The beauty of Colombia continues to be obscured by violence. The country seems caught in the tragic drama of narco-terrorists, guerrillas and corrupt politicians battling each other, judges, lawmakers and an innocent populace. While many are familiar with the problems of Colombia, fewer are aware of its charms—mist-shrouded mountains capped with snow, golden-sand beaches and vast green stretches of rain forest.

Our guide through the museum we visited was passionate about his homeland Columbia and, especially, Cartagena. "A beautiful country", he said, "with a beautiful and caring people". He knew he was talking to Americans who had been frequently exposed to negative press about the manufacturing of illegal drugs in Columbia. He reminded us that; although Americans might blame them for providing illegal and dangerous drugs to Americans, it is the Americans who are soliciting these drugs and if there were not the demand there would not be the supply. His charismatic approach of the subject left us feeling that both countries share this problem and the greater majority of each wishes to solve the problem.

Cartagena de Indias is legendary both for its history and its beauty. It has been immortalized on countless canvases, glorified in hundreds of books and had its every detail photographed a zillion times - and, as Colombia's most fascinating city, it deserves everyone of these tributes. The walled old town of this fortified Spanish colonial port is a gem. It's packed with churches, monasteries, plazas, palaces and noble mansions with overhanging balconies and shady patios. It pays to just wander through the old town, but some of the highlights are the Palacio de la Inquisición; the colonial mansion Casa del Marqués de Valdehoyos; and the lovely old port of Cartagena on the Bahía de las Ánimas. The main shopping center is a mecca of stores many selling jewerly of emerald stones for which columbia is well known.

Our time in this city ended much too soon and we were soon finding our way back to our cruise ship.

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