India Catalina

India Catalina was the first indigenous translator for the Spaniards. Her statues are placed around the old city. She lived from 1495 until 1538. She is the daughter of an indigenous tribal chief and she was kidnapped by the Spaniards. When movie awards are handed out in Colombia, they use her statue instead of the Oscar.

 

Columbia

Our last port visit before Miami is Cartagena, Columbia. Look at all the skyscrapers. Some are businesses and some are condos.

I was told to wait in the white duty free store but I got distracted by the wildlife outside the white building.

Two crested cara caras. This is a bird and wildlife sanctuary or maybe a zoo.

Scarlet and green macaw.

Eventually, with the help of 3 store employees, I found my way to the tour. We took a bus inside the old walled city of Cartagena. Here is the Spanish fort with cannons pointing only to the sea.

This is similar to August. The children are on summer break. The temperature was 95 degrees,

A door knocker figure of an iguana and a horse. The door is so thick no one inside could hear you rapping with your knuckles. To be allowed in you must use the door knocker.

Indigenous women pose for photos and expect tips from tourists.

A chubby female statue.

On the far end of the street you can make out the dome of Saint Peter Clavel cathedral.

Our guide suggested we rest for ten minutes because of the heat and humidity. Immediately street vendors beg you to buy things. I talked to one young fellow for 7 minutes before he realized I wasn't buying.

Immediately after he left a young woman (30's?) approached me wearing purple scrubs. I couldn't get a word of what she was saying. Suddenly she started massaging my left calf. I protested out loud and she walked away fast.

We visited an air condition emerald museum. The emeralds in Columbia are the brightest green because of the lack of iron in the rock.

St. Peter Clavel cathedral is the only church in town made entirely from stone.

Statues in St. Peter Clavel square.