Doing the town
24 February 2009 | Cartagena, Columbia
pilott / clear and breezy
People come to Cartagena to see and experience the old world charm and the history. Oh, there is plenty of the new and modern as well, but that can be seen almost anywhere. The heart of Cartagena culture is the old city. A conglomeration of narrow cobbled streets surrounded by ancient buildings with balconies overhanging and festooned with flowering plants. Here you will find museums, shops and restuarants. You can buy anything from the usual tourist crap to beautiful pieces of work by native craftsmen. A little leg work is called for to find the good stuff, but the rewards are worth it. As you approach the main gate you will see the spires of several Cathedrals towering over the city. The architecture is quite lovely and impressive. Street vendors are selling fresh cut fruit (papaya, watermelon, cantalope and others whose names I don't even know). For a few pennies you can have a cup full of sweet refreshment as you stroll the streets. Most of the restuarants have a menu del dia (menu of the day) which includes three or more choices for a very reasonable rate. You can have a delicious full plate lunch for about 3 to 4 dollars. For dollar more add a very cold local beer. There are a number of shady parks scattered around town and they are perfect for taking a break out of the sun and listening to the splash of the water playing in the fountains. At night the streets and plazas fill up with tables and chairs from the restuarants and dinner is served outside. People stroll about with their families taking in the noise and excitement and greeting one another as they pass. There are night culbs and dance imporiums if you are so inclined. It is a vibrant city full of life and happy people. It is easy to understand why so many cruisers make this journey and brave the passage that brings you here. Soon we will be leaving for the San Blas Islands of Panama, but I suspect that there is a good chance we will return to Cartagena in the not too distant future.