……..was spent swimming at the beach in a new area, to us, of this fabulous city! Of course it was followed by another dinner out just down the street from our hotel/hostel. The beach was great and the swimming a little difficult due to the rough seas but there was lots of fun just trying to surf the waves or at least getting knocked about. Another thing we did as we were led off the streets in the old town of Cartagena was a brief tour of a mock emerald mine and of course you know this was followed by a tour of the jewelry store to look at the emeralds, Dawn’s favorite stone. I was determined not to buy but anyone can look, right? I asked to look at one beautiful ring and was told for me there was a special price of $2700US and I decided not to buy it because they did not even notice my Canadian flag on my bag. Now if they had quoted Canadian dollars, you never know! Maybe for an emerald the price wasn’t outrageous but I decided that it was truly something I could live without. As a matter of fact Dawn and I have tried really hard to spend a little money on gifts but we have found nothing that we, or our loved ones, can’t live without and as a result have probably spent less than $50 between us both. The exports here are emeralds, coffee and another one that begins with a “C” that I can’t quite remember at the moment but I am sure it will come to you. So we’re leaving here in the morning and headed to Santa Marta and will you fill you in on that stop in a couple of days. Hope all is well and that spring has Rrived now that March 21st has come and gone.