsa lesson.  Alejandro spoke only Spanish but I didn’t have much problem knowing what he meant as he yelled “muy sensual!” and basically kicked my butt to move faster and faster.  I planned another lesson with him later in the day, but after going to the Inquisition Museum and walking around in the heat without eating, I cancelled.  You have to pace yourself here!  After a nap I met some of the group for dinner at a La Cevicheria, famous for its ceviche (uncooked seafood marinated in lime and other juices).

Two private lessons the next day with Mauricio who was amazing, having a rest in my cool room in between, and another evening at the salsa corner, and I’m saying adios Colombia, hasta luego!