WE WERE NOT IMPRESSED

April 29, 2016

The old city of Cartagena was very nice, we saw some neat things, but we were not impressed by the tour.

The tour was advertised as a photo shop for two places, and then a walking tour through the old city which featured museums and churches.

Well, once we did the photo stop, and it was only one, not two, we started our walking tour.  Down the street, past this building or that one, explained by a man with an accent and a 3 inch square loud speaker, and into another street where there were 5 or 6 side walk artists (people doing art, not painting sidewalks).  We stopped at the first one and were encouraged to buy from him.  Well, he did a painting in about two minutes, using only his fingers, and dutifully impressed, we bought that one and one more (one for $7, two for $10).  Then we went into an emerald museum with a mock-up of a mine and then into a jewelry show room where we were given a chance to buy emerald jewelry.  We stood around for 20 minutes, while maybe 15% of the group looked at jewelry.  I saw no shopping bags.  Then we went to a modern art museum where someone was giving out free samples of Columbian Coffee (tasty) and we were given an opportunity to purchase coffee.  Again, I saw no shopping bags.  Then we went to tourist trap row where we were directed to Stall 18 and we didn't even go inside.  Very disappointing.  It was not a tour to show us the historical sites, but a tour to get us to buy tourist junk.  We are not pleased.

As I said, we saw some neat things and snapped some good pictures, but a walking tour of historical places it was not.

Tremendous entertainer at tonight's show.  It was supposed to be a show featuring the ship's dancers, but one girl was injured in rehearsal, and the comedian who was to go on tomorrow night stepped up and had us laughing for an hour.  Great jokes, and musical comedy, and not one single swear word.  I'll tell you some when we get home.  Jokes, not swear words.

Bonnie shall report now.

Well, we got back to the ship at 12:15 and all aboard was at 12:30. We were supposed to be back at 11 but the traffic was horrendous! Our driver did a very good job navigating thru tiny spaces and many, many cars and buses. We gave the driver a tip but not the guide. He got his from his cut from all the places he took us to shop. The street sellers were everywhere with hats, jewelry, leather bags, maracas etc. Everything you can imagine. There were women in costumes carrying baskets on their heads and for $2 you could take their pictures. Three young men did some break dancing and we did contribute a dollar.

After returning to the ship we went to lunch and watched the ship sail away as we sat at our table in the window. We returned to our room and took showers and laid down to rest. From 2-4 you could go to the atrium and they provided poster board, markers, glue, etc., to make posters to display when we go through the canal. After sleeping for about 40 minutes, I went up and made a poster. It says "Hello," and a flag of Panama, followed by "from David and Bonnie with a map of Georgia with a star placed for Augusta and a list of all the grandkids names". We will hold it up tomorrow to the camera at the appropriate time.  By the time I finished the poster David was up so I went back and changed for supper and we sat in the coffee bar outside the dining room. Supper was good. Had a good time with our dinner companions.

After supper we went to the cabaret, and got our seats and waited for the show. Very good show. Very funny comedian.  When we returned to the cabin our port hole had been closed because the ship might hit the canal on the way through and it is for safety. Bummer dude. Oh well I plan on being on deck as much as I can. I am sure they didn't close people's balconies for safety. Oh well.

Mac, Granny hopes you feel better real soon. Listen to Mommy and Daddy, even if it hurts you have to walk on it. It will make it get better faster. Granny loves you and misses you.

Okay Granny loves and misses all of you. Hey, there is only 3 more weeks of school. Woo Hoo!!

Bonnie/Mom/Granny