Cartagena, Colombia Shopping

My shopping partner, Irma, and I set out to see what was to be found in the walled city of Cartagena, Colombia on a day of shopping. We started this trip in the colorful shopping plaza of Las Bovedas "the Vaults", a series of arch topped cells along the northeastern wall of the city along the Caribbean Sea. Built in the early 1790's these fortifications were used to store munitions and provisions prior to becoming prison cells in later times. Today each of the twenty three long, narrow, arch-roofed cells houses a shop overflowing with colorful goods made in Colombia.

Plaza de Las Bovedas

Hand woven bags.

Colorful hammocks.

This would certainly scare the cat!

Someone finally came up with a good use for all those Molas they make in San Blas!

Of course what would Cartagena be without the famous jewelry shops? Seemingly every street has at least a few stores offering various qualities of emerald and gold jewelry, mostly emeralds set in 18K gold, 14K white gold or Sterling Silver "Plata". Quality varies widely and prices are high, so buyer beware. Educate before you go and bargain hard or you will be paying way too much. Don't be afraid to walk away and come back the next day for a better deal.

Irma shops for an emerald ring while Bob looks on worriedly. 

Lots of gold to be found as well!

On to the next street in search of treasures.

Colorful buildings abound.

At last we find the one and only antique shop in town. 

My love for ancient treasures has taken me in search of antique shops throughout our journey. Unfortunately, they have been  few and far between in our ports of call. 

All that shopping worked up a mighty big thirst!

Is it the one?

Irma declares success at last and shows off her new emerald and diamond ring.

We rendezvous with the guys at the KGB bar where apparently the Soviet Union dumped all of their memorabilia from the 1980's. 

Hey, Bob...whose that looking over your shoulder?

Marching on...

C'mon take the picture already! I'm hungry.

Down the street is an eclectic mix of decor at this Argentine themed restaurant. 

Very popular for good quality beef!

Fireworks are plentiful here with a lavish display at least a couple time each week.

So ends a successful day in the walled city of Cartagena, Colombia.

A Tour of Convent de la Popa

One of our day tours was to a popular attraction the locals call, "La Popa", short for the Convent de la Popa built in honor of Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria, the patroness of the city of Cartagena. 

Perched atop the tallest hill overlooking the city, the convent was originally built in 1608. The story goes that an Augustinian monk Friar Alonso de la Cruz Paredes said the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and ordered him to build a church on the hill closest to Cartagena in order to bring the Christian faith back to the people. Local mulattoes were said to worship a goat, a statue and shrine to which previously occupied the hill. But the monk threw the idol from the mountain and built the chapel in its place. The convent has a commanding view of the city and surrounding area. Today it is a restored chapel and religious museum open to visitors from around the world. 

Modern Cartagena with the peninsula of Boca Grande (where all of the fancy hotels are located).

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas sits surrounded by modern Cartagena.

Old walled city, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Marina Club de Pesca (center) in the inner harbor. Caribbean Sea in the distance.

The convent is built like a galley "la papa" with the chapel at one end and a central garden surrounded by living quarters. An old well occupies the center of the courtyard.

Chapel built in honor of Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria, the patroness of the city of Cartagena.

The bottom floor of the convent has been turned into a museum which houses historical documents, maps, and religious items.

Bones found on site during restoration of the convent.

Gowns used to dress the statue in the chapel for various celebrations.

Lists of the Superiors of the Convent through the ages.

Photo of the deteriorated convent prior to restoration in the 1960's

Convent today.

Of course I had to notice the skinny kitty wandering the grounds. I followed her to try to get a photo but she disappeared into an old piano and this is what came tumbling out to greet her...

Awwwwwww...too cute!

Safe haven for kittens.