January 2, 2025 - Update

 My first full day in Cartagena was quiet.  I just spent the morning getting settled and then chilled in the afternoon.  Active mornings and quiet afternoons will likely be my pattern, since it is hot.  Like, August in Orlando hot.  But there, I go from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned car to an air conditioned building.  Walking in the heat and sun is a different story.  Anyway - more photos!

I am a bit of a food hoarder.  It feels good to have a well-stocked fridge.

The beach across the street from my apartment.

Sadly, I won't be buying drinks from street vendors.  I don't trust the ice/water.

The entrance to my building.

I'm staying in Morros City.  So far, I've been very impressed with the facility and staff.

This breakfast place is right around the corner.

And, I'm a stone's through from Micky D's.  I'll definitely stop in to see how the menu is different in Colombia.

I found the HOHO stop!  Very close.

There are lots of bars and restaurants in the area I'm in.

The Holiday Inn Express is just a block from the beach. 

Steaks!

I got take out from Frisby's for dinner.  Kinda like KFC.  I didn't have the drink but the chicken was good.

When I walked into Frisby's there were two stations like this.  One was busy with a woman ordering her meal.  So I used the other one.  All in Spanish.  No problemo!  Well, it was no problemo until I got to the part where they asked for my personal details, including Identification number, phone number and address.  I double checked to make sure I'd asked for "to go" rather than delivery.  Yup.  But ID number?  It seems that citizens of Colombia have ID cards.  The number of those cards is frequently used - to order groceries, for example.  And, apparently if you want to buy some fried chicken.  I was stuck.  But, there was a guard at the nearby door so I asked for his help.

The guard was lovely - he entered my new Colombian ID # for me.  I should probably keep it a secret but it is 11111111.   He then tried to finish the transaction but the machine wasn't cooperating.  I'd already paid so he just took me to the counter, explained to someone that I didn't have a receipt and they checked and found my order.  Seems the system went down briefly during my transaction.  The guard went back to my door and I chatted with a woman who was also waiting.  She gave me the news that it would take about 30 minutes for my order.  I went and sat near the door, enjoying the view, waiting for them to text that my order was ready.  No text, instead a smiling woman brought me my bag of food.

There's a small building next to the giant highrise I'm in.  Not sure what it is but they had this giant menorah in the front yard.

That's my two piece chicken dinner.  And the receipt that rivals CVS.

The sun didn't stop shining while the rain poured for 30 minutes in the afternoon.

Everyone left the pool while it rained but the beach crowd kept going.

The chicken at Frisby's was good - but the dessert was awesome!  Tres leches.  The two pieces of chicken, which comes with four small arepas (corn cakes about the size of a silver dollar) and the yummy dessert was about $6.

I know you've probably been wondering all day, do they do the lasers every night in the Old City?  Well, they had them again last night, so I'm guessing yes.  Sorry, no photo.  Also, they didn't close the pool until 8 and didn't turn the pool lights out until 9:10.