Loving Columbia

Our guide, Claudia, in Cartegena, Columbia ran a guiding service that Joan found on the internet. She was great! She and her driver arrived by 7:30 am in a 7 passenger, air-conditioned van on the dock directly opposite the gangplank. It was a perfect pickup. The walk along the dock to the bus parking was about a kilometer, so getting picked up at the ship saved several minutes during our short, 5 hour port of call.
Our first stop after a drive across town, was the only hill in the entire city. A monastery was perched atop the hill with 360º views of Cartegena. We had our first of many run ins with street vendors selling cigars, T-shirts and watches. Claudia pointed out points where invading ships had tried to enter. The most stunning victory for the Spanish holding the fort in about 1741 was against an English armada of 186 ships. The Spanish guns managed to sink about a half of them before the Brits backed off. Later on the tour we saw a building that Sir Francis Drake took over as his headquarters in 1586 while he sacked the town. It had been the governor's residence. He found evidence there that suggested the governor had been forewarned by the Queen of Spain which angered him so much he burned the place down.
A jewelry shop specializing in Columbian emeralds, had a display of raw ores and a great video on prospecting and mining for emeralds. Of course we saw churches. What tour in South America doesn't? But is wasn't belaboured and the buildings were interesting. One had the remains, with skull very evident, of a famous Jesuit, Pedro Claver, who had aided slaves and became a saint.
I had my picture taken holding a sloth! Who knew sloths could be pets. He moved almost not at all and his hair wasn't soft like Blarney but rather coarse and stiff. He had that sleepy look that sloths get when they're anywhere.
We bought a mole at a small shop that was going out of business. Twelve dollars for a colourful 12X16 design that surely took someone many hours! We also had a cup of iced Columbian coffee that was more memorable than the royal wedding!
It was hot in Cartagena! Probably about 90º! Our walks were slow and short. The van was kept running and cool, and thankfully dropped us a few steps from the gangplank. Our overall impression of Cartagena was very positive. Eveyone of us was impressed with the city's cleanliness and level of energy. None of us could imagine driving there. Rules? What rules? Claudia was wonderful. Her price, at about $70 each, was slightly better than we coud have expected using the bus tours provided by the ship.