We made it back after a few long, long connections & the snow has melted a little bit but not much. : )
Overview of last couple days:
After I ventured into town I had the taxi drop me off at EXITO (which is sort like a super walmart)....some merchandise was made in China but a lot of it came from South America too. It was fun to look around at the many different clothes (beautiful designs like Jennifer Lopez or Shakira would wear-she is from Colombia) a lot were very Alluring.
After browsing for an hour or so I met Chris & Marie at Jorge Washington School & waited for them to finish up. Marie had meetings most of the afternoon w/ the Principal & other faculty discussing future employment. In fact, they hired her & she accepted a very PT position until she retires here in 2 years. She will work as a one on one reading specialist like here in the Title One Program...She is very excited! This expensive private school really wants to hire very good English speaking instructors to teach in a form so the pronunciation is clear & correct when speaking to their students....Although the children may end up talking like little Colombian Yoopers! (Eh, Hola!) :)
After school we headed to the grocery to buy our Columbian Rum & Juan Valdez coffee to bring home....Went back to Chris's to freshen up for church & dinner reservations for 8pm at La Vitrola Resaurante in Old town. The church we went to (Saint Padres, the one w/the big DOME) didn't have Mass but a holy hour of Rosary which we sat in for a bit. The inside construction was unbelievable! It actually was by far the most Beautiful church I have seen...We then proceeded to a rooftop terrace of a friend of Chris's (who happened to be in Bogata for the wknd), there we watched the sunset over the ocean & viewed the clay topped roofs over the city . St. Padres was literally one building away & the dome was magnificent at eye level! From the terrace we could here some African drums playing so we decided to ck it out....Over in the park a block or so away an African dance/drumming group were performing... This was really Awesome too! What a way to spend the last evening!! I did record some of the performance & will post the link to You tube in a day or so on this blog.
Our dinner at La Vitrolas was very good w/ a small live group playing~ "Pitty Duenas" a Cuban Swing band. Some of the music here is like Zydeco which is very fun! I ended up buying a cd of the Cuban Swing band as a momento of the occasion.
After dropping Marie off at the apt. Chris & I went back to town to a really cool night club to dance Salsa... the place was small & narrow with all brick & arched doorways throughout & probably built 500 years ago as a hideout. The strobe lights looked neat flashing against the old brick walls! We stayed until close which was about 4am! We had a lot of fun but getting up at 6am was not fun... although I endured the flights on the way home with a long layover in Miami spent at Bay Side outdoor park/marina (which we ate lots of Cuban food!).
All in All, Cartagena Colombia is a very safe place to visit & I would HIGHLY recommend this jewel of South America to anyone!!!
Adios! Amy
YouTube Video in Old Town:
Cartagena Colombia -African Dance
Monday, April 7, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Last day here..... : (
Today is our last day... tomorrow we leave at 9am with a long set of connections ahead! Should be in Yooperland Sunday morning.
Yesterday was a fun day...! We boarded the tour boat about 7:45am & left the harbor around 9am for a 90 minute ride for the Isla Baru excursion. It was quite entertaining w/ an emcee directing all the fun. He had people come onto the "dance floor" to learn Merengue ... We then played a game where the dancers had to switch partners when he called out "RUM"! One that doesn't make it to a partner is eliminated. I made through about 1/2 of it, then sat down to rest. An hour of dancing is great excerise in the morning. We then came to the beach around 10:30am where we stayed & played in the water & relaxed/read under the palm until 3pm . I mingled a bit with people from NY & CA on vaca too....We had waited to go snorkeling until afternoon & the wind had picked up (like it does in the p.m. every day) so the snorkeling was kind of murky because the sand was being stirred up in the waves....No fish : ( It was well worth the cost though with BBQ snacks, fresh fruit, fish chowder, drinks all included. Last night we stayed in while Chris picked up pizza & beer. Marie is getting ready to go into school again for a few hours & I will venture into town . Later.....
Yesterday was a fun day...! We boarded the tour boat about 7:45am & left the harbor around 9am for a 90 minute ride for the Isla Baru excursion. It was quite entertaining w/ an emcee directing all the fun. He had people come onto the "dance floor" to learn Merengue ... We then played a game where the dancers had to switch partners when he called out "RUM"! One that doesn't make it to a partner is eliminated. I made through about 1/2 of it, then sat down to rest. An hour of dancing is great excerise in the morning. We then came to the beach around 10:30am where we stayed & played in the water & relaxed/read under the palm until 3pm . I mingled a bit with people from NY & CA on vaca too....We had waited to go snorkeling until afternoon & the wind had picked up (like it does in the p.m. every day) so the snorkeling was kind of murky because the sand was being stirred up in the waves....No fish : ( It was well worth the cost though with BBQ snacks, fresh fruit, fish chowder, drinks all included. Last night we stayed in while Chris picked up pizza & beer. Marie is getting ready to go into school again for a few hours & I will venture into town . Later.....
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Glad we missed the Storm!
From what I hear Upper Michigan just had a big snow storm....So glad I'm here!!
Sorry to rub it in people...! : )
This morning I took a taxi into Old town & walked around enjoying the sights & sounds of Cartagena...locals selling fruit on the corners, people walking everywhere, locals selling their crafts of coconut shell jewelry & spoons etc. I took more picture's of the old buildings & flowering boxes hanging off the many balconys down the narrow streets. I then met Marie & Chris at the school where he is teaching...the 3rd grade class he is teaching are full of energy! Marie had a lot of fun helping today. We (Marie & I) are getting up early tomorrow & going back to Isla Baru but to a different area this time to go snorkeling. Isla Baru is very large w/ a lot to see even though it's pretty remote. Chris has school but we will see him at the end of the day....We catch the tour boat @ 7:30am...It looks bigger than the one we were on yesterday.... Apparently there is an abundance of tropical fish at the place we are going.....Food & drinks are included until we return @ 4:30pm or so.
Adios!
Sorry to rub it in people...! : )
This morning I took a taxi into Old town & walked around enjoying the sights & sounds of Cartagena...locals selling fruit on the corners, people walking everywhere, locals selling their crafts of coconut shell jewelry & spoons etc. I took more picture's of the old buildings & flowering boxes hanging off the many balconys down the narrow streets. I then met Marie & Chris at the school where he is teaching...the 3rd grade class he is teaching are full of energy! Marie had a lot of fun helping today. We (Marie & I) are getting up early tomorrow & going back to Isla Baru but to a different area this time to go snorkeling. Isla Baru is very large w/ a lot to see even though it's pretty remote. Chris has school but we will see him at the end of the day....We catch the tour boat @ 7:30am...It looks bigger than the one we were on yesterday.... Apparently there is an abundance of tropical fish at the place we are going.....Food & drinks are included until we return @ 4:30pm or so.
Adios!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Journal from Isla Baru
March 30th 2008 . Sunday p.m.
We are now on the Isla Baru at the Sport Baru resort leaving a pleasant boat ride from Cartagena. Waves were about 4ft rollers in the end but the boat was made for them making it pretty smooth. There is no internet here because it is very rustic & tropically remote. It also is very beautiful & relaxing. The set up is very laid back here with the small staff, in fact we are the only ones here at the time! So… we have the whole place to our selves with all 20 hammocks, ping pong table, kayak, futons w/ cushy pillows, chaise lounges, quaint decks w/ look outs etc.
Upon arrival we first packed a bag & boarded another boat to ride across the bay to a beach on another bay with a little more surf. The guys that brought us over there were kind of pestering to buy goods so we gave them each some drinks from the cooler so we could have alone time…and they loved it! In the end we ended up buying a few necklaces & bracelets. : )
Came back an hour or so later & the cook made an awesome fish plate consisting of Pargo Roho (red salt water fish), coconut rice & plantane's (fried bananas)… a typical Caribbean lunch, it was delicious! Our dinner was another kind of fish topped w/capers which was awesome too!
….Later after lunch two local island girls (the massage therapist's) came in by small boat & Marie & I each had a massage on the beach where they had a table under a cabana, Paradise..! Tomorrow is Marie's Birthday! What a nice way to spend a birthday, on an Island. The gift I bought her has no wrapping so I will use some palm leaves & put some fresh flowers from the grounds on it for a ribbon. Adios! Amy
March 31st 2008 . Monday
I awoke early this morning around 6am to the sound of a Rooster, but didn’t get up until 7ish. It was neat~ like we’re at a small Caribbean farm of some sort. I picked flowers & palms from the ground's & wrapped Marie's present & asked for a vase for the breakfast table. They had fresh fruit & juice for breakfast w/ fresh eggs scrambled w/ tomatoes, onions, cheese & toast. After breakfast we were dropped off by boat to really nice beach on some private property (no one was there) w/ our cooler of Colombian beer & water. This was near where we were yesterday...It was quiet & beautiful. Our boat driver came back to pick us up for lunch ... When we arrived we ate fish steaks & coconut rice (mmmm!) We were asked if we wanted shrimp for Marie's Birthday dinner, which she was very happy to say Si Si Si !!! Needless to say she had a wonderful Birthday on the Isla of Baru….
That evening we sat on the dock & stargazed....A
April 1st 2008 . Tuesday afternoon
After the Rooster pleasantly woke me up again I fell back to sleep & got up around 7ish (repeat of yesterday morning). This time I went to the boat dock & did some yoga… which felt great afterwards. Had some café’ w/ leche’ (milk) & azucar (sugar) asked if I could have some fresh papaya & read my book. For breakfast we ate a traditional Colombian dish~ Arepa's (eggs filled in a round corn based crust) & more fruit. An abundance of fruit is here in Colombia, such as pina (pineapple), mango, papaya & watermelon.
Today we leave to go back to the mainland around 3ish (Caribbean time probably 4ish). We just finished kayaking over to a nice beach w/ a lot of locals hanging around waiting for the Cruise ship people to arrive on some speed boats. They were catching crab & lobsters which they will probably sell to the cruisers….Marie wanted to swim back (a mile or more) so Chris & I stayed close w/ the kayaks. The wind picked up & caused a wake that it made it a little harder to swim but she persevered & proudly made it!!!
Lunch time….!
Just returned from lunch which consisted of a chicken filet, french fries (like America!) & a coconut crusted flan type dessert. On our way back to the mainland we will be on a tour boat that apparently stops at a beach for an hour or so. Marie is water logged from her swim so she doesn't want to swim any more today... Adios! ……Amy
Tuesday p.m.
We are now back at Chris’s place after 2 adventurous boat rides! Chris called it "Adventure Travel" ...The first boat was small & waves were again 4 ft or so & really BUMPY for a small boat going fast! We finally got to where the tour boat was anchored at a beach which was our next ride. This boat is open with a canopy & seats about 25-30 people & they warned us it while be rough….When we reached open water all the people in the back got really soaked. Guess where our seats were…? In the back of course….Poor Marie got it the worse having the outside seat. So much for being water logged…! We are going to relax tonight because Marie & Chris have to get up early and go to school for 7am. I will meet them later when school gets out @ 2:30pm. I may wander into Old town & ck things out…..Adios! Amy
We are now on the Isla Baru at the Sport Baru resort leaving a pleasant boat ride from Cartagena. Waves were about 4ft rollers in the end but the boat was made for them making it pretty smooth. There is no internet here because it is very rustic & tropically remote. It also is very beautiful & relaxing. The set up is very laid back here with the small staff, in fact we are the only ones here at the time! So… we have the whole place to our selves with all 20 hammocks, ping pong table, kayak, futons w/ cushy pillows, chaise lounges, quaint decks w/ look outs etc.
Upon arrival we first packed a bag & boarded another boat to ride across the bay to a beach on another bay with a little more surf. The guys that brought us over there were kind of pestering to buy goods so we gave them each some drinks from the cooler so we could have alone time…and they loved it! In the end we ended up buying a few necklaces & bracelets. : )
Came back an hour or so later & the cook made an awesome fish plate consisting of Pargo Roho (red salt water fish), coconut rice & plantane's (fried bananas)… a typical Caribbean lunch, it was delicious! Our dinner was another kind of fish topped w/capers which was awesome too!
….Later after lunch two local island girls (the massage therapist's) came in by small boat & Marie & I each had a massage on the beach where they had a table under a cabana, Paradise..! Tomorrow is Marie's Birthday! What a nice way to spend a birthday, on an Island. The gift I bought her has no wrapping so I will use some palm leaves & put some fresh flowers from the grounds on it for a ribbon. Adios! Amy
March 31st 2008 . Monday
I awoke early this morning around 6am to the sound of a Rooster, but didn’t get up until 7ish. It was neat~ like we’re at a small Caribbean farm of some sort. I picked flowers & palms from the ground's & wrapped Marie's present & asked for a vase for the breakfast table. They had fresh fruit & juice for breakfast w/ fresh eggs scrambled w/ tomatoes, onions, cheese & toast. After breakfast we were dropped off by boat to really nice beach on some private property (no one was there) w/ our cooler of Colombian beer & water. This was near where we were yesterday...It was quiet & beautiful. Our boat driver came back to pick us up for lunch ... When we arrived we ate fish steaks & coconut rice (mmmm!) We were asked if we wanted shrimp for Marie's Birthday dinner, which she was very happy to say Si Si Si !!! Needless to say she had a wonderful Birthday on the Isla of Baru….
That evening we sat on the dock & stargazed....A
April 1st 2008 . Tuesday afternoon
After the Rooster pleasantly woke me up again I fell back to sleep & got up around 7ish (repeat of yesterday morning). This time I went to the boat dock & did some yoga… which felt great afterwards. Had some café’ w/ leche’ (milk) & azucar (sugar) asked if I could have some fresh papaya & read my book. For breakfast we ate a traditional Colombian dish~ Arepa's (eggs filled in a round corn based crust) & more fruit. An abundance of fruit is here in Colombia, such as pina (pineapple), mango, papaya & watermelon.
Today we leave to go back to the mainland around 3ish (Caribbean time probably 4ish). We just finished kayaking over to a nice beach w/ a lot of locals hanging around waiting for the Cruise ship people to arrive on some speed boats. They were catching crab & lobsters which they will probably sell to the cruisers….Marie wanted to swim back (a mile or more) so Chris & I stayed close w/ the kayaks. The wind picked up & caused a wake that it made it a little harder to swim but she persevered & proudly made it!!!
Lunch time….!
Just returned from lunch which consisted of a chicken filet, french fries (like America!) & a coconut crusted flan type dessert. On our way back to the mainland we will be on a tour boat that apparently stops at a beach for an hour or so. Marie is water logged from her swim so she doesn't want to swim any more today... Adios! ……Amy
Tuesday p.m.
We are now back at Chris’s place after 2 adventurous boat rides! Chris called it "Adventure Travel" ...The first boat was small & waves were again 4 ft or so & really BUMPY for a small boat going fast! We finally got to where the tour boat was anchored at a beach which was our next ride. This boat is open with a canopy & seats about 25-30 people & they warned us it while be rough….When we reached open water all the people in the back got really soaked. Guess where our seats were…? In the back of course….Poor Marie got it the worse having the outside seat. So much for being water logged…! We are going to relax tonight because Marie & Chris have to get up early and go to school for 7am. I will meet them later when school gets out @ 2:30pm. I may wander into Old town & ck things out…..Adios! Amy
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Hola!
The school festival was a lot of fun! We stayed most of the afternoon & watched Chris run the bowling booth. The school really went all out for this...they even hired one of the most famous child stars from Colombia to perform on stage (a mini Ricky Martin). We walked around the markets this evening & bartered goods. Tomorrow @ 8a.m. we leave to Isla Baru...Sport Baru Resort. We will board a speed boat & ride about 40 miles to the island & we should arrive around 10a.m... I'm not sure of the internet access there so if I don't respond I'll be back Tuesday.
Adios! Amy
The school festival was a lot of fun! We stayed most of the afternoon & watched Chris run the bowling booth. The school really went all out for this...they even hired one of the most famous child stars from Colombia to perform on stage (a mini Ricky Martin). We walked around the markets this evening & bartered goods. Tomorrow @ 8a.m. we leave to Isla Baru...Sport Baru Resort. We will board a speed boat & ride about 40 miles to the island & we should arrive around 10a.m... I'm not sure of the internet access there so if I don't respond I'll be back Tuesday.
Adios! Amy
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