Lorica

Goods set-up in thecleaned-up old market
on the river's edge. The structure is open
to the outdoors, the rich earth colors preserved
from the original.

The first port of exit (or entry, since the Rio Sinú is an estuary) from the Caribbean Sea is Lorica. A pleasant city that, because of heavy federal and architectural input, has seen restoration with more on the way.

The market has been totally redone. It's still quite characteristic with a "food court" facing the river, across from grazing brahma bulls. Facing the interior are merchants selling various wares, mostly touristic handcrafts. The rougher and more congested part of the market is an area just behind it and, I imagine, was once housed in the large golden yellow building on the river's edge. It's in a state of filth and chaos, but it's fun.

One of the official buildings on the town square. Note many
of the original details preserved in the louver doors and
cement tile so hot right now at home....

Immediately one is struck by the older buildings several stories high, and, as Dr. Puche explained, since they weren't made of reeds and mud, many of the original details were easily maintained.

That said, I noticed a lot less vegetation in this town--no shady streets under which moss grows, and gritty dust blasts the sidewalks clean. The blazing sun bakes everything dry. It's near from Montería but a world away.