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Katie’s Aimless Wanderings
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Location Date Africa 1669420800 Europe 1646179200 South America 
1545004800 Asia 1524956400 - Colombia
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Location Date Cartagena
1545004800 Medellin 1544745600 Salento 1544572800 Villa De Leyva 1544400000 Bogota 1544140800 Tayrona National Park 1440975600 Santa Marta 1440802800 Filandia 1440630000 Zipaquira 1440370800 -
Location Date Mon, 17 December 2018 1545070901 Thu, 03 September 2015 1441278480 Wed, 02 September 2015
1441192080 Tue, 01 September 2015 1441105620
Once upon a time, many years ago ( 1741 if you want to be sniffy ), there was a Spanish guy with only one eye and one leg. He'd lost them in fighting the English poor lamb and was still hobbling around trying to defend Cartagena. He hopped about the ramparts and found himself in another tiff where he stupidly lost his other leg. And then he died. There is a statue of him here -BUT HE HAS 2 LEGS. And no eye patch! I feel I've been cheated.
This place used to be the home for pirates after gold. Francis Drake came here as well and got lots of money in return for not killing everyone. After Mr Hop-Along won the town for the Spanish, it turned into a huge port - which is a bit of a bloody cheek as THEY nicked it from the native Indians here.
3 of us slipped and slithered about in the heat and humidity for 3 hours. Gill was far more sensible and stayed in the guesthouse reading about which shop to buy our emeralds at. While she stayed cool, calm and dry, we wandered about looking like something out of Tenko. I am now recovering under a fan.
The streets here are all narrow with lots of balconies - I've tried not to take too many ' not another bloody balcony' pictures. First stop was a museum about the Spanish Inquisition which was a bit much before your breakfast had settled. They had information about how many people were rounded up by the priests and how many were burnt at the stake. Only 5 were burnt in 200 years! Imagine that. Not sure who wrote it and thought people would believe that, maybe the Pope. There was also a gallows in the courtyard and various bits and pieces to do with torture.
Almost outside I nearly stepped on all the Miss Colombia's throughout the decades starting from 1934. They are painted on the pavement every year with a little gap all ready for Miss 2015. Two special girls were set to one side as they were Miss Universe as well! What a great idea and it made a nice change from looking at chewing gum and dog *****.
Another great thing about Cartagena is the Gold Museum here. They haven't quite got their lighting or displays sorted out as in Bogota, but a soldier lets you into the bank vault and there are some lovely gold toucans and humming birds. I took a photo of the funeral urns for you all, as they had lovely smiley faces.
You will be relieved to know that I'm now up to date with the blogs so only one a day from now on. Phew! X
This place used to be the home for pirates after gold. Francis Drake came here as well and got lots of money in return for not killing everyone. After Mr Hop-Along won the town for the Spanish, it turned into a huge port - which is a bit of a bloody cheek as THEY nicked it from the native Indians here.
3 of us slipped and slithered about in the heat and humidity for 3 hours. Gill was far more sensible and stayed in the guesthouse reading about which shop to buy our emeralds at. While she stayed cool, calm and dry, we wandered about looking like something out of Tenko. I am now recovering under a fan.
The streets here are all narrow with lots of balconies - I've tried not to take too many ' not another bloody balcony' pictures. First stop was a museum about the Spanish Inquisition which was a bit much before your breakfast had settled. They had information about how many people were rounded up by the priests and how many were burnt at the stake. Only 5 were burnt in 200 years! Imagine that. Not sure who wrote it and thought people would believe that, maybe the Pope. There was also a gallows in the courtyard and various bits and pieces to do with torture.
Almost outside I nearly stepped on all the Miss Colombia's throughout the decades starting from 1934. They are painted on the pavement every year with a little gap all ready for Miss 2015. Two special girls were set to one side as they were Miss Universe as well! What a great idea and it made a nice change from looking at chewing gum and dog *****.
Another great thing about Cartagena is the Gold Museum here. They haven't quite got their lighting or displays sorted out as in Bogota, but a soldier lets you into the bank vault and there are some lovely gold toucans and humming birds. I took a photo of the funeral urns for you all, as they had lovely smiley faces.
You will be relieved to know that I'm now up to date with the blogs so only one a day from now on. Phew! X
- comments
Allan Eagle Go on Katie, paint yourself as Miss Columbia 2015 and wish for world peace.
Davy Hey Katie, Glad to here you're experiencing some of the rather "unusual" aspects of Colombia. South and Central America is a wonderfully different way of life compared to Europe. Enjoy!