Sights of Cartagena, Colombia

 Just outside the duty-free shop in Cartagena, Colombia, is this sign that tells you about emeralds.

 The story about the origins of emeralds was kind of neat.

 On the other side of the duty-free shop (yes, the rum is locally made, good and every inexpensive) they have a small flock of parrots.  One morning we watched them have an argument that went something like this "hola, hola, Hola, HOLA!" Followed by much squawking.

 No arguing after lights out, evidently.

 I know, it's a little blurry, but it gives you an idea about how much fuel costs.  Although, you have to do the math from liters to gallons and go through the conversion from Colombian Pesos to your local currency.  Have fun.

Hola!

Back in the USA

Spending the months of December and January somewhere much closer to the equator makes you wish you didn't have to go home.A few days into the new year, we spent a couple days in Cartagena, Columbia.A few friends and I went on a tour of Castillo de San Felipe De Barajas (yes, I had to look that up).
This fortress is humbling. The size is amazing, the architecture fascinating and the age of such a thing is intimidating to me. I live in a very young country by comparison to much of the world.
The Colombian guide provided a brilliant recounting of the many attempts to plunder Cartagena. While a guide is not necessary, he did make for a much more entertaining tour of the fortress.
We wandered the dark, often damp, corridors in a maze that has stood for hundreds of years.
Next time, I'll try to find the Palace of the Inquisition.