Saturday had arrived and it was time to go home.
Our server at dinner last night told us the temperature rocketed up into the 40's in Cartagena in July. I simply found that impossible to believe. So this morning I had a look at the climate profile for this city and found that the daily highs and lows barely change throughout the year: daily highs between 31 and 32 and daily lows between 24 and 26. The only difference is there's some precipitation throughout the summer months and barely any the rest of the time. In fact, between December and March you can expect at most a day or two of rain. I suppose Canadian seasons have their charms, but consistently clear and hot days in a magical city was welcome in February.
This trip has been an eye-opener for Ana and I. We've realized our lived experience with Latin America is now over 25 years old, and based on our time in Colombia, it seems likely that many of the truths we hold about these places have changed, probably for the better. All the parts we loved about these countries were brightly reflected in Cartagena - the kind and gentle people, the music, the weather, the fun language, but above all the raw joy and unbridled enthusiasm for life, no matter what sort of life one has. The parts we did not like - the crime, the dirtiness, the chaotic streets, the unreliable power infrastructure and government systems - well, Cartagena leads us to believe those have improved. This trip has reignited our interest in Latin America and I expect we will make more visits to this part of the world soon.
Our trip home went perfectly - our airport transfer was on time, flight was on time, and Canadian immigration was quick, despite being pulled into secondary screening with the question "Why would you go to Colombia?"
What was our answer?
"Why not? And you should go too."
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