Cartagena, Colombia

Indigenous peoples already had been living in this part of Colombia for thousands of years when, in 1533, Spaniard Pedro de Herdia founded Cartagena de Indias.  Many buildings remain from the past few centuries.

Cartagena has a history of being attacked or plundered, including one 1741 raid involving George Washington's brother (a bit of trivia).  The older part of the city is still surrounded by walls.

A clock tower marks an entrance to the city.

Scenes from colorful older neighborhoods.

Street vendors are commonplace throught the city.  Watermelon anyone?

Or perhaps a coconut?

Plenty of shoeshine business.

While there is much automobile traffic, some still use healthier modes of transportation.

Finally, a glimpse of urban Cartagena wildlife.

And plant life.

Ciao.