Trapped in Cartagena

The Stahlratte has transitioned from an excellent ocean cruise to a laborious waiting game. The aduana (customs) in Colombia apparently relies on a single individual for our vehicle import permits.

Cartagena. Beautiful? Yes. Trapped? Yes.

Hearing it from the Stahlratte's perspective, this particular individual is cantankerous and arbitrary. Often, the first trip of the season comes with newly-invented regulations and hoops to jump through, but it has never taken more than a day. This year, the first trip had to be cancelled so the Stahlratte could negotiate with the Colombian aduana. We, fortunately, were scheduled for the second voyage. But apparently things didn't get completely ironed out.

"Last breakfast aboard the Stahlratte" has become a common occurrence. Always delicious; increasingly disappointing news.

We've now embarked on our fifth morning in Colombian -- third morning on the boat hoping to acquire our steeds (no attempts over the weekend). The outlook is bleak. I have confidence that we'll get them, but it's looking like a bigger and bigger kink in our schedule. Sarah and Nadine have tickets to meet us in Quito, Ecuador, this Sunday night: a 5-day drive from here. We can make it in less, but it makes for long days on the road and little experience of Colombia.

But at this point, there's nothing to do but wait.

The streets of Cartagena.