2 AT THE BAR

April 13, 2013April 13, 2013

Fun in Cartagena

So, what else did we do and see in Cartagena?

It’s so hot and humid, unless you don’t care, days have to be spent on the water. Our first day we took a 45 minute boat tour to a private island where we relaxed in sun loungers, walked a beautiful beach, had a big buffet with local specialties and fish just caught and bought countless necklaces from the relentless but harmless, colorful vendors, one whom called me “Boston” and who I promised I’d buy something from but bought from his buddy instead. Well, that didn’t fly so I had to buy a couple more necklaces to make everyone happy! Continue reading “Fun in Cartagena”

March 31, 2013

On to Cartagena

Our trip has gone without a hitch. Until now. With Bogota behind us we go to the airport to check in for our flight to Cartagena. What? Our flight was cancelled? “But we tried to call you and email you” No they didn’t. And guess what? Every flight to Cartagena is booked solid until 6P. It’s now 10A. There goes our day in Cartagena. Well, not quite. An agent for Copa Airlines is able to find us two seats on an Avianca flight just two hours later than originally scheduled. And, not just two seats but two first class seats, on them! Very nice. Two happy customers! Continue reading “On to Cartagena”

March 17, 2013

Andres Carne des Res

Well, we barely stopped for a minute in Bogota. Every restaurant we ate at was excellent (except for one). But, the piece de resistance was yet to happen.

Andres Carne de Res – we heard about it, we read about it and wondered if it was worth the hype. Should we really go? We almost thought no, but Edgar, our guide in Bogota told us we had to experience it and experience it we did! Continue reading “Andres Carne des Res”

March 10, 2013March 10, 2013

Bogota — The Mercado

We love markets and I’m not talking Whole Foods. Markets are the heartbeat of a city. So one day, we hopped into one of the little yellow taxis and went to Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao. It’s big, really big! By the time we got there at about 10:30, the market had been open for hours and the lunch stalls were busy preparing for lunch. The flower market which opens at 4AM was just about ready to close but we were able to see some of those roses!

Colombia is home to 25 varieties of mangoes, avocados the size of your head, dozens of different varieties of potatoes, fruits I’ve never heard of, fish I’ve never seen, the second largest producer of roses, and don’t forget the coffee!!

Our eyes were popping out of our heads there was so much to look at. I was really bummed that I had just had breakfast because I wanted to eat at one of the food stalls. And, I have to tell you, there was no smell, like the kind of smell you get from the fish department at Stop and Shop – none of that. Everything fresh and clean!

Here’s a sampling of a busy market:

What else did we love about Bogota? Stay tuned and see you at the bar….

March 10, 2013March 10, 2013

Bogota Street Art

Like I said, Bogota is big and sprawling. I will never complain about traffic again. It’s always a gridlock because everyone drives a car, there is no subway system, and there are 300,000 little yellow taxis all over the city. The taxis are yellow Hyundai’s that look like a Honda Fit. The taxi drivers are fearless. And, you can always get one. Continue reading “Bogota Street Art”

March 3, 2013

Viva Colombia!!

“You’re going to Colombia? Why are you going to Colombia? Colombia is very dangerous, you’ll be kidnapped. What’s in Colombia? Don’t forget to get me some drugs”! This is what I was met with when I told friends we were going to Colombia. And I must say, I did check the State Dept. travel warning site, just to be sure! But as I told myself, the good old US of A is as dangerous a place as just about anywhere! Continue reading “Viva Colombia!!”