Gabo and Cranes
For my final day in Cartagena, I decide to take it easy, since I know I'm headed to Bogota tomorrow which is much more hilly terrain, not to mention the elevation issues. Omaira makes me scrambled eggs with peppers and sliced hot dog, patacon, and papaya for breakfast, then I relax in my room for a bit...checking in for my flight (which is VERY early tomorrow), setting up taxi rides with Ricki, and planning out my last day.
I head to Riquisimo BBQ where I ate my first night to try out their menu del dia--meal of the day, which is common throughout Colombia--a fixed price (very cheap) meal. Today it is chicken soup, carne, white rice, frijoles, salad, and yuca...all for less than $3. I also order a lemonada del coco which is lemons, sugar, and coconut milk topped with fresh shaved coconut--and one of the more delicious things I've ever put into my piehole. They also brought out a plate of lime slices...which I assumed I was supposed to squeeze onto my food...then I saw some women at another table who rubbed them on the spoon, then ate the soup.
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I then walk to the beach (which is literally across the street from my room) and walked around. Tons of cranes and other birds were hanging out doing cute things...and a cat who was dragging a giant piece of meat across the beach to eat it underneath a cart that wasn't in use. I also grabbed what I was told was a native beer I needed to try--Costenita--and some snacks.
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I was able to get in touch with Ricki and he drove me to the Gabriel Garcia Marquez memorial in the Old City (with a quick stop to get a photo of a sculpture I fell in love with as I passed it each day). It is on the campus of the University of Cartagena in the courtyard of one of the buildings--beautiful and very peaceful.
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I walked through the Old City (and pass by the millionth tinto seller (the photo of the old man pushing a cart of coffee dispensers--tinto is disgusting, extremely strong coffee that tastes like coffee grounds, but is extremely cheap. Apparently, while Colombia is famous for their coffee, they export most of it and only keep the bad stuff for themselves) to get back out to the Pegasos statues where there were docks that various boats use for riding around the Bay of Cartagena, and where I would be catching the boat to take me on a sunset cruise. It took a long time for me to find it...because it didn't pull in until a few minutes before it was supposed to leave.
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Pretty much worth the work to find it (and sweat lost while walking around). The boat had about 40 or so passengers, free rum punch/sangria, and amazing views of the city as the sun set. It lasted about 90 minutes. I didn't really know anyone, and there was no narration or anything, so I just took a boatload of photos. Most people were coupled off...loud music played...dancing ensued. I took the picture for a guy who wanted to stand on the bow all Titanic-like. At one point I walked to the first level of the boat and discovered a couple who had just gotten engaged. Despite the clouds, it was a beautiful night, and a great breeze coming off the water. We passed a submarine and a Norwegian cruise ship (which delayed us a bit).
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Once we got back, Ricki was late picking me up...I got the feeling he forgot and had been out with friends. He got me home, though, and we agreed to meet at 5am to go to the airport. I will miss this town a LOT. I'm excited to get to Bogota, but can't imagine it will be as awesome as Cartagena.
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