Cartagena, Colombia, South America: Prt 1

A few months back, I spoke to my friend Alan, whom I went to school with many years ago, and he said that he was headed to Cartagena, Colombia to visit his extended family. He married a girl from Colombia, and they had a little boy who is now 1.5 years old. They wanted to take him down there to visit with the family and introduce him to them. He asked if I wanted to go, and it would give us time to catch up, have some fun, and I could explore a bit of Colombia for my eventual trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego in a few years. Yes, I still plan on riding a Harley from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (northern most accessible location in Alaska) down to Tierra del Fuego, South America (Southern most accessible location in the Americas)

Anyway, back to it. I flew out to Miami first, and then met up with Alan and Emily on Friday and we flew to Cartagena. I do enjoy foreign countries so much as it's always an adventure and such a difference in what can and can't be done, compared to the USA. For instance, on the flight from Miami to Cartagena on Avianca Airlines which by the way is a really good airline. Brand new jet liner, state of the art, personal entertainment center on each chair, and the flight only half full. Being near the front, I was able to watch as two 1st class passengers talked their way into the pilots cabin. The male passenger had been chatting with the pilots before we took off, and then took his wife and they were in with the pilots for the last hour of flight, as well as the landing. A bit unnerving, mostly cause we're brainwashed here to think that anyone that goes to the cabin and tries to get in with the pilot is some kind of terrorist. Oh well, I figured it was mostly harmless, even though they were trying to hide that fact, when they pulled the curtain. haha

On arrival, and on the way to the hotel, there were all these scooter taxi guys running around. Nobody ties their helmet on, they just plop it over their head. and they haul ass, snaking in between cars everywhere.
From our hotel, we were less than half a block from the waterfront. So we bought a 12 pack of beer that night and went down to the beach to drink and catch up.
A long shutter exposure. It was nice and warm here, the Carribean breeze made it cold for many of the locals.
Went out later that night to the old city, or better known as "la ciudad amurallada". This was the original city, and was completely enclosed by the city wall to defend against invaders, pirates and such.

We came around a corner, and I saw this old lady sitting in the middle of the walkway. So I set my camera down, turned off the flash, and then put it on timer. this is the photo I got. I tipped her a few pesos for my effort.
Colombia, and much better, Cartagena are known for their music, and the Accordion is a huge part of that music and history/culture. which started in Valledupar (which is where Alan's wife is from) I gave one of the local musician dudes some pesos, and he let me pose with his accordion next to the statues. :D An annual musical festival is held in Valledupar where thousands of people from around the world converge for a huge festival. I think Bill Clinton was at the last one...we know how he likes the curvy women. haha

Emily's brother and I. Alan and Emily had been up since 2 am to make their flights so they were too tired to go out for some drinks. So we went out and checked out some bars and night scene. His girlfriend was taking the pics.

This was the first night. Cartagena is definitely a tourist city, as well as being one of the most important port cities in Colombia and the Carribean. Founded in the 1500's by the Spanish, the history and culture (and many countries which subsequently invaded, conquered and ruled) this part of Colombia, added so much to the flavor.
The naval museum would explain so much more. Off to work tonight, so I'll post more photos tomorrow.