I find the colonial houses very appealing r

The gecko indicates that nuns were the original inhabitants. Not clear about the symbolism.

An owl indicates the home of a professor or learned person

John Paul II visited Cartegena in 1988. Very popular here.

Look who came walking down our street this morning! Escaped slaves from the Caribbean we're called o

Darling girl at the music school. Traditionally, braid patterns indicated a slave escape route

St Peter Claver was a Jesuit in Cartagena in 1600s. Was called the "slave to the slaves."

A renovated block. Designation as a World Heritage Site brought $ and motivation.

JP II visited in 1988 and is very popular here.

Seafood ceviche at our fancy farewell dinner.

Their chocolate ice cream was soooo delicious!

Farewell Cartegena

February 23 in Colombia ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

Cartegena’s designation as a World Heritage Site brought attention from tourists and the Cartegena government. The old buildings had great bones but they’d fallen into disrepair. Upon realization that tourists like history and charm, the locals got busy. Results are very appealing.

Cartegena has a more energetic and vibrant feel due to its location on the Caribbean coast. Many slaves from the various Caribbean islands escaped to Cartagena. The were called Maroons or Morones. The Maroon Music School is working hard to teach the African music, dance, and traditions of their ancestors. Their presence has also influenced the food — really flavorful.

Columbia considers itself very aligned with the US. Their economy appears to be in good shape and focused on helping the poor achieve financial success through improved transportation, infrastructure, and education. The 4 big regions are quite different from each other but work together harmoniously under a central government. They consider the country a strong democracy and are proud of their success in reducing drug cartel operations.

So glad we spent time in Columbia. Thanks to Kevin and Tom, we’ve now added Bolivia to our travel plans. Central and South America have a lot to offer.Read more