March 8th, Cartagena Colombia
This morning we woke up at 9 am (shocker) and decided to walk around the old city again, my main aim was to have a cup of Colombian coffee as I still hadn't had one. We even visited 2 museums on our way, but to be honest we may have spent extra time in there for the AC!
We passed by an icecream shop that we had seen packed the previous evening, and picked our ice cream. Now here's where it gets very strange. Bernie paid the cashier and along with the change she gave us a small bag of white powder. Confused we asked what it was and couldn't really understand what she was saying. I thought maybe it was sugar, but why would she give us sugar? Turns out, it's cocaine! We got given cocaine - for free - at an icecream shop - packed with families - in the middle of the day! I don't know why I'm so surprised, we're in Colombia after all.
After that little adventure we had some Colombian coffee at a cafe (only gave us coffee, no freebies here!) though my unsophisticated pallet couldn't discern the difference between this and good old Reynolds in London.
We then went for lunch to a lovely Colombian restaurant and had a meal of rice and a meat and corn coconut milk curry, unfortunately I don't remember what it was called. It was delish.
With just 20 days to go, I thought I'd been spared the curse of the 'travellers belly'. To think I was so close to making it back home without any gross stories! Anyway it hit me as we were collecting our laundry and I had to hobble jog back to the hostel as fast as I could. For those wondering, I made it with no accidents!
Since I left Bernie at the shop to go the 2 minutes to the hostel alone, I realized that this was the first time I was by myself in Colombia. I realized this immediately as the cat calling and whistling began. As a girl, one is always more aware of her surroundings as compared to boys. As a girl who grew up in India, I'm always on high alert, because that's just how it is. However all through our travels in South America, I never once came across this behaviour so I was disappointed that these few Colombians ruined the almost eve teasing free trip.
Tonight's our last night in Cartagena as we leave for the town of Santa Marta tomorrow. It's time to say goodbye with a few mojitos, I don't think food is a wise idea!
You two look well. Just remember to get rid of the white powder, you don't want to forget about it and travel with it.
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