Cartegena

Trip Start Jul 16, 2007
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Trip End Jul 15, 2008


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Friday, December 28, 2007

Xmas morning and went for a walk around the old town. It is beautiful, enclosed by walls to protect against the like of Frances Drake i stroll through the narrow streets past the historic buildings with balconies and flowers over the street, passed the square with the horse drawn carts and fountain, passed the cathedral, museums and monastery, along the ramparts looking out to sea where a huge old sail ship is parked up (or is the word moored?!). The place is amazingly peaceful as most people are at home for Xmas day, the streets almost deserted except the odd police and stray vendor, and the sun shining down. Nick, Cee, Gareth and I head out for Xmas lunch, and find a pizza place open - slightly strange for Xmas. The streets start to get busier by the afternoon. The children out with their new rollerblades or bikes. By dinner we decide to go a bit up market - it is Xmas, and have a steak in the old town square. Everyone in the hostel is determined to find a party for the evening - but the ´gringos´ seem to be the only ones out for Xmas evening!

Boxing day and a last minute decision to go with the Ozzies to the mud volcano. Not much of a volcano to look at, but up some steps to the top of the core and its full of thick sloppy mud. Stepping down the slimy steps you are lowered into thick lukewarm slop - there is no touching the bottom, you are just suspended in the mud. lying on your back you are then launched across the surface with a shove to the side where there are masseurs waiting to give you a massage in the mud! Its the weirdest feeling as you struggle to upright yourself in the mud - although possible. Cartegena old town
Cartegena old town
 People tried to touch the bottom, and one person claimed he could, until we were informed the depth of the mud is between 500m and 8km (depending on who you listen to - either way he would have very long legs!). After a good soak and laugh as every now and again as big air bubbles glugged to the top causing speculation as to their sauce it was time to try and get out. Having been flashed by someone else trying to get out you then realise how difficult it is. The steps are very slippery so really need at least 2 hands holding on to the railing. However the mud also weighs down the swimming costume, so another hand is required to hold the top up, and another for the bottoms! Decisions on what to hold. Unfortunately i then swung round getting a blob of mud in the eye, so had to descend the stairs with one eye shut, half covered by swimming costume and trying to steady myself with the railings. A man slides most of the mud off the arms and legs at the top and then its down to the lake to wash it off. Multitasking i make it the lake. A women rushes over and starts scrubbing me and my hair - hardly gentle, roughly whips of the bathing costume before a word of protest can be made and starts to clean that screaming at me to scrub my arms! Returning the bathing costume she starts roughly on the ears and slightly dazed a few moments later i am clean again! Now time for a slice of watermelon to trap you to start the tipping of the cameraman, the masseurs, the scrubber....!!! Back to Cartegena for a drink at Cafe del Mar as the sun sets over the sea and city. Cartegena old town 2
Cartegena old town 2
 And on the way back we spot a waffle house - how can i resist!

Thursday avo involved a trip up to the forte, high above the sea and city, and only a 5 min walk from our hostel. I think we spent most of the time doing Nick´s bizarre photos  - to look like we are scaling the hights of the ramparts in weird positions...then from the roof  you could see all over cartegena. There were 2 massive  cruise ships docked, the 4 great cranes we saw loading crates on our arrival, a baseball pitch just below (and a baseball reporter in our hostel!). In the other direction was the walled old town and churches beyond our hostel. Within the fort is a maze of tunnels to be explored. I'm not sure if there is just a shortage of light bulbs, but walking along we would suddenly plummet into darkness and have to use our camera flashes to see ahead. Our last tunnel went down steeply, meeting a tour group coming the other way the guide kindly told us we were about to get to sea level, and sure enough shortly we had wet feet from the water. Decided not to wade much further - not quite sure what is in the water as pitch black - but the camera revealed plenty of rubbish! Prob rats too!!!

Today Dave and Chris turned up at our hostel having just flown in from panama. I felt a little guilt with a flying hi and goodbye as i headed straight off to Santa Marta to try and get on the trek to the lost city for new year. The trek to Ciudad Perdida (means lost city) is a 6 day trek to see the ruins of a city forgotten about for centuries until robbers found it. It is only accessible by foot. We arrive in Santa Marta about 7pm (the bus is way longer than expected!) just before the tour company shuts and sign up for the morning departure. A bit lacking in info as signed up at the last minute i hope Ive packed the right stuff - have to carry everything so don't want too much! Sleep now for preparation of the next 6 days.
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