Today August 28th we celebrated Becky's 29th birthday for the 24th time. First we took a one hour drive in a van with 8 other people to a volcano that is full of mud. We were told the volcano is 29 meters high and 2500 meters deep. We paid to go and soak in the mud. Three things are extra money. 1st if you want a massage it cost $1.50,.2nd if you want pictures taken with your camera it's a $1.50 ,and 3rd if you want the mud washed off it's a $1,50. When we arrived we changed into our bathing suits and climbed the stairs to the top of the mud volcano. When you get in you float and a Columbian man massages your front, then flips you over and massages your back for about 10 minutes, then pushes you to the side to relax in the mud. Hard to explain but a very good experience. We gave our camera to a man at the top of the mud volcano and he took several pictures and videos of us. After about a half hour of floating in mud we got out and walked to the lake to rinse off, three good looking Columbian woman followed Becky and I to the lake. One took my hand and walked me into the water. She made me sit down and then started washing my hair and throwing water at me with a small bucket, then she washed out my ears and told me to take off my bathing suit. Not speaking Spanish, I did not understand, but soon she was saying the word "naked". I stood up and stripped my suit off. The woman all laughed and started to wash me and my discarded suit. Soon I was standing clean and naked for the Columbian woman to see. I'm sure I heard the word "grande" a few times but Becky tells me she heard them say "pequeno". I will stick with I heard. Never the less, I had my body washed from an attractive Columbian woman for a $1.50. For that I say "life is good on Kokomo"!



After returning to Cartagena we went out to dinner at a fine steak restaurant called Patagonia. We ordered two filet mignon dinners and a bottle of wine. After a few glasses of wine, our waiter brought out two of the finest looking steaks we have ever seen and put them in front of Becky, we were in heaven! Before she could move one of the steaks to my plate the waiter also brought me two steaks. My guess is we both got 20 ounces of Argentinean beef. Then we got steak fries and a salad to split. I was afraid we had each ordered two meals as no one could eat this much meat. In hind site, I think the waiter was trying to tell us to split a meal as several people around us did just that. Guess what's for dinner tonight.



After dinner, we took a horse drawn carriage for a tour of the city. The driver sold me a cigar and we enjoyed our ride.



About half way through the ride, we stopped at an old castle and got out to have an after dinner drink. Two men came up to us and stated to play their guitar and sing. We paid them to continue for 4 songs enjoying every moment. http://www.sailblogs.com/admin/xj_message_edit.php?action=edit&xjID=12105&xjMsgID=239403



Then we returned to the boat. While we were gone a cruise ship came in and parked right next to us. I went to the side of the boat to relieve myself and people started to cheer and clap. I think for the second time in one day I heard the word "grande". Becky tells me a movie just ended on the fan tail of the ship, but I heard what I heard. I think Becky will tell you she had a great birthday night in town.

Oh, forgot my real present from Denny........



Life is good on Kokomo!

Denny