Cartagena trip report March 2002

[Chao]

Just got back from spending four nites and three days in Cartagena. I went down to spend some quality time with my fiancee. We are still waiting on my K-1 visa petition that I filed last month.

I found a few interesting things on this trip. First of all, about half of the places where I used my credit card (restaurants, stores, etc.) asked me how many payments (cuotas) I wanted to make when I presented my card for payment. I was thrown for a loop. Fortunately, at one of the places there was a Colombian lady who spoke English very well. She explained to me that in Colombia the merchant sometimes will ask you how many payments, or installments, you want to make on the purchase that you are making. So, I guess if you are paying by credit card, you have the option of paying in installments the purchase you are making.

Secondly, I found an Argentinian restaurant in the old town that I highly recommend. It is called Quebracho, located at Calle Baloco, # 2-69. I ordered a churrasco. It was very good. The atmosphere is relaxing. The restaurant had live music.

We discovered that the headquarters of the National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers (Federacion Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia) is located in Cartagena.

Finally, my fiancee and I went a few miles outside of Cartagena to a small lake that featured a restaurant, canoes, horses, and a garden. If you're like me and have been to Cartagena numerous times, this lake is a different thing to do. We spent a couple of hours there. It is safe to go to this lake. From the Bocagrande, it is about a 45 minute drive through congested roads.

I met two of her aunts, and several cousins. I was very impressed with the house that one of her aunts lives in. It is located in the old town, and must be at least two hundred years old, if not older.


chao

Thanks Chao. I want to get to Cartagena one of these days, as a tourist if nothing else. I hope I can find this report again when that time comes