January 8, 2025 - Sloths and Monkeys in the Park

 Today started with a walk around Getsemani, including a stop at Parque de Centenario.  That's where Roland and I watched kids roller blading.  This time, we saw sloths and monkeys.  The local guys who were wild-life spotting for a small tip, were also very excited to show us a squirrel.  Which was funny, since I have a dozen in my yard at any given moment.

After our walk, we visited the museum for Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Nobel price winning author.  While I chatted with passengers from the Rotterdam who were on a shore excursion, they did a bit of shopping in the gift shop.  I plan to go back to buy a few souvenirs - different than much of the stuff you find on the streets.

Next, we headed to the Portal de las Dulces so Maggie and Skyler could buy some treats. Then on to the

 Museum of Modern Art.  I opted to wait at a nearby outdoor cafe, which provided some excellent people watching as several shore excursions strolled by.  That was the only time I've found the vendors annoying.  They were friendly and polite but it was non-stop.  Cuban cigars, clothes, jewelry, magnets, mimes and Palenque ladies.  All but one moved on after a "no thank you" but one guy was determined to sell me something and finally the restaurant security guard asked him to go.

We stopped at Olimpica for snacks then headed back to the apartment so Maggie could get a massage from Juanita.  Later, we watched the sunset from the 31st floor, ate rotisserie chicken and fruit and played cards.  It was a great day.

Some photos!

On our way to Getsemani , we stopped at the Fuerte de San Sebastian del Pastelillo. One tour option is a ride around town in an antique convertible.   

View thru the fortress wall toward Bocagrande.

That's Manga in the background.

Getsemani is lovely and colorful.

This is a mural of old boots.  There's also a statue of the boots near the base of Cerro de la Popa.

Monkey! In the wild, in town.

Can you find the sloth?  Called a perezoso, in Spanish.  My spirit animal.

Sloth!

Sloth

The Old City never disappoints.

Bamboo in the park.

Getsemani 

This little guy was dozing on the sidewalk until someone approached his house and he went into guard dog mode.  He reminds me of Buddy.

Evelia is the nice woman I've been buying so much candy from.

These ladies are Palenqueras.  Descendants of slaves brought to Cartagena .

After a busy morning, we had lunch at Crepe and Waffles.  It's a chain in South America with a big menu, good food and a lovely shady patio. It's a five minute walk from my apartment.

Sunset from the 31st floor was great.  Later, while we played cards, we heard fireworks and were treated to a great view.  I love the views from the higher floor but my fear of heights prefers the 7th floor.