Cartegena was not at all what I expected. I guess I expected old, run down - I don’t know - like Progresso, Mexico. Instead, Much of Cartegena is actually very nice - it feels colonial, and reminded me a lot of Macau or Fredricksted in St. Croix, or like a combination of an old European town and a Caribbean town. It was very pretty!
We started our tour at the pier and headed through town into the walled part of the city where we did a walking tour for about an hour and a half/ 2 hours. Our guide was very knowledgeable and knew a lot about the history of his country and of the city. We looked at many of the residences and government buildings, and of course, their beautiful balconies (every year they have a contest to see which balcony is the most beautiful!), we learned about their important figures, such as saints, and visited some of their churches.
Our tour guide spoke English very well - the only thing I had trouble understanding was names. But the saint the talked about most was called “the slave of slaves.” This man would store food and supplies and meet every incoming slave ship. Slaves coming to Cartegena were often afraid that they were going to be eaten - a rumor that was persistent. So this saint would always reassure them - by telling them they were not going to be eaten, but that they would have to work very very hard, and that he would do what he could to help them. He would give them food and clothing and whatever else he could.
There were vendors on the streets everywhere that would walk up to you and try to sell you stuff - which was rather annoying, but I know not uncommon.
Next we got back on the bus and headed to some shopping centers (two of them - boring!!!!) Then we drove to the fortress and took pictures in front of the statue of the “half man,” another Cartegena hero, who was 14 when he had lost a leg, and by the end of his life, also lost an eye and the use of one of his arms, but still managed to lead troops and father 17 children. Half man indeed.
Finally, we drove up to the tallest point in the city, “la Popa,” which had a great view of the city and the port, and also another church. On the way up the hill, there were many poorer shacks - I guess more what I was expecting. Quite a range of lifestyles in this city.
Our tour guide, Duran Duran, (no joke), talked a lot about the new president, and how Columbia was really becoming a safer place to visit. He acknowledged the drug problem and showed us on a map where it was being grown. He mentioned (while we were pulling into port and groaning about the long line to get back on the ship because the Columbian guards were searching our bags) that while Columbia has a long way to go, with out demand, there would be no supply, etc. All in all, I think that I felt pretty safe and was pleasantly surprised and pleased with my visit.
Back on the ship, we showered and went down to dinner in Lumiere’s, where we had the Taste of the Caribbean menu. The show tonight was “Disney on Broadway,” with Sarah Litzsinger, the longest running Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and David Devries, who played Lumiere on Broadway and in several national and international productions. They performed a concert - lots of Disney of course, but also Wicked (as David Devries is currently staring in LA in Wicked - we saw him in June…) Evita (Sarah Litzsinger had recently starred as Eva Peron,) and a few others. They also shared thoughts and memories of being on stage together. In all honesty, I would have preferred more singing and less talking, but - eh - what can you do? The concert was great - they were fabulous - and seriously - Broadway? Right up my alley!
Next we headed up to the Tropicalifragilisticexpialidocious Deck Party and watched the characters come out and dance. Then we went back to the quiet cove pool where another band was playing - before finally heading off to bed. Tonight, we turned our clocks forward one last time, so we are officially on eastern time.
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