Archiv
CW 04 2003
20.01. - 26.01.2003
The week starts with the loss of electricity coming from ashore. A power
failure is something that does happen in Cartagena, now and again. But this
seems to be a broken fuse on the landing - something the electrician should
take a look at. But, of course, he only comes round on Tuesday … but
that doesn't really matter since the new batteries I put in in Bonaire are
really worth their money. SILVER BLUE has electricity for approx. 5 days without
having to recharge the batteries.
When the electrician finally came he found out that the problem had to be
aboard SILVER BLUE. So, piece-by-piece, I take the connection switch for the
'land electricity' apart. When I reach the connecting switch (an electro-magnetic
switch that automatically closes the circuit) I do get quite a surprise. That
thing is totally burned. So I take it out, ask around where I could possibly
get a new one and make my way into town. But, since it's already almost noon
and lots of shops are closed during this time, I take a break and visit a
steak house that I'd wanted to go to for a long time. The stop over was absolutely
worth it: you can get a huge steak here for about 8 Euro, very tender and
with baked potatoes. Mmmmmh, yummy!
Thoroughly refreshed I reach the electro-shop. Seeing my burned-out switch
they also get big eyes. Unfortunately the model I need is not on stock and
it would take 30 days to get a new one delivered. Apart from that the new
switch would cost 300 US Dollars!
| But that's no reason to give up. In Columbia things are only thrown away when they really can't be used for anything at all any more. That's why you can find certain places with "specialists" for repairs of all kinds all over town. For example, on one street corner 30 watchmakers have their little repair stands, or, in a court yard about 20 people who offer to repair various electronic household devices. There are a lot more places like this, even a place, in the shade of a large tree, where people sit around with their typewriters and you can have them type a letter or application for you. Or, there are places where an old tire rim is now used as a grill where delicious snacks are prepared right on the street. |  |
Anyway, in this electro-shop the guy starts taking my totally burned out
switch apart. Most of the contacts are dirty (probably one of those dirty
contacts caused a short circuit within the switch), but still in working order.
So, in the shop, we both start cleaning those contacts with sandpaper. Now
and again someone comes by, either to watch for a while or to sell something.
Once a whole cake changes hands and an old lady tries to sell lottery tickets.
She is so stubborn with me that I eventually tell her "estoy mondao"
and everybody in the shop cracks up laughing. That phrase, which is only used
here, means "no money" and it causes most salesmen to smile.
As soon as the switch is cleaned the cover of a different model is taken off,
modified a little and then my whole switch is put together again.
This "new" switch works just fine! The whole affair took about 1.5
hours and cost me 40.000 Pesos (approx. 15 Euro) - apart from being a lot
of fun. Before dark I've put it back in and then treat myself to a cool Aguilla
light, a very tasty local beer, at the bar.
 |
For the weekend SILVER BLUE gets cleaned completely again. There's a
rather stiff wind blowing in Cartagena which does make the average air
temperature of 30°C bearable, but which also carries a lot of dirt
aboard and even into the ship. The ships fresh polish makes rinsing the
decks quite easy though, and wiping through the interior is also quickly
done. On Friday evening there's a happy party on the sparkling ship, which
is later continued at a Spanish restaurant in Boca Grande, the tourist
capital of Cartagena. On Saturday a lot of the locals climb the hill "Sero de la Popa", the highest elevation in Cartagena, go to a church with the same name there. |
| Next to the path leading upwards are people selling drinks, small kitchens
and other salesmen. Sugar cane is offered here quite often, either in
small pieces you can chew on, or as juice, which is pressed from the cane
under high pressure. From the top of this hill you get a magnificent view of the bay of Cartagena. Unfortunately it's a little misty today, so I'll only take pictures next Saturday when this hill will be the destination of a large procession - amongst other things with lots of horses. |
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More about the "Fiesta de Candelavia" and Cartagna in one week,
if you like …
… until then, take care!
TOM
