And it's a Wrap

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT0mG-NunzEswkzRyhfbvyLtHJ-NqERpzyalClieCRU1Fce9L1W7PbICkMSkNLTmM22LMQ9vkA8PrxyI0J6MZH9PVgOyxHa2woEhAmEJQ4-GUtBeog1houKlCs86385_8X_e3qwtwGQlM/s1600/9d805a78724911e3abc4124bebc565c2_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT0mG-NunzEswkzRyhfbvyLtHJ-NqERpzyalClieCRU1Fce9L1W7PbICkMSkNLTmM22LMQ9vkA8PrxyI0J6MZH9PVgOyxHa2woEhAmEJQ4-GUtBeog1houKlCs86385_8X_e3qwtwGQlM/s400/9d805a78724911e3abc4124bebc565c2_8.jpg" width="490" /></a> </div>In many parts of the world it is already 2014, meanwhile here 2013 is still wrapping up.  While that happens it's hard to bypass reflecting on what's been this year for us.  In my case it's been full of ups and downs, hopes and disappointments, falls and rises luckily with probably more of the latter one.  But we all know that completion and accomplishment are never awarded.  It's all part of that flurry road that opens up into success and realization.  2013 brought me the beginning of Tyche, my jewelry line.  Something that a few years ago was only a foggy wish.  From a "what if" went to a "why not"? and I couldn't be happier and more hopeful.  May 2014 unwrap in front of us full of opportunities and excitement!  Happy New Year dear readers and friends.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xoxo</span>  <span style="font-size: large;"><i>J</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />photo my me</div></div>

And it's a Wrap

  In many parts of the world it is already 2014, meanwhile here 2013 is still wrapping up.  While that happens it's hard to bypass refle...

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Our trip to Cartagena in pictures

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTxZqLEEvl4V80AT3p8jDa_F5ujML1cLPPxTiZuusCzgx_lbKFeiD3wMxg4vVazfHZbidW9XwQhcuHQX-cKAj5jwVO7usTUhELN0jagR6Fop081DVC7IgvY65kbGiAyzmSVToH9DKlMQ/s1600/IMG_9907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTxZqLEEvl4V80AT3p8jDa_F5ujML1cLPPxTiZuusCzgx_lbKFeiD3wMxg4vVazfHZbidW9XwQhcuHQX-cKAj5jwVO7usTUhELN0jagR6Fop081DVC7IgvY65kbGiAyzmSVToH9DKlMQ/s640/IMG_9907.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are like me, and travel for architecture, food, culture and fresh air then Cartagena de Indias is undoubtedly a place you should go.  The main attractions of this city is enclosed within a fortified wall built around the 1530's to protect the city from pirates who seem to be more than interested in the gold existing in ancients tombs as well as in Cartagenas's strategical trading location.  We were expecting a devastating heat while we were there however the weather was perfectly comfortable.  Sunny everyday but also breezy and very little humidity in particular during the late afternoons when the sun is setting.  Between admiring the colonial architecture and trying out the ceviche we had a very memorable Christmas and I highly recommend it.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_I0YpDrJmPiozabNjI3C19U7nxm_aah0hz-2h7j-3PXPlBnqRcGwHKTdL_2zACyYpoIKqBOMf1VVy3x0iuGNZsKxL1AuU-WtoLwGueyPN0lpUQWNQPvoRzanCS_R2lDVD328ziMJpec/s1600/IMG_9852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_I0YpDrJmPiozabNjI3C19U7nxm_aah0hz-2h7j-3PXPlBnqRcGwHKTdL_2zACyYpoIKqBOMf1VVy3x0iuGNZsKxL1AuU-WtoLwGueyPN0lpUQWNQPvoRzanCS_R2lDVD328ziMJpec/s640/IMG_9852.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMvAeTPN04EPIGdCw0nAfQO6EmZFnc-wZtrO504Qzm6hm6sk1l-W_IrLUWnCtukOVRXu2eQZ3znlvtfuKJuH4M7QXK07C5-A63N2dm-Ushflkgi2kF2_5-oolEdYHPu0l6vUaiVbiF14/s1600/IMG_9905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMvAeTPN04EPIGdCw0nAfQO6EmZFnc-wZtrO504Qzm6hm6sk1l-W_IrLUWnCtukOVRXu2eQZ3znlvtfuKJuH4M7QXK07C5-A63N2dm-Ushflkgi2kF2_5-oolEdYHPu0l6vUaiVbiF14/s640/IMG_9905.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZ4_XubpckLE0BAs7sm6dGXYvOJQ2ecMm9PyEW-xKt1kbdSHhiEy1TLBgeR9lZt0AI3DKNLUmeicPoWFWenp08KuoECZGf7su78xWGCL0Jt99mtgW-PpcYHX0o0dJSFDYoLAKqbWDU08/s1600/IMG_9909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZ4_XubpckLE0BAs7sm6dGXYvOJQ2ecMm9PyEW-xKt1kbdSHhiEy1TLBgeR9lZt0AI3DKNLUmeicPoWFWenp08KuoECZGf7su78xWGCL0Jt99mtgW-PpcYHX0o0dJSFDYoLAKqbWDU08/s640/IMG_9909.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Churches throughout Cartagena are stunning and also a chance to get to cool off while safeguarding yourself from the sun.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34481012" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEeE9yIHsKdvGRyXjjYpXJaaOfM3ogSAlxbGsNyySXFfy8swA_X0e4e4StPzrd_ncFpO30_0PjwBybcXOKwCvXg9NZxStOpEuk_83sxjRozmtMa0y8_lbAf7dEkpRaahGliNQKvREUOY/s1600/IMG_9955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEeE9yIHsKdvGRyXjjYpXJaaOfM3ogSAlxbGsNyySXFfy8swA_X0e4e4StPzrd_ncFpO30_0PjwBybcXOKwCvXg9NZxStOpEuk_83sxjRozmtMa0y8_lbAf7dEkpRaahGliNQKvREUOY/s640/IMG_9955.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">Calle Cochera de Hobo is one of the most beautiful streets in the City.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqAxSX0RZC9X2WjVU1T0XsUjXgehZF7xydVcr1DY6WBZZf0VIbHZyrY2z6bsSNW6r6b6X4Do0ItvVpPhhBgRyZ3a1enXX0BuHbWn-sJvQPXCPqs1Ca5zGvF-QcqkvL8ABkI2ahVIVFJE/s1600/IMG_9956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqAxSX0RZC9X2WjVU1T0XsUjXgehZF7xydVcr1DY6WBZZf0VIbHZyrY2z6bsSNW6r6b6X4Do0ItvVpPhhBgRyZ3a1enXX0BuHbWn-sJvQPXCPqs1Ca5zGvF-QcqkvL8ABkI2ahVIVFJE/s640/IMG_9956.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">The typical straw hats being sold on practically every street. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMg_99rme4CsK6krOqQOD25cPnZX66hIABRzqBEHEMay9EBtWvdZwge8gQwPHU7ULAO7QnrPmiWfn1v1TZ1Ihpp4YD9jskThWCkG_TlUcbo-s6oHA2I3ldjAqDbvwWKdKF7eUESkzYjZw/s1600/IMG_9849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMg_99rme4CsK6krOqQOD25cPnZX66hIABRzqBEHEMay9EBtWvdZwge8gQwPHU7ULAO7QnrPmiWfn1v1TZ1Ihpp4YD9jskThWCkG_TlUcbo-s6oHA2I3ldjAqDbvwWKdKF7eUESkzYjZw/s640/IMG_9849.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVys2wLWoQU_zyQL-2diO42RFlCb_fooH2kl_IMpxeIaNxweNSRvQ6b56fN7L3TD0MNKHxm7kO9KdPT_aTmKnU1sOJNvZZQ5104hVMP7dZXxVDUG-jdvS-3vXwVKkTFSvG1vhH2h8dTZU/s1600/IMG_9862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVys2wLWoQU_zyQL-2diO42RFlCb_fooH2kl_IMpxeIaNxweNSRvQ6b56fN7L3TD0MNKHxm7kO9KdPT_aTmKnU1sOJNvZZQ5104hVMP7dZXxVDUG-jdvS-3vXwVKkTFSvG1vhH2h8dTZU/s640/IMG_9862.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58VxPvCyomaL2-anslcRi6wVqkHayQm4OiHoMbTDAugmE39oflikpCS2R0Kf-c_BbRRIlJx6apKiNjebNtanymQt5z-E1BZAprpKvGm0htl_YKMzg-1hGyGRBiVMW5Lm8_tp8S5SBeBI/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58VxPvCyomaL2-anslcRi6wVqkHayQm4OiHoMbTDAugmE39oflikpCS2R0Kf-c_BbRRIlJx6apKiNjebNtanymQt5z-E1BZAprpKvGm0htl_YKMzg-1hGyGRBiVMW5Lm8_tp8S5SBeBI/s640/IMG_9876.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My hubby always doing silly things.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO5C-5VQd4HKFeLR00XK8d1iKIqXCAgZ3jicGqTtikEaWQIDYoH4uGh9CZ-ch2_0i6f8NcQZscDeFGIvL2Il9NDJmidKN5gqa_Pg8QvQFtjSnJpFsM4PO-WTG1XqmBlnX7rEqbEUReJU/s1600/IMG_9877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO5C-5VQd4HKFeLR00XK8d1iKIqXCAgZ3jicGqTtikEaWQIDYoH4uGh9CZ-ch2_0i6f8NcQZscDeFGIvL2Il9NDJmidKN5gqa_Pg8QvQFtjSnJpFsM4PO-WTG1XqmBlnX7rEqbEUReJU/s640/IMG_9877.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M1f3COTvTKfd-k4UssvMR-VaJvkIyFe-3-IzZWr3ZCcMuGy4QPvSa2OGEl55W4b8qM5sU0ikzLrY1oT7c8Uai9pJDVEA5KTbViah7CkH-omlVPYATkGVccPUOVX_6PvbsJCZyyAzjAA/s1600/IMG_9879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M1f3COTvTKfd-k4UssvMR-VaJvkIyFe-3-IzZWr3ZCcMuGy4QPvSa2OGEl55W4b8qM5sU0ikzLrY1oT7c8Uai9pJDVEA5KTbViah7CkH-omlVPYATkGVccPUOVX_6PvbsJCZyyAzjAA/s640/IMG_9879.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud835RVF2ABvSiXrinHoW7gfFE8BKVcHlXJxpDhZ9RscAJW95448F_UrMpO_dFGKpcFvtE8xg7qMqHpDjvfXUzavKgiNsdFHQKLRdKPw7xFuRZOhRXmtI8oyIiAoXYz3Rud3RHSMB1JA/s1600/IMG_9957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud835RVF2ABvSiXrinHoW7gfFE8BKVcHlXJxpDhZ9RscAJW95448F_UrMpO_dFGKpcFvtE8xg7qMqHpDjvfXUzavKgiNsdFHQKLRdKPw7xFuRZOhRXmtI8oyIiAoXYz3Rud3RHSMB1JA/s640/IMG_9957.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">There are horse carriages you can stop and hop on everywhere in the city. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7qlq0UT3thxl_iCrCWTMrqELOpvbHOTapf7eXbUpgP3ofRdoyZOg8XPc3vNctw-TVaKG3ag0o2NI1ZMMrKAWl-65L3d-HL1bC89bA2egkYjX_Ugrv6cmUyZSV-3md02niqFut3vdtFGE/s1600/IMG_9904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7qlq0UT3thxl_iCrCWTMrqELOpvbHOTapf7eXbUpgP3ofRdoyZOg8XPc3vNctw-TVaKG3ag0o2NI1ZMMrKAWl-65L3d-HL1bC89bA2egkYjX_Ugrv6cmUyZSV-3md02niqFut3vdtFGE/s640/IMG_9904.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plaza de San Pedro Claver<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_uEF1_kUrW4EoW4j5f6GBQyFs8_7DvjinUIQHLlzwF20SPg7i0xqu35GoHLTJnygy25pkA9MZu3dDVVL19pQU8Fcc_74IsIbmFucbM6p16fGllZv1WfKTa6mxWme83prQKnwBuNAH4/s1600/IMG_5647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_uEF1_kUrW4EoW4j5f6GBQyFs8_7DvjinUIQHLlzwF20SPg7i0xqu35GoHLTJnygy25pkA9MZu3dDVVL19pQU8Fcc_74IsIbmFucbM6p16fGllZv1WfKTa6mxWme83prQKnwBuNAH4/s640/IMG_5647.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxjP_DEYM2Mcq0gxiAsEMXt7bJsGZ8WjhGBio1HCa6yRX4r605EA0jgtUF9rJ9ks8E1BQmMsxsauOEcpJ9zxLk0BGOA6ANBL1c2Bgpd64Q7kfdUuLN5G4QB9QyO-OPCP20bzoL0Ni34A/s1600/IMG_9890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxjP_DEYM2Mcq0gxiAsEMXt7bJsGZ8WjhGBio1HCa6yRX4r605EA0jgtUF9rJ9ks8E1BQmMsxsauOEcpJ9zxLk0BGOA6ANBL1c2Bgpd64Q7kfdUuLN5G4QB9QyO-OPCP20bzoL0Ni34A/s640/IMG_9890.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Restaurante <a href="http://www.donjuancartagena.com/" target="_blank">Donjuan</a> was my favorite for lunch.  Not only for the beautiful ambiance and decor but also for the good food. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAyt7eIYop3vvCkucPCpBi7loBaMgtXoYn6iVDiYd4GCHddG87NTPdoI0BA41stxXH1P7cnoiARditnFhJqu0l3SbDZODNgluDhaOUFUtK06Km9OJ-ghSRG02K2IaotJwXxhONB_n7xs/s1600/cartagena-poolside-vera-484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAyt7eIYop3vvCkucPCpBi7loBaMgtXoYn6iVDiYd4GCHddG87NTPdoI0BA41stxXH1P7cnoiARditnFhJqu0l3SbDZODNgluDhaOUFUtK06Km9OJ-ghSRG02K2IaotJwXxhONB_n7xs/s640/cartagena-poolside-vera-484.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Restaurante Vera at Tcherassi Hotel + Spa, owned by the most well known Colombian designer, Silvia Tcherassi, was the best for dinner.  (picture above is from Bon Appetit)<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTS9HfshEWCHLyVVmhrEDsszn9CTVqxS71atrs9r-Swm_omUlhs3mBd07xm1L3eEnBCfiRyQ6UgXSqcb0nP2SB8IEBOa2TNfBUD-stcIu7ogkfMmfRU028mgjuxdg6bv92LjH9vFB3l8/s1600/IMG_9933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTS9HfshEWCHLyVVmhrEDsszn9CTVqxS71atrs9r-Swm_omUlhs3mBd07xm1L3eEnBCfiRyQ6UgXSqcb0nP2SB8IEBOa2TNfBUD-stcIu7ogkfMmfRU028mgjuxdg6bv92LjH9vFB3l8/s640/IMG_9933.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="im">We stayed at <a href="http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1871-sofitel-legend-santa-clara-cartagena/index.shtml?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Sofitel Legend Santa Clara</a>.  Located in an old monastery, the setting and decor couldn't have been better.  The service is excellent as well. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAltU4IXHZtfHbC7iMHGLuX8E_wx71uCn9ddF4KPfRXavSrkzzo6oztTCGI-GTE8WEI-zsrLEiaxGRs76eLntvLWOYT6pm-eM75ITseJ3ruzREyjVMILFBseT2acrmrhzTkVu7D2fLsbQ/s1600/IMG_9934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAltU4IXHZtfHbC7iMHGLuX8E_wx71uCn9ddF4KPfRXavSrkzzo6oztTCGI-GTE8WEI-zsrLEiaxGRs76eLntvLWOYT6pm-eM75ITseJ3ruzREyjVMILFBseT2acrmrhzTkVu7D2fLsbQ/s400/IMG_9934.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">They offer a full buffet breakfast and/or a la cart.  Colombian soft note coffee is so far my favorite coffee and when French pressed it is even better.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbR26vqt8c0Go2dfvKTherz4n2zIwD7TGfvf685P5NQGvUC2os2YaydHA5xvLznd0S9xdB8ZyTNC4KRaEjukAgQrFrbwp9LeF3rJYOYoIQdqoRc8jFuV2RjMc74hJk-RJJIeZGxFkQcs/s1600/IMG_9931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbR26vqt8c0Go2dfvKTherz4n2zIwD7TGfvf685P5NQGvUC2os2YaydHA5xvLznd0S9xdB8ZyTNC4KRaEjukAgQrFrbwp9LeF3rJYOYoIQdqoRc8jFuV2RjMc74hJk-RJJIeZGxFkQcs/s640/IMG_9931.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is outside the walled City, it's as hot as hell and you basically get to walk outside on the structure where the sun seems to bounce all over the place.  I don't really recommend a visit here, unless you are really-really into it!. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rP-7qxlFhFExiAXZG318tPDWS2l-EM_xoQ18VZzyIe1YgulEQWSeAqiuS_SFfx0w8biXtBFj1DbKi7FvZGIcVWWaCAlH1c6x-pGv7pdY-rRfDxG_lVRt3IymJ3jR9ozBSYtsAmnTbH0/s1600/IMG_9962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rP-7qxlFhFExiAXZG318tPDWS2l-EM_xoQ18VZzyIe1YgulEQWSeAqiuS_SFfx0w8biXtBFj1DbKi7FvZGIcVWWaCAlH1c6x-pGv7pdY-rRfDxG_lVRt3IymJ3jR9ozBSYtsAmnTbH0/s640/IMG_9962.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>This is Mateo.  A permanent resident Toucan of Sofitel Santa Clara.  Everyone who goes there expect to see him and get acquainted with him quickly! <br />We decided to hop on a speedboat and spend one day and night at the beach.  Our first choice for <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2013/08/on-my-travel-list-hotel-agua-baru-island.html" target="_blank">Hotel</a> didn't have any availability but everything works out for the best.  We got to spend a wonderful time in <a href="http://www.hotelmajagua.com/en/" target="_blank">San Pedro de Majagua</a> bathing under the sun, sipping mojitos and munching fish and lobster.  We couldn't ask for more. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxDv0EcNhN_qJnoW4S09THEX2z59PyanmV-w4oLD1JKYDskW06q0CJXy2dsCJlRxGywYBzis6rv9K6ZRysRJVL2_8nI70qK1x-EzUScto723mnWyglA8BwiolZvZKmLfBnfGmz-aRI1o/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxDv0EcNhN_qJnoW4S09THEX2z59PyanmV-w4oLD1JKYDskW06q0CJXy2dsCJlRxGywYBzis6rv9K6ZRysRJVL2_8nI70qK1x-EzUScto723mnWyglA8BwiolZvZKmLfBnfGmz-aRI1o/s640/IMG_0003.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyQCMfDgdEHZwoJFpxaA0VOT2G8-YLndRxwwNNSm44rXm4L4OrL53W3LYJ7m7E-Ds85tQBRh2Q39Tt74gqnBiQlGNJpLXd0MX-RVSzf5My36w5BaXyy3kD4L7AcZOKnZH8ZZW8joA8a4/s1600/IMG_9967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyQCMfDgdEHZwoJFpxaA0VOT2G8-YLndRxwwNNSm44rXm4L4OrL53W3LYJ7m7E-Ds85tQBRh2Q39Tt74gqnBiQlGNJpLXd0MX-RVSzf5My36w5BaXyy3kD4L7AcZOKnZH8ZZW8joA8a4/s400/IMG_9967.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>The Hotel has suites with outdoor spaces with hammocks where we went late afternoons tired of doing nothing.  <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34481012" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AElU8ZGO1_9fve37r5YWFaM5wdGj8ZEh-Bzbz1LGqX4-6erpdyYzgJGV4rQjvV9nBVFsEMIshbKRez9WdaIGCWrvq6e2LQTZuJnHNRTTqN_DJQEi5pYpyfO4Qzikh4kJwzZIeJ37gIo/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AElU8ZGO1_9fve37r5YWFaM5wdGj8ZEh-Bzbz1LGqX4-6erpdyYzgJGV4rQjvV9nBVFsEMIshbKRez9WdaIGCWrvq6e2LQTZuJnHNRTTqN_DJQEi5pYpyfO4Qzikh4kJwzZIeJ37gIo/s640/IMG_9999.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, when are we going back again?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_86aaOuPTJe4moEVao7FahZ5taHicDQI9EbSB_lNAO3wX6nI52a1yHjNCdOVs8fWczNrRr6I6PqBhJRDBd9j5e6qoR7zESJMd_K8g8DV17IKpjdjL2yIVCOg34-6sjhONZx8l64arFVI/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_86aaOuPTJe4moEVao7FahZ5taHicDQI9EbSB_lNAO3wX6nI52a1yHjNCdOVs8fWczNrRr6I6PqBhJRDBd9j5e6qoR7zESJMd_K8g8DV17IKpjdjL2yIVCOg34-6sjhONZx8l64arFVI/s400/IMG_0004.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34481012" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJFHsN0aXkco8-6ifi3PtzKiidc9ZZeAhoRH064mHwVuyjoBiyi8r045TXtrfC0hlNCboykEzNXaGbmFipGlKZoaWdgV6Em24YOk6zg5rH1sT2MkU8vjOf9B-m8ex_Sgyb32QUK7kfjQ/s320/5r9xt.gif" width="244" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: right;">All pictures taken by me with the exception of the Vera Restaurant. </div></div></div>

Our trip to Cartagena in pictures

If you are like me, and travel for architecture, food, culture and fresh air then Cartagena de Indias is undoubtedly a place you should go...

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Friday eye candy: Christmas

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVFsfpofWuRme6NK3wWntmu_QF7rtKnicF-gIZKh136XMQ1jJnm727FJkgcjzIW24mbO6MECq1AMmS3w_t2L73XidqnO0VB3Ot4yM6dr0dJrPaV-4IXV6HfN1aHaRZKGRpY1Wc0bj6XBe/s1600/entry+way+christmas+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVFsfpofWuRme6NK3wWntmu_QF7rtKnicF-gIZKh136XMQ1jJnm727FJkgcjzIW24mbO6MECq1AMmS3w_t2L73XidqnO0VB3Ot4yM6dr0dJrPaV-4IXV6HfN1aHaRZKGRpY1Wc0bj6XBe/s640/entry+way+christmas+decor.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Is it just me, or is there something amazingly overwhelming happy in the Christmas spirit?  We just came back from our son's School Christmas presentation and it was nothing short of watching angels singing Christmas carols.  As a designer I can appreciate the importance of the visual but when it comes to Christmas I think that what you listen to is as equal if not more important than what you look at.  Christmas kettles on the streets of New York city, 106.7 repertoire of Christmas songs all day long while watching the snow coming down, the sound of chestnuts roasting on the fire, all those experiences would not evoke the same sentiment within us if there were silence.  There is no music in this post but there are a bunch of beautiful images for those of you who are still in the process of decorating.  Enjoy!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sugz9X_J-rARPoAVfjUN4C2RtBXyHhr8Aw8Lh0q9vb-dRRea6zdwTMFX7Hqloi8aQQGs3Yfk8gNdgO6nX82CRCM6EQTLhY6thATn95FQF0DTDLttUDrinr8SN10EBzL_MPe_eKK-bnEX/s1600/mantle+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sugz9X_J-rARPoAVfjUN4C2RtBXyHhr8Aw8Lh0q9vb-dRRea6zdwTMFX7Hqloi8aQQGs3Yfk8gNdgO6nX82CRCM6EQTLhY6thATn95FQF0DTDLttUDrinr8SN10EBzL_MPe_eKK-bnEX/s640/mantle+christmas.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aHgNHE9HVPZqCGLJpZjJINbALKx4HVn4ks0MZCF70XN5yplVyHx_IEk6h6KeFO_zVr886ccOa6zQ6BDj8f3Wnb2WJ46pM-Q5TObYDBB6kruxvHNZCzsEhquCIX4P9Q_8T_jwyDAPH4J9/s1600/christmas+table+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aHgNHE9HVPZqCGLJpZjJINbALKx4HVn4ks0MZCF70XN5yplVyHx_IEk6h6KeFO_zVr886ccOa6zQ6BDj8f3Wnb2WJ46pM-Q5TObYDBB6kruxvHNZCzsEhquCIX4P9Q_8T_jwyDAPH4J9/s640/christmas+table+decor.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aHgNHE9HVPZqCGLJpZjJINbALKx4HVn4ks0MZCF70XN5yplVyHx_IEk6h6KeFO_zVr886ccOa6zQ6BDj8f3Wnb2WJ46pM-Q5TObYDBB6kruxvHNZCzsEhquCIX4P9Q_8T_jwyDAPH4J9/s1600/christmas+table+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_CikH1H5ahEqnHM2zqNfT_FeQQ4la8j4983gQkyt3RtablfB1K-ixv6HANDCk65k0ooEIAwUvLwAkLuXkJqdWledjo3Gmw_qRjBY08i2XAJPYECnETGfpBIWHLqUHpVAjIdxQayAD9lZ/s1600/HG12_CreanXmas_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="710" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_CikH1H5ahEqnHM2zqNfT_FeQQ4la8j4983gQkyt3RtablfB1K-ixv6HANDCk65k0ooEIAwUvLwAkLuXkJqdWledjo3Gmw_qRjBY08i2XAJPYECnETGfpBIWHLqUHpVAjIdxQayAD9lZ/s640/HG12_CreanXmas_3.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiml5nRwubGOZHdiGytx5Q3z2bmg3RRoFGk3ZorD2H40Fnp8eHXAkwzuvmtW3Kl36nfPtCR78QN-JjFRT-DwEP1NB-dNx7Ln_eCUW49RxADdbYuWPw7fel6ISWmWLCI7HlTSmWbZTiWcBO2/s1600/console+christmas+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="710" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiml5nRwubGOZHdiGytx5Q3z2bmg3RRoFGk3ZorD2H40Fnp8eHXAkwzuvmtW3Kl36nfPtCR78QN-JjFRT-DwEP1NB-dNx7Ln_eCUW49RxADdbYuWPw7fel6ISWmWLCI7HlTSmWbZTiWcBO2/s640/console+christmas+decor.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf7rJ1xKTfQZhpSqt1aNg7M28-OiMgzzewIWkbIkRj6x6f3fFenzJMlWwgdlCLcON9ZsLIHG-zmBXLafRFOZwpTVJNLc9vRqfBANx-75hyXkPSqaiXDkiz33_VDYf7xtOFkBA0BU_7c6h/s1600/advent4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf7rJ1xKTfQZhpSqt1aNg7M28-OiMgzzewIWkbIkRj6x6f3fFenzJMlWwgdlCLcON9ZsLIHG-zmBXLafRFOZwpTVJNLc9vRqfBANx-75hyXkPSqaiXDkiz33_VDYf7xtOFkBA0BU_7c6h/s640/advent4.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IN_GC-gDlwbwjGMIXhhbvsODC7ouN7fdBp-yOwTLRoZ5615xNHnWz0A7QRf34KfBptpEqSyJCS7mIU4Jl2-2mDwa1fqkxlrDbpDL3fDXS12P_FeHXGmmkQgmCKuRa1iZq0OKxCIGPouZ/s1600/advent5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IN_GC-gDlwbwjGMIXhhbvsODC7ouN7fdBp-yOwTLRoZ5615xNHnWz0A7QRf34KfBptpEqSyJCS7mIU4Jl2-2mDwa1fqkxlrDbpDL3fDXS12P_FeHXGmmkQgmCKuRa1iZq0OKxCIGPouZ/s640/advent5.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScOhcPlAj2wbMTUie2EDf83mR_KA_tZN2my78Nc_qY7A6xyXhDRJ16rfzWTI-O8tMbC9aLCT8b1QWsSZe4wbmxUDD49-NkLZnikZgnHySoP82nswRuir_yAOoCalLpT6iBMYTSI6jWs9c/s1600/nppr18_01_051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScOhcPlAj2wbMTUie2EDf83mR_KA_tZN2my78Nc_qY7A6xyXhDRJ16rfzWTI-O8tMbC9aLCT8b1QWsSZe4wbmxUDD49-NkLZnikZgnHySoP82nswRuir_yAOoCalLpT6iBMYTSI6jWs9c/s640/nppr18_01_051.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;">Top five pictures by Larnie Nicolson</div></div>

Friday eye candy: Christmas

Is it just me, or is there something amazingly overwhelming happy in the Christmas spirit?  We just came back from our son's School Ch...

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A very white Christmas

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_an8YYuhIhwQLfQk2Oi_-HbdDLro4hwYg5m3Vhyphenhyphen41pmxinGKk71M5B_J3lza41gVjUqjoZKcoLRG5d9L_pXRpygRxTZahhUCA3q0pgIF4DwONyTcbd7IcoF_K7-CaeH9enIKp6c9yF4h-/s1600/lilabras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_an8YYuhIhwQLfQk2Oi_-HbdDLro4hwYg5m3Vhyphenhyphen41pmxinGKk71M5B_J3lza41gVjUqjoZKcoLRG5d9L_pXRpygRxTZahhUCA3q0pgIF4DwONyTcbd7IcoF_K7-CaeH9enIKp6c9yF4h-/s640/lilabras.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>And here we go again with a good dose of decor for the most beautiful time of the year.  I personally prefer a more colorful version of Christmas decor but I have to admit that all these images here are pretty alluring and inspiring.  This year we are not doing any decorating for the season, unfortunately.  Proof that not because you love it does it mean you got to have it.  In our case and on my defense we are going to be traveling for the Holiday.  I only hope the Hotels would treat us with some really good decorations.  I look forward to seeing them.  Enjoy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TucdIc7VXdE8kuEEZbN9Xco7_9C0fTdmDKWDoFEUv4oRn8kvQJwY1itUw21fwau08ObsuSRIJsGJz6fyzNwg-F7hUqjX7MP3nXK_B8TtxcPiEWoEQAkISf9MtRRttDWwgZmRUEQCCb0/s1600/navidad%252B+natural%252Bdesdemyventana%252B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TucdIc7VXdE8kuEEZbN9Xco7_9C0fTdmDKWDoFEUv4oRn8kvQJwY1itUw21fwau08ObsuSRIJsGJz6fyzNwg-F7hUqjX7MP3nXK_B8TtxcPiEWoEQAkISf9MtRRttDWwgZmRUEQCCb0/s640/navidad%252B+natural%252Bdesdemyventana%252B2.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSswUUNYHJ_Ag9-1b9tMZgPj0I82w2coursNIqpRlTUij_KGHlg-bD8J5MXMJedzIonrCZxwc2xEebgjahWYFjYD7kH6IHTmr5rf1rS5pPLWe7dbNOCjkPEY2URjmkUPvhfpsi63l_xuHs/s1600/diciembre4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="710" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSswUUNYHJ_Ag9-1b9tMZgPj0I82w2coursNIqpRlTUij_KGHlg-bD8J5MXMJedzIonrCZxwc2xEebgjahWYFjYD7kH6IHTmr5rf1rS5pPLWe7dbNOCjkPEY2URjmkUPvhfpsi63l_xuHs/s640/diciembre4.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVPovvOE-H5__ki22V8iN_hZMIyordVIok-rltFtSnN6ovfocfrlGkpZIwy8_vYcspe9MUuyT2v2072-5w6PrRhdssEbPJFl__z0ojpdGvavn3rsgmVuouB0RjtBuMtwZ6jljwRpMZss/s1600/kitchen-decor-christmas-desdemyventana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVPovvOE-H5__ki22V8iN_hZMIyordVIok-rltFtSnN6ovfocfrlGkpZIwy8_vYcspe9MUuyT2v2072-5w6PrRhdssEbPJFl__z0ojpdGvavn3rsgmVuouB0RjtBuMtwZ6jljwRpMZss/s640/kitchen-decor-christmas-desdemyventana.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv1MDhvVHrYj_-DJmkl5zd6VhWsSCgPrtKtdvmaKIh0vf8IW_-VMLQepZNn5JavnUqvaV3r1LwIox1gNuQIFL-wwXg_ub91BIO7oijNPPpeV_GoIyBKgwfvqTwyUTQxLH8TTW6BlrRkk/s1600/gran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv1MDhvVHrYj_-DJmkl5zd6VhWsSCgPrtKtdvmaKIh0vf8IW_-VMLQepZNn5JavnUqvaV3r1LwIox1gNuQIFL-wwXg_ub91BIO7oijNPPpeV_GoIyBKgwfvqTwyUTQxLH8TTW6BlrRkk/s640/gran.jpg" width="494" /></a></div></div>

A very white Christmas

And here we go again with a good dose of decor for the most beautiful time of the year.  I personally prefer a more colorful version of Ch...

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