Today was our last day with Alex’s family in Cartagena. They have been wonderful with us, and I could not have asked for a better start of the trip. Most of the day was devoted to a tour of the walled city. Stepping into it was like entering a different world. We left the bustling streets and entered pastel colored alley ways. As we walked towards the first plaza we saw several falcons along with hundreds of pigeons. Shortly thereafter we came across several large iguanas basking in the park. It was truly a magical place.
As part of our studies, we have been reading and learning about Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He was clearly inspired by Cartagena, and we got a small taste of how the magic of the city found its way into his magical realism.
As the day progressed into night, we tried all the delicious food: ice cream, coffee, empanadas, and picada (aka Colombian Poutine). As the temperature cooled, street performers took over. Guitar players serenaded us, and a break dancing group provided an inspiring end to the day. It was the perfect end to our time in Cartagena.
J. Bacchus Taylor
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