Historic center of Cartagena
After a low-key tropical Christmas, we set off wandering again, this time heading for Cartagena to ring in the new year in this picturesque, colonial and vibrantly energetic city on the sea. We were taken under the wing of the now infamous Juan Carlos Garcia and his amazingly kind and hospitable family. Moments after arriving, we found ourselves immediately welcomed and honored to be treated as the gringo members of a close-knit, fun-loving Colombian family.
Our total immersion into the free-spirited and fun-seeking Costeño way of life was an amazingly rich experience that we were very lucky to be a part of. We spent the better parts of the last days of the year prowling the streets of the historic city in the bed of an old white pickup truck, and sampling the local flavor, in all ways possible...
New Year´s Eve 2008!
The days and nights were a flurry of salsa music and dancing, live concerts, family meals and celebrations... pure fun all around. The new sights and scenery, culture and flavor, friends and laughs made it quite an exciting celebration, with New Year´s Eve as the pinnacle of the debaucherous 4-days running fiesta. Our night started out celebrating with our new favorite family, Juan Carlos, Jose Luis, Michelle, Gabriella, Sandra, Fernando, Rosalia and Enrique, and continued into the crowded city streets rampant with rumba into the wee hours of the morning. The fiesta moved to the beach for sunrise, and continued on in true Colombian style as night became day and the New Year 2008 was upon us.
The festivities marking the culmination of one year and a fresh start to another will be hard to beat in the years to come. Thank you Colombia, and thank you Juan Carlos, Jose Luis and family. Feliz año nuevo!
Summit of Huayna Picchu
Day 2: Moments before the final ascent to the Salkantay Pass
The mighty Mt. Salkantay 
Back to civilization: Plaza de Armas in Cuzco, Peru
