The Botero Museum in Bogota

By Jack Brummet, SA Travel Ed.

The [Fernando] Botero Museum in Bogota is an excellent collection and introduction to this beloved Colombian's painting and sculpture. The building itself is a large old colonial mansion, and is gorgeous, spacious, and well-laid out.

In 2000, Botero donated 123 paintings, and sculptures to the museum, as well as 85 20th century pieces from his personal collection, including art by Chagall, Picasso, Renoir, Degas, Picasso, Miro, Rauschenberg, and several French impressionist works. Botero himself chose the building, decor, lighting and the arrangement of the works into galleries.

A Joan Miro canvas in the museum

Not at the museum - KeeKee and Senor Daveed in front of a Botero sculpture in Cartagena
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Witch Interrogation in Cartagena

By Jack Brummet, Religion Ed.

According to the Museum of the Inquisition in Cartagena, Colombia (which we visited last week), these are the questions used in the 17th century to determine whether or not someone was a witch (see the text below this photograph for the questions).  Twisted, baffling, and scary.

1. Since when have you been a witch?
2. Why did you become a witch?
3. How did you become a witch and what happened on that occasion?
4. Whom did you choose as your partner?
5. What is his/her name?
6. What is the name of your master amongst the evil spirits?
7. What is the oath that you have had to render to him?
8. How and under what terms have you done it?
9. What fingers did you have to rise?
10. Where did you celebrate your wedding?
11. What demons and people attended your wedding?
12. What foods did you eat?
13. How was it served on the table?
14. Where you also sitting down at the table?
15. What kind of music was played?  What were the dances?  Did you not dance?
16. Who was assigned as your partner at the ceremony?
17. What mark did your partner make you on your body?
18. what evils have you caused? TO whom and how?
19. Why did you cause this evil?
20. How can it be remedied?
21. What kind of herbs, potions, and other means can be used to cure that curse?
22. To which children have you cast the spell of the "evil eye" and why have you done it?
23. What animals have you killed or put under a curse?  And why have you done it?
24. Who are your associates for/in evil?
25. Why does the devil strike you blows at night?
26. How do you compose/prepare your ointment or witches' brews?
27. How can you fly through the air?
28. What words do you pronounce when you fly?
29. Are you flying so fast?
30. Who has taught you to fly?
31. What worms and caterpillars/slugs have you created?
32. What do you use to make these harmful/noxious animals (worms and caterpillars/slugs) and how are they created?
33. Has put the devil a bow/ribbon on to your curses/oaths?

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