Ballgoesrtw: New Years Eve and other interesting moments

On our first day in Caratgena we wasted the majority of the morning on a completely pointless hunt for accomodation. Basically after wasting hours we ended up staying in the same hotel which was fine but irriating. I again wasn't feeling well so spent the majority of the afternoon sleeping etc. Caratgena is ridiculously hot and there is no wind in the streets which isn't great if you have a headache. When the weather had cooled off Eli and I went on a shopping trip which turned very quickly into a browsing only trip. The clothes here are expensive England prices but they are beautiful. I think Cartagena is a very upmarket town. Eli and I wandered over a bridge to see the fortress by night, we hadn't actually seen it by day yet because it is not part of the old town. Cartagena is quite a confusing city with at least 3 distinctive central sections and then a lots of suburbs. We bumped into Fiona, who I lived with in the homestay in Quito, and went out for dinner with her and a few from her hostel. It was really cool to catch up with her. Afterwards we found Fran, James, Dustin, Sanne, Collete and Lewis who had come from Tganga and had drinks with them although I had an early night and no booze unlike some!

Street artists in the old town

The fortress by night

and by day

The next day, which was New Years Eve, I woke up again with a headache which was the fifth day running. Eli decided I should go see a doctor and so he went off on a hunt to find one in our area. After speaking to a number of naturalists he concluded there wasn't one so we went to the smart new high rise part of town, Bocagrande, and went to the hospital there. We were asked to pay $150000 pesos up front which is about 50quid then within 5 mins had a consultation, 5mins later I had a little cubicle and a bed and an English speaking doctor. He thought I may have dengue because I had a fever and a few of the symptons so they but me on a drip and took some blood samples. An hour later, after numerous long winded jokes from Eli (!) they got the blood samples back and concluded my platelate levels were normal so the doctor said I must have a virus. They perscribed me some strong painkillers I think to reduce the fever and headache and sent me on my way. I even got change from my $150000 so in total it cost about 45quid which I find amazing. I was very, very impressed with the health care system and I felt so much better. Eli if you read this, thank you again!

So later that day, now clear headed, we went up to the fortress and spent ages sitting looking over the city. It was really nice because of the wind it was cooler and the views were diverse! See below...

New Years Eve. Simon and Tom arrived whilst we were up at the fortress so we were now back in the little Christmas group minus Chris. We had cocktails on the roof terrace of some of the others hostel which was really nice. Here is Simon, me, Collete, Tom and Eli.

The cocktail bar

Dancing in the streets

We then wandered into the old town to see in the New Year. Loads of tables had been set up and families were sitting out in the streets having dinner and drinks everywhere. It was pretty packed but a really nice atmosphere, not a lets get really drunk vibe at all which was great.

Sitting on top of the old wall drinking Colombian red wine out of plastic cups...!

The midnight fireworks were great although bizzarely they didn't do a count down!

Due to not being 100% I obviously didn't drink a lot on New years eve and was in bed by about 1.30am. This meant that the next morning I was up early and went for a long walk alone around the deserted old town and along the sea front which was a nice way to start the new year!

Due to a tight schedule I had to leave Cartagena on the evening of the 1st so I jumped on a bus to Medellin. It was strange to be leaving the guys because I have spent 3 weeks with them now but it's quite cool to be back on my own. I love Colombia, it's a great country and I would definitely come back but it is a bit more pricey than I was expecting and I'm looking forward to moving south, picking up Alexa and heading in one direction without time limits.

I hardly slept a wink on the bus to Medellin and I had this crazy old guy specifically come and sit next me even though he already had another seat, that annoyed me a lot. Then, when I arrived I got conned by a taxi driver. He said the taxi was $15000 so I got the only $20000 out of my pocket and gave it to him and quick as a flash he was holding a $2000 note and saying "no, no, 15, 15." I was completely miffed but fooled and took the $2000 from him and searched for the $20000 that I knew I had. Eventually I concluded I must have lost my 20 and got another out of my waste wallet and he did exactly the same trick again. This time I clocked it and said something and he still continued to have a go at me and say $15000 and tut and roll his eyes. I went abolutely skits at him and shouted in Spanglish but there wasn't much I could do so I just stomped off. It was only $23000 that he actually stole which is about 7quid but the cheek of him. grrr.

Anyway, so I am staying at Casa Kiwi in Medellin and I spent the day wandering round the city but I wasn't really a fan. It's a confusing place with a big metro running straight through the centre. The metro does have a cable car extension though which was cool. Going to go to Ecuador now!