Colombia 2019

This was my fifth trip to South America but my first to Colombia. Friends had raved about the country so I invited Enrique and his friend Veronica to go with me. We were not disappointed. The country is really green. When we asked a taxi driver about summer, he said that it rains the year round. Because it was winter when we were there, we had a few overcast days and the nights in Bogota were chilly. Thank goodness our airbnb condo had an electric heater.

Cartagena

Cartagena was founded in 1533 and was the major Spanish port sending treasure back to Spain. Its walled city is filled with centuries-old homes and history and today it is popular for its beaches.

Modern skyline

Canons on the ancient walls

Above: Replica of a ship which the Spanish used.

Left: Street inside the walled city.

Right: Descendants of slaves dancing

Typical brightly-painted home with balcony

Iguanas in a city park

Veronica and I with some tropical ladies.

Tropical fruits being prepared by a Cartagena native

Statue of a priest who befriended slaves

Bill at the Gold Museum

There is art and sculpture everywhere.

I met this beautiful Cartagena gal

Gold and emerald Inca artwork

Inca goldwork

Street painting - "Smile"

Street painting

Medellín

Considered the world's most dangerous city in the 80s and 90s and today it is one of the safest. What an incredible transformation they accomplished when the citizens had had enough and took back power. It is filled with towering buildings and the barrios on the hillsides are linked via escalators and cable cars. The delightful Botero artwork is everywhere.

I really did love Medellin

Botero's art is everywhere -- here on a building near our hotel

Our hotel was in the center of town

Across from the hotel was the Antioquia Museum

The park in front of the museum is filled with statues by Botero. He donated his private art collection to the museum. The park is always filled with local residents as well as tourists.