Militarized zone in Cartagena!

So, ok, Cartagena, being the tourist town in one of the worlds most notorious countries has always had a high police presence, however now things are extreme!! This week we have the pleasure of hosting an American wide summit with 33 heads of state from all over the continent of the Americas and Caribbean coming to take part. This includes Obama for what will be a cool welcome thanks to Latin Americas backing of Cuba! the President of Ecuador is boycotting, however the other neighbour, who also has communist tendencies, Hugo "the Chav" Chavez will be here, he isnt one to back away from a confrontation!!   But as a result we have 8,000 extra police and military in town, that is on top of the normally high presence!


Now where we live is close to the historical center, where the summit is being held, but outside of the "Security Zone" however we are en route from the airport. This is the only possible reason I can think of as to why we have a soldier stationed on each corner of the cross roads at the top of the street and several more at the bottom! now I am not complaining I have never felt so safe, it is a nice feeling that if anyone tried to mug me I would just need to keep them talking for 30 seconds and a policeman would pass by, thus either scaring the mugger off or arresting him! However, it is a bizzare sight, something I have never experienced before. It will all heat up tomorrow when the presidents actually arrive. Most of them will be staying in the Santa Clara Hotel in the historic centre, so that will be closed to transport and limited public entrance, however due to lack of off street parking Obama will be staying in the less nice Hilton hotel in Bocagrande, this is the penninsular which is home to the main tourist area, there is only one road in and out and that will be pretty much blocked to traffic, people who live there have been issued car stickers, no buses taxis or moto taxis are permitted to enter. This is a problem as both my Church and the bible study I go to are there so I wont be able to go to either on Sunday. Also, tomorrow has been declared a "dia civica" which is like a bank holiday but for civic reasons, basically the people are being told to stay off the streets and dont cause any issues! As a result the Colombians here at El Refugio have decided to cancel kids church and youth tomorrow and Saturday, I don't quite understand why, but from what I understand it is almost like they are expecting something to happen. it is almost like the old paranoia from 10 years ago when the violence was a real problem here, has returned. 

I realise that 33 global heads of state being in one place at one time is a real temptation for the guerillas and paramilitary groups which are still active, but historically there have never been any issues of violence in this city, and with all the precautions being made not just by the Colombian government but all the others too on behalf of their heads of state - esp I imagine the US Secret Service, I really do not think anything major will happen, and if it did, not between Loma Fresca and El Refugio!! If anything it would be safer for the kids to come as there will be virtually no traffic on the roads (am praying I don't have to eat these words come Monday!) 


But anyway, that is the way it is, thankfully my journey to the gym does not cross the security zone  so I will still be able to go there, and there are some great looking presentations on in the theatre of cultural dance and things which are free so we will be enjoying those too. I guess I will be joining the guys at Swan Bank on Sunday night via the live feed if it is running after their annual stripping of the church for ECG!!