Leaving Cartagena

We are leaving leaving Cartagena. I describe our visit here as very enjoyable and well worth the experience.  This city of color, history, and coconut candy dazzles the eyes and the sweet tooth but its hot, humid weather is almost unbearable. It is incredible hot. It makes bodily functions work as they were designed to function: consume water, perspire, clean pores. Drink water, perspire, clean pores!

Now in the last few days, we could sense the approaching rainy season that typically occurs in May and June and then again in October and  November. We saw dark clouds and had a few light showers. The bone-dry pastures and towns will welcome a nice long drink.   Unfortunately, the temperature in the rainy season as I understand it remains the same though.  It sounds pretty miserable to me . . . hot and wet. Although the landscape right now is brown and I prefer green, I’m glad our time here was during the dry season.

Before I close the chapter on Cartagena, there is a fascinating hallmark of Old Town that I’d like to share. . . beautiful brass and copper antique door knockers attached to the large wooden doors from the colonial period.   Cody and I tried to photograph each one we saw.    I read that each door knocker design has a specific meaning.  For example, a sea merchant might mount a brass fish or sea creature on his door.  While a lizard door knocker indicates royalty and a large knocker reveals high social status and wealth regardless of its design.

Here too in this final story about Cartagena, I want to share my collection of photos of some of the Colombian foods we enjoyed in our short time here . . .  Each plate was usually simple but rich in flavor and always accompanied by rice and plantains.

Dios vaya contigo, Cartagena!  Stan and I are off to Bogota!