It would seem that the minute the calendar turned over the first day of summer, summer really began this year. We've had very warm, humid days and the pool is warming up nicely. Yesterday we spent the entire day in and around the pool. The water temperature is at a very refreshing 78 degrees; a bit chilly when you first get in but it feels wonderful once you are wet. You never know about the weather so we tend to take full advantage of good pool days when they come around. Although, this week is supposed to very hot and humid so maybe, just maybe, it will be night time skinny-dipping very soon.

I am out of shape for swimming and just managed 10 lengths. When I am used to it I normally do 30. So, I have some catching up to do. If I do 10 lengths every day I should be up to form pretty fast.

Our new cabana is lovely. With the palms, the area rug and new furniture inside, a fan that sprays cold water, it's our own little oasis. We feel like we are on vacation at a cushy resort. I think the cabana looks like something out of Arabian Nights, so we decided to call is it our chic sheik shack! Funny, eh?

The cicadas are still here but they are on the wane. We see them more now as they fly by or lie spent and dying on the grass and decks. It's sad. I keep  turning them over and they keep flipping themselves on their back again to kick at the air. I am so used to the background noise by now that it will be strange when we longer hear them. The local newspaper did print my cicada photo (this one) and gave it an inside front page spread. I was thrilled! This makes the third photo of mine to make it into the paper.

The day lilies are just now starting to bloom by the pool. We have plenty of dragonflies and even a few damsel flies which we've never seen around the pool before. The fireflies are finally showing up in greater numbers. We haven't seen as many this year it seems, but maybe they just needed a little warmth too to get them started. We sat outside last night by the pool and watched two bats swooping overhead. We used to have many more before the white nose fungus hit them so hard, so it's nice to even just see two and know that the disease didn't take them all.

I know this post isn't about Cartagena, but at least it's something! I am still sorting through the photos and trying to decide which ones to toss and which ones to feature on the blog. Don't despair, those vacation posts are coming!

 

I'm sorry, I really meant to blog today. However, I am not feeling the best and am seriously hoping that my strep is not coming back to haunt me. I was about 85% when I went to Cartagena, and felt pretty good while there, but now? Not so much.  My throat doesn't feel right and I have a funny cough. Stay tuned. I have lots of pics to share for those of you out there still interested!

 

Photo: A statue in the stairwell of our hotel. She spoke to me.

My photo with the words of someone else.

I saw this on a marquee for a dance studio in Wanaque as we were on our way to the airport last week. I thought it very apropos. 

Be careful …

We heard that over and over again when we told people we were going to Cartagena, Colombia. Some people reminded me of the movie Romancing the Stone which I guess was supposedly shot there. I need to watch it again since I don't remember that at all. Friends said be careful. My neighbor said be careful. The beautiful Colombian woman that was sitting next to me at the gate in Miama awaiting clearance from the thunderstorms said be careful after she had asked where we were going. I was definitely starting to get a bit paranoid. But, I reminded myself, none of those people except for the Colombian woman had actually ever been there before. They were going on what they assumed it was like.

It didn't help much either when I came downstairs on that first day and Paulina (the wife that led our morning tour) took one look at my "fancy" camera around my neck and suggested that I take something to keep the camera in and only take it out while actually taking photos. My heart sunk. Was it really that dangerous to go out? After spending four hours walking around the Centro on our little tour I was feeling much more comfortable. I didn't see anything that caused me to be fearful. Watchful, yes. Fearful, no. 

There were plenty of hawkers selling cheap goods and some of them didn't take no for an answer. Some needed to be told multiple times but I never felt threatened. There were always plenty of other people around on the streets.

Plaza Santo Domingo

The famous Botero sculpture in the Plaza Santo Domingo "La Gordita"

By Friday I was feeling confident enough to go out on my own. Armed with my camera bag, map, and kleenex for mopping the sweat from my brow I headed out to explore like a bold conquistador. I learned my way around the narrow streets and visited an interesting museum showcasing gold jewelry from as long ago as 500 b.c. that I would later take Rick to. The museum is also why I came back with one of the most gorgeous pieces of jewelry I have ever owned. (More on that later if you are interested. Do you want to see??)

The clock tower on the city walls.

Looking through the wall.

 We stayed within the old walls of the city and didn't venture out into "modern" Cartagena except to visit the fort San Felipe de Barajas. Things are decidedly rougher outside the walls and less clean. With so much beauty to be seen in old Centro we saw no real reason to venture out.

Our weather was wonderful. The most rain we had was on the day we arrived. Other than that we had a few sprinkles here and there and a few rumbles of thunder. My fears of tropical downpours like we had witnessed in Panama never materialized.

The food was superb, the people welcoming even though English was not widely spoken. I learned a few new words and realized that I can do pretty well reading a menu in Spanish. The wine was also good since Colombia taps into the wines from Chile and Argentina. We mostly ate fish—lots of camarón (shrimp) and ceviche. And, here is my pulpo (octopus). I know it looks daunting but it tasted like firm chicken. Not chewy at all and grilled to perfection. Delicioso!

It was a great trip and I'm so very glad that I went. Life truly does begin at the edge of your comfort zone. So next time you're going to try the octopus, right?

Stay tuned, more to come on our trip!

Right now I am sitting in the airport in Miami waiting for the next leg of our trip to Newark. I’m sitting in the bar with a nicely chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc at my fingertips.

Our flight from Cartagena was uneventful. We were on a brand spankin’ new Airbus 320, and I swear it was its maiden flight. Pristine! It had the new air filtration system where fresh air flows from above and below the overhead compartments. The seats were leather and comfortable and when you reclined, the seat bottom slides forward, leaving plenty of room even if the person in front of you reclines their seat as well. A USB port was in the seat back in front of you instead of underneath between the seats along with a cup holder and the video screen. This was coach, folks! And, get this, the plane was only halfway full so we had a whole row to ourselves. How often does happen when flying anywhere these days?

The flight was operated by Avianca airline in co-partnership with United. United could learn by Avianca’s example. They passed out hot towelettes, served us a hot meal (wine was not even extra although it was too early for that) and gave great service. I would fly them again: anywhere, anytime.

I know I have been lax about posting while there. It just never seemed to be the thing to do. There was always walking, eating,  or bobbing in the hotel pool. We filled every minute of each day. Photos have been slim too, I know. I promise you will be begging for mercy once I get home and start sharing some of them with you.

The photo editor on the iPad is not as good as on my computer at home and they are harder to manage. I promise, much more to come.

Last night we sat at the Cafe del Mar and sipped on pina coladas on the old walls of the city and watched the sun go down. It’s “the” thing to do. I’m not sure why it is that we humans are so fascinated with the sunset. Everyone clapped as it set.

We had a great time and never really felt uncomfortable even though English is not very widely spoken. We got by okay but it would have been nice to know a little bit more Spanish. I am going to hit the Rosetta Stone as soon as I get back to get ready for our trip to Mexico in late October.

I have more things to share about our journey, but those are best written about not sitting in an airport bar in Miami.

Sorry I haven’t been to anyone’s blogs to comment, I promise to catch up.

For now it will be nice to be home once again.

Photo: Hotel pool reflections in the early morning

We’ve been busy since our later than planned arrival in Cartagena. Our flight out of Miami was delayed due to nasty thunderstorms. Not that I am complaining that we left late—I would not have wanted to fly in that kind of weather anyway. Then upon our approach to the airport in Cartagena our pilot came on to tell us that the weather was not good on the ground and that we would be circling for a while until the weather cleared. However, if we didn’t get clearance to land in 20 minutes we would have to land somewhere else due to low fuel.  Thankfully, after flying in circles for nearer to 40 minutes, we landed at our correct designation. Everyone clapped when we landed.

On the way from airport our driver was side-swiped by another car and we pulled off so he could get out of the car and shout at the driver of the other car.

Since then things have gone more smoothly. Our small boutique hotel only has eight to ten rooms and our group is occupying them all. Somehow we ended up with the “Presidential Suite” which is lovely. It’s odd though because while our sleeping area is comfortably air-conditioned, our bathroom is not. Our shower is partially exposed to the outside. In this kind of humidity it makes perfect sense but was kind of a shock to walk into a room that felt like a sauna compared to the rest of the room which is kept closed off.

We have eaten well so far. I’ve tried fruits I have never seen before and grilled pulpo (octopus) which was absolutely delicious!! We had dinner the other night at a Peruvian Fusion restaurant. Yum.

We’re getting plenty of exercise walking around, but sweating buckets. It is like walking around in a sauna. I have never taken so many cold showers in my life.

Today we plan to take a taxi up to the old Spanish fort. We need to do that right after breakfast before it starts to really swelter, so I am going to close for now. There is much to tell you but I wanted to at least post something so you wouldn’t think we had gotten ourselves into trouble.

Location:Roman,Cartagena,Colombia