Colombia wasn’t exactly what we thought it would be. No paramilitary guerillas, no drug trafficking and no kidnappings. So we had to find other ways to amuse ourselves. Luckily Cartagena has lots of good food, good music and good views. It turned out to be a very relaxing place to spend our last week in South America.
We met up with Hedda and Michael in Quito after our Galapagos trip. From there, the four of us flew to Cartagena, Colombia to explore the old colonial city. My first impression of Cartagena is that it is HOT and HUMID. Eventhough it’s a coastal city, it doesn’t get much relief from the winds off the Carribean. By 9am, it’s 90 degrees with 90% humidity, and by 11am you wish you never left the comforts of your air conditioned room…
Much of the old city is undergoing restoration. New hotels, condos, private homes, etc. marks a sharp contrast between the old and the new. Although it seems an obvious choice…I´m torn between the dirty charm of the old, and the prefect quaintness of the new. Every run-down building tells the story of a past splendor when Cartagena was under colonial rule (from 1533-1811).