tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82097890277473940682024-03-05T07:43:31.557-08:00SMOKE RINGS IN CUBALIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-60300973719706442662013-12-06T05:47:00.001-08:002013-12-10T11:56:08.321-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">6th December, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(via e-mail)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Lois, Robert, Llyris and Joan,<br /><br />Thank you very much for your kind words and for the blog, we do feel encouraged and more committed to excellence when our clients give us such a feed back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess you understood the complexity of the Cuban travel services’ system, and focused more on the good things and the unique values my island has ( its people above all, but also a colourful culture and idiosyncrasy resulting of a very rich history ).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Making travel arrangements for people like you, is always the most rewarding task in our job. You have got the spirit of the real travelers, you carry the flag with the heritage of the greatest explores...you are the kind of travelers that make the difference, the ones that connect different cultures, customs and knowledge between human societies and worlds. This is the ultimate purpose of travel, and unfortunately not everybody understand it. Thanks for coming to my country, and thanks for integrating with my people to learn and teach at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the way, I have just learned about the passing away of Nelson Mandela. I think we humans are far from being perfect, but he was in my opinion a very honest person, devoted to what he believed in, and above all...devoted to build a great nation including all its people. I am sure your beautiful country will carry on with the task of reconciliation and integration, and will continue to impress the world with a project of such magnitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One last thing, I kindly ask for your permission to put part of your email in our website testimonials section, including a link to your blog. Please tell me if this OK.<br /><br />Receive my warmest regards and consider us at your absolute disposal any time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Best wishes,<br />Alberto. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">alberto@cubanjourneys.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.cubanjourneys.com</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Cuba21.521757 -77.78116699999998213.978727000000001 -88.108315499999975 29.064787000000003 -67.454018499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-61466738175216907022013-12-05T10:04:00.003-08:002013-12-10T11:54:47.280-08:00<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Cuban Architecture</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the many features of Cuban architecture is the harmonious juxtaposition of different architectural styles, displayed by an impressive collection of buildings authored by both world famous local and international architects.<br /><br />The uniqueness and appeal of Cuban architecture stems not only from its quality but also from its scale. Regardless of the style, Cuban architecture is uniquely Cuban and adaptive to the Cuban enviroment and experence as seen in its adaption to the climatic conditions of the island as demonstrated by the porches and galleries of the palaces, homes and public buildings which provide the necessary shelter from the sun and the rain but whose style reflect the rhythm of the music and the vibrancy of Cuba’s street life.<br /><br />Cuban architecture boasts every style from the Renaissance as shown in the colonial stone fortresses, through the Moorish style of homes and palaces which testify to the eight century presence of the Moors in Spain, to the Baroque style of palaces and churches. Cuban architecture reflects the Neoclassic, the Eclectic, the Art Nouveau or Catalonian Modernism, the Art Déco and Streamline Moderne style influenced by South Beach in Miami, New York City and France, and Modern Architecture embraced since the mid 1940s.<br /><br />Havana, a world recognized Caribbean Metropolis with European influences, was spared the damage of the global urban renewal and overdevelopment of the second half of the 20th century it maintains intact its traditional urban fabric which together with the famous preservation efforts grant the city a great attraction for architects, artists, historians, and lovers of harmony and beauty.<br /><br />Source: Sr. Julio Cesar Perez – Arquitecto y Urbanista </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whilst I have pinched the text from the internet, all the photos were taken by Llyris Berry, Joan Mauchline, Rob Stock and Lois Kuhle. Forgive me the visual overload, but there is so much architectural delight in Cuba!</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cienfeugos</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Havana</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Note the famous Hotel Nacional on the left of the picture</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Park View Hotel (where we stayed)</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The recently renovated Sloppy Joes</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Floridita - Hemingway's haunt</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Moron</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sancti spiritus</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Yayabo Bridge - said to have been made with goat's milk to strenghten it </span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Santiego de Cuba</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trinidad</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Cuba21.521757 -77.78116699999998213.978727000000001 -88.108315499999975 29.064787000000003 -67.454018499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-53322892363349792052013-12-05T07:34:00.003-08:002013-12-10T11:52:04.554-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">VIVE LA REVOLUTION!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The revolution in the late 50’s has had profound effect on Cuba and its people. It infuses every aspect of their life, and posters, squares, statues herald Che and the various heroes. It is impossible to travel around Cuba without being reminded of the revolution – that happened over 60 years ago!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Source Wikipedia:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Cuban Revolution (1953–1959) was an armed revolt conducted by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement and its allies against the government of Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. The revolution began in July 1953, and finally ousted Batista on 1 January 1959, replacing his government with a revolutionary socialist state. The Movement organisation later reformed along communist lines, becoming the Communist Party in October 1965. The Communist Party, now headed by Castro's brother Raúl, continues to govern Cuba today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Cuban Revolution had great domestic and international repercussions; in particular, it reshaped Cuba's relations with the United States, which continues an embargo against Cuba as of 2013. In the immediate aftermath of the revolution, Castro's government began a program of nationalization and political consolidation that transformed Cuba's economy and civil society. The revolution also heralded an era of Cuban intervention into foreign military conflicts, including the Angolan Civil War and Nicaraguan Revolution.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ernesto "Che" Guevara </b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(June 14, 1928 – October 9, 1967), commonly known as el Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, his stylized visage has become a ubiquitous countercultural symbol of rebellion and global insignia within popular culture.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Cuban Flag</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">En route to Cayo Coco</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Memorial in Cienfeugos for the Angolan soliders</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cienfeugos</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In and around Havana where tributes to the Revolution seemed the most prolific</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Moron</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Santa Clara</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Santiego de Cuba</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trinidad</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the hotel in Varadero</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Cuba21.521757 -77.78116699999998213.978727000000001 -88.108315499999975 29.064787000000003 -67.454018499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-56557385477353926042013-12-04T10:49:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:49:00.246-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Photo Gallery</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was in the company of some great photographers. Before we end our journey allow me to indulge in some precious moments....</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Thank you Llyris Berry, Joan Mauchline, Rob Stock for an amazing journey. Could do it all over again. Nah, only joking....</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sergio - who made it all happen...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Cienfeugos...</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cayo Coco:</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In and around Havana:</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Moron:</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sancti Spiritus:</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Santiego de Cuba (or Santa Cuba or Cuba de Santiego - depending on how muddled Rob feels)</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">The </span><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">Cuban Trogon</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;"> or </span><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">Tocororo -National bird of Cuba</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...and back to where we started....Gatwick. </span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still the worst dressed!</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Cuba21.521757 -77.78116699999998213.978727000000001 -88.108315499999975 29.064787000000003 -67.454018499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-63010406055685534282013-12-04T08:06:00.004-08:002013-12-10T11:46:24.574-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>17th November, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><span style="color: orange;">Cuba Marathon. Run Forest Run!</span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Early this year Llyris decided to run 21kms in the
Cuba Marathon whilst on holiday. I
nick-named her Forest, as she got it in her curly head to start running in her
50’s. (Oops, age slip!). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Logistics made it difficult to apply on-line,
fortunately she was able to register at the sports centre in Havana the day before
the race. Llyris had committed to run, and not wanting to disappoint her
traveling fan club who had followed her around Cuba, she paid her £65 unaware
that the heat and humidity would make it a very difficult run.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was an Italian couple staying at the hotel who had come specifically to run. Together they joined the other estimated 3,000 runners at 6am. At the time of
registration <span style="color: orange;">Llyris was the only South African entrant</span> and mentioned that her
country's flag was absent at the start. It was with great pride that the flag was
flying high on the day!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_REFx2YSDaZEnwtNI2kynWZ2xsdkxMFtEE1aYZ_wy-jPm0-qI7BSghuAw1jAuzlki6DYe-XiOMX2gM4r5UemAz7tjHBrZyxMizogv3OhXZRhSrY0YNEpU_mVZjwWXF8ji7q3PU96YNw/s1600/DSCN9241+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_REFx2YSDaZEnwtNI2kynWZ2xsdkxMFtEE1aYZ_wy-jPm0-qI7BSghuAw1jAuzlki6DYe-XiOMX2gM4r5UemAz7tjHBrZyxMizogv3OhXZRhSrY0YNEpU_mVZjwWXF8ji7q3PU96YNw/s320/DSCN9241+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The race started at 7am. The physically disabled led
the way, men and women in wheelchairs and on crutches made a stout effort in
what was to be a challenging race.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RrM8ixRnH2Y2XZCw24UYOP2NjcpFOTH26VYNBsP21HsbwtyGj2a9dnSfzQ5z5ZmrvSWo20a2IAkYYcBWMeowKohC-gnALdgEVH9JkHDAc7QiXuhdcXtbEWqImqNU2GTg8closC4nXQ4/s1600/DSCN8258+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RrM8ixRnH2Y2XZCw24UYOP2NjcpFOTH26VYNBsP21HsbwtyGj2a9dnSfzQ5z5ZmrvSWo20a2IAkYYcBWMeowKohC-gnALdgEVH9JkHDAc7QiXuhdcXtbEWqImqNU2GTg8closC4nXQ4/s320/DSCN8258+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The race was split into 5 and 10kms, half and full
marathons. The route was a loop from Old Havana, along the Malecon, past the
Cohiba Hotel, Zoo, City sports centre and Revolution Square.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At 6am on the way to the Marathon the heat and
humidity were already at a high. Walking along the Paseo de Marti Boulevard the
birds were just waking up, and careful not to get shat on, Llyris and her
friends hurried under the tree lined avenue.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSP2hKQkgtfHVPOiPDZJyw7VvfZNTxW8yRfyGVmjILPpsEt7shXq_TjN3Gz_ZMIdyE2BITj3a_QwbAaYMOE8PJB0usDdYgF-0grnaBF7QUjmaHIHiTwsnnoQL-MAetDNB-Mtd5-xfbwA/s1600/DSCN9233+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSP2hKQkgtfHVPOiPDZJyw7VvfZNTxW8yRfyGVmjILPpsEt7shXq_TjN3Gz_ZMIdyE2BITj3a_QwbAaYMOE8PJB0usDdYgF-0grnaBF7QUjmaHIHiTwsnnoQL-MAetDNB-Mtd5-xfbwA/s320/DSCN9233+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the first two k’s of the race Llyris was
already feeling exhausted and unsure whether she would make the next 19kms.
There was no water available, and already suffering from the heat and humidity,
she managed to beg water from a distribution lorry. Thereafter, water was
available every km plus infrequent portable sprays to cool down the runners.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUgRRC1PVExue7qgIx89NSrTWhD0X41GfvND010jxK8U191DySRKv8dfI3EkvcAoodFvGhQ-4AXh7hD7NAen7oLsuSaNfI0yfR85MvUlxwPzFR1BHnziul5BqnWuYqaJaR7SUfQ2t-qQ/s1600/DSCN9252+(800x747).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUgRRC1PVExue7qgIx89NSrTWhD0X41GfvND010jxK8U191DySRKv8dfI3EkvcAoodFvGhQ-4AXh7hD7NAen7oLsuSaNfI0yfR85MvUlxwPzFR1BHnziul5BqnWuYqaJaR7SUfQ2t-qQ/s320/DSCN9252+(800x747).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wearing a shirt with the SA flag and 'South Africa'
clearly embolden on her back she received some cheering, with shouts of 'Nelson
Mandela' and 'South Africa'! Llyris walked some of the distance preserving
energy, making sure that she finished and did not dehydrate. Her avid fans
stood by waving her SA flag swimming shorts, sorry that they had not brought a proper flag along. Other supporters from Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Italy were better
organized.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftUNAFmmsvW5QTL4YDq8r7oLWwyHgkQdHT288qgkzgBVZspXUALYgcAWFo-IlbKRAq0Jk_DeFxVHTU9FtN5Hl-m1BlAsQTAnBF5HvVn6A3aJsGTC2c2StsQYsnh0O_AAzn7JYCU_wxqI/s1600/IMG_9677+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftUNAFmmsvW5QTL4YDq8r7oLWwyHgkQdHT288qgkzgBVZspXUALYgcAWFo-IlbKRAq0Jk_DeFxVHTU9FtN5Hl-m1BlAsQTAnBF5HvVn6A3aJsGTC2c2StsQYsnh0O_AAzn7JYCU_wxqI/s320/IMG_9677+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In typical Cuban style horse carriages, buses
spewing out carbon monoxide, vintage cars and bicycles weaved their way around
the runners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seeing Rob wave her SA shorts in the air one km
before the end was an exhilarating feeling. She had been planning this trip and
Marathon for months and she had finally finished! Runners were led through a
tunnel where medical examiners questioned them about their state of health.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the venue the day before Llyris struck up a
conversation with a local young runner. Through garbled conversation she
promised him her shoes after the race. It is incredible to see the condition of
the shoes these runners manage to complete these gruelling events. Even more
incredible is how they manage to sniff you out among a seething mass,
determined for you to fulfil your promise. Him and a few others! Communication
can be difficult and Llyris was offered a package filled with sculpted gifts by
rural folk from Camaguey, for no reason at all!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcARas1l6T4MSQ2r0vuV0_Oxg45uRMSrJnUqq0o7e_uxcdSQsXhPRC-_-YMhJ6qpI-BPf6c7w-Kk8N3eCQPV_SVp0h6CMxvttdX0MIeC_19OM-mZ3Q362vXHAg-72Tvwg-dJPr6YYrMDA/s1600/DSCN8270+(600x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcARas1l6T4MSQ2r0vuV0_Oxg45uRMSrJnUqq0o7e_uxcdSQsXhPRC-_-YMhJ6qpI-BPf6c7w-Kk8N3eCQPV_SVp0h6CMxvttdX0MIeC_19OM-mZ3Q362vXHAg-72Tvwg-dJPr6YYrMDA/s320/DSCN8270+(600x800).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Llyris' time was 2 hours 38 mins 51 seconds as
opposed to her average of 2 hours 20 mins. This was not an easy race, but an
excellent achievement in an exotic location. Medals were handed out at
registration supposedly to avoid confusion the end.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We returned to the hotel, a hot shower and a visit to a serene waterfall at Soroa </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">70kms</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> outside of Havana.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;"><b><i>VICTORY!</i></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIZy5mR-Q54ino-R0zNmijuo4gXOGXJ6oZ8GpZNDIc0I-a1EJD2YhfQ-Y8F5w2-QmWVtATaT-PNZSUO4hfP_RuH8hswHFLfEqdmUqAkEt5LUdSssg8LSjXPqkcgSy_t4ez-nmYs6oS5Y/s1600/DSCN8324+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIZy5mR-Q54ino-R0zNmijuo4gXOGXJ6oZ8GpZNDIc0I-a1EJD2YhfQ-Y8F5w2-QmWVtATaT-PNZSUO4hfP_RuH8hswHFLfEqdmUqAkEt5LUdSssg8LSjXPqkcgSy_t4ez-nmYs6oS5Y/s320/DSCN8324+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Havana, Cuba23.1168 -82.38855699999999222.649255 -83.034004 23.584345000000003 -81.743109999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-20984712409435280552013-12-04T07:50:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:44:40.110-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>15th November, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Heading for Havana</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like homing pigeons we found our way back to Havana
after spending most of the day in Veradero. The weather was grotty, so the
beach was out of the question. We drove down to the end of the peninsula, open
mouthed at the volume of accommodation available, with construction continuing.
I can't even imagine what it must be like in high season. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWQnT-BcTNm5DiMa-V4QoxW0dc8hcwpBtzU6EVkqaAeBNU1b6AlOj7jesOTSz38UNI_HmLZoS_TRgn1ZQt6oTxdwmTBo-R_aMzl5jO_9ePPyZoXDIkBNCKdAkS28NIFBmnyzCJx-eMzI/s1600/DSCN9137+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWQnT-BcTNm5DiMa-V4QoxW0dc8hcwpBtzU6EVkqaAeBNU1b6AlOj7jesOTSz38UNI_HmLZoS_TRgn1ZQt6oTxdwmTBo-R_aMzl5jO_9ePPyZoXDIkBNCKdAkS28NIFBmnyzCJx-eMzI/s320/DSCN9137+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The impressive Mansion Zanadu, formerly owned from 1920-50 by American millionaire Alfred Irenee Dupont. Now a restaurant with limited accommodation. Close by is the Varadero Golf Course, a big draw card for tourists. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a1_y-RnmtAZEQKPSc_1g3SeLCq4-oagEN3uz4jTtuSKhFnUn0vh5BzCf9vOyVepXhiHbjHi4NRIDyYsDrg3FU56jdZANc2n-tl7RdZZd3x266s5dkEIaxdnu86shfHp3e6cRxLj4EQg/s1600/DSCN8251+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a1_y-RnmtAZEQKPSc_1g3SeLCq4-oagEN3uz4jTtuSKhFnUn0vh5BzCf9vOyVepXhiHbjHi4NRIDyYsDrg3FU56jdZANc2n-tl7RdZZd3x266s5dkEIaxdnu86shfHp3e6cRxLj4EQg/s320/DSCN8251+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are many 'flea markets' each selling the same
things (just like Africa). We found a young jeweller and his father who make
bracelets from old silver forks and spoons. The son was the Cuban backstroke
champ for 6 years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before leaving the peninsula we sat on the curb with
all the karrietjie mense (Cuba's version of horse cart drivers!) and ate pork,
rice, sweet potatoes, green and black beans, a hearty meal for 3CUC (R30). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W8voTYuXTUawiqNFrxCcQrP5ME6Z7Hslny0LJQAwa1-UqSkdDLZYj1sdwe299FjwD00JUqCYB-GYx83cZksYI1FHJP1ZDvO6vwnOvNfaXBz4p1pwFPEE-gino1ajWzIicf2RbRXkx1c/s1600/DSCN9150+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W8voTYuXTUawiqNFrxCcQrP5ME6Z7Hslny0LJQAwa1-UqSkdDLZYj1sdwe299FjwD00JUqCYB-GYx83cZksYI1FHJP1ZDvO6vwnOvNfaXBz4p1pwFPEE-gino1ajWzIicf2RbRXkx1c/s320/DSCN9150+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hair raising street dining. Acutally I am talking nonsense. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Just jealous of Llyris' abundant curls.</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We settled into the Park View Hotel, our home for the
next 3 nights. Rob had met a young artist 2 weeks ago called Jose Claudio
Rodriguez Liy and was still keen to buy his paintings. We eventually found his
gallery and between us all we bought 5 pieces. In order to ‘export’ art from
Cuba you need to get a permit which has to be declared at the airport.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-xLG6Y8_E-CqAgeFWs70TYq-yRwMOgWQCbY9hP-N9QklJHEmTRK1bN2jJLw4F976DjQ4hJMgPIK1UqixXAKSCa2XGEESyoXCA98I5Vp7Ie5WMG_wPB3HiGau64ET-r4qyrvdAvbNv6M/s1600/DSCN8319+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-xLG6Y8_E-CqAgeFWs70TYq-yRwMOgWQCbY9hP-N9QklJHEmTRK1bN2jJLw4F976DjQ4hJMgPIK1UqixXAKSCa2XGEESyoXCA98I5Vp7Ie5WMG_wPB3HiGau64ET-r4qyrvdAvbNv6M/s320/DSCN8319+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Desperate to eat something different we tried to find
a restaurant that offered some variety, but settled for an average meal at the
hotel.</span></div>
LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Havana, Cuba23.1168 -82.38855699999999222.649255 -83.034004 23.584345000000003 -81.743109999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-6763365621774607522013-12-04T06:47:00.005-08:002013-12-10T11:42:18.703-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>14th November, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Washing of the bones.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have done almost a full circle. 14 days of pure
Cuba. After some debate it was decided we would head towards Varadero, the
holiday Mecca of Cuba. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">En route we stopped at Cienfegues. At the entrance to
the town is a cemetery built in memory of a sugar Barron's young son who died
of TB. Probably the most interesting tour we have done. Tombs are above ground
and bodies are exhumed after a year when the family gathers to wash the bones. They
are then replaced in a separate section of the grave, giving way to recycle the
tomb. If your fella was a Casanova don't be surprised to find a group of
senioritas to help you. Imagine the bone throwing that happens then.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Note how these mass graves are raised. The tombstones on the top have been taken from graves, bones washed and collectively gathered. Mass graves are used for poorer people who worked in specific fields, like doctors, engineers, teachers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every major town in Cuba has a memorial site for those
who fought in Angola. When Mandela came into power he enabled the Cuban
Government to collect the bones of the fallen soldiers, to be washed and
brought back home. It was an important gesture from South Africa.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have agreed that we are pretty useless tourists and
dragged our feet around Cienfegues in the heat. The architecture is amazing, as
with most places in Cuba.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The four hour drive to Veradero had its hair raising
moments, wedging Joan further into her corner -more silence from the back seat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We settled on a rather miserable 2 star Government
nationalised hotel, called Herradura (should be Horror-dura), Rob and I drawing
the long straw for the Rosita Fornes suite, complete with rusty fridge,
dilapidated balcony, peeling paint and door-less cupboards.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>These photos actually give the Horror Hotel more credit than it deserves, with a balcony you don't want to step off!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a couple of drinks at a local drinking spot,
listening to traditional music. We moved on to the Salsa Suarez restaurant where we had
the best meal so far. I had camonores (prawns) in 'bang bang' sauce which I had
to send back to get rid of one bang! Eish, hot!</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Varadero, Cuba23.179858 -81.18852930000002723.0630725 -81.349890800000026 23.2966435 -81.027167800000029tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-17888065384279861952013-12-04T06:31:00.004-08:002013-12-10T11:40:10.117-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Horse Power</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cuba has had a long tradition of using horses for riding and for urban and rural transport. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The national population of horses has been in decline for some time and now stands at about </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">400,000. Recent trends suggest resurgence in the use of horses for pulling carts and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">carriages, and the population may stabilise or even grow. Mules (30,000) are mainly used for </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">riding and packing in the mountain areas (one quarter of the country is hilly). There is quite a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">small population of donkeys (6000) that are mainly used for breeding mules. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since 1990, and the break up of the socialist trading bloc, Cuba has been experiencing </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">special economic conditions, with problems relating to the cost and/or availability of fuel and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">spare parts for motor vehicles. This led to an increase in the use of horses for both rural and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">urban transport. Private operators provide public transport in many towns using horse-drawn </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">buses and carriages. The government regulates these, and licence conditions require animals </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">to be inspected. There are limits to the permitted loading of horse-drawn passenger and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">freight transport. Pack transport in the mountains is unregulated, but overloading does not </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">appear to be a problem. Although some animals used for urban transport are thin, animal </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">health and husbandry is generally good, with excellent veterinary services.</span><br />
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<i>Source: The importance of horses, mules and donkeys in modern Cuba.</i><br />
<i> by Paul Starkey, Arcadio Ríos, Humberto Valdés and Pedro Sotto.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This hilarious picture was taken in Moron. The owner handed over the reins, and his hat, to Llyris who sat comfortable in the seat. Meanwhile (back at the ranch) Rob was terrifying some poor old dear in the back with his best Spanish translation of how she could expect the ride of her life!</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was us buying lunch on the street in Varadero where the buggie drivers were also dining.</span></div>
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<br />LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Cuba21.521757 -77.78116699999998213.978727000000001 -88.108315499999975 29.064787000000003 -67.454018499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-78667651838544006242013-12-03T10:34:00.003-08:002013-12-10T11:38:47.060-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19.1875px;"><b>Yank Tanks</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><b>We have put together a collection of Cuban cars.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><i>(Thanks Llyris and Joan!)</i><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><b>Please don't ask me what they are. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><b>I am a girl and haven't a clue.</b></span></span></div>
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<b>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">To look less car-silly I have extracted this from Wikipedia!</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><span style="color: orange;">Yank tank or máquina</span> are the words used to describe the many classic cars (eg: 1957 Chevrolet, 1953 Ford, 1958 Dodge, etc.) in Cuba with an estimated <span style="color: orange;">60,000</span> of them driving the roads. In 1962 a United States embargo against Cuba was introduced, cutting trade between the two countries, meaning that the cars in Cuba could no longer receive new replacement parts. The only way to keep these cars on the road is by using Cuban ingenuity to adapt household products and Soviet technology. If a car is unable to be repaired, it is usually either “parked” for future repair or “parted out” (to produce extra income for the owner’s family) so that other cars can remain on the road. During the years of Soviet Union influence on Cuba, Ladas, Moskvitchs and Volgas became the main cars imported by the communist regime mainly for state use. As a result of these internal economic restrictions, there is no such thing as a new or used private European or Asian automotive dealership branch in Cuba for independent purchasing by regular Cubans.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><b>Currently, it is estimated that there are some 173,000 cars in Cuba, of these it is unknown how many are yank tanks and considered road worthy.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span>LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Cuba21.521757 -77.78116699999998213.978727000000001 -88.108315499999975 29.064787000000003 -67.454018499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-84197656367492617092013-12-03T08:56:00.001-08:002013-12-10T11:37:20.036-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>13th November, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We take so much for granted - </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>like being able to flush
loo paper.</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Trinidad we were told to dispose of the
paper into a bin. Not for the squeamish. If you have a stubborn bowel a glass
of tap water will quickly sort that out. We used our filter bottles but they
weren't always great germ guardians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The casa particulars are always keen to cook dinner
for you. Naturally they make a CUC or ten from this. It was a shame that we
felt a bit bullied in Trinidad as the home cooking wasn't the greatest and on
our last night we discovered some fine dining establishments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is also sensible to determine the price of
everything before you commit, otherwise you end up being charged a premium for
a service and it's very hard to negotiate backwards. We also got a bit fed up
being charged a CUC ($1) for everything. Parking, entering, looking. By the
time you add up the 1CUC here and there you have spent a day’s budget on
intangible things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On our last day in Trinidad our hostess, Rita, gave us
a guided tour. A fascinating little town of 75,000 people with between 3 -
4,000 tourists (local and foreigners) passing through each day. It was so hot
and sadly we had the attention span of an ant before deciding to retreat to
the beach. There it poured with rain, and as Rob had gone to visit a sugar
estate we were grounded - on our 2CUC per sun beds which we refused to
surrender. Eventually we bolted to the beach bar to spend another fortune on
mojitos.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And you don't get more salsa than this....</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Trinidad, Cuba21.80423 -79.98483299999998121.7452565 -80.065513999999979 21.8632035 -79.904151999999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-51758322522884666502013-12-02T12:03:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:35:41.396-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>12th November, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Touring Cuba, the way we have, reminds me of when I
walked across burning coals. </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the time you are so overwhelmed by the experience
it is difficult for it all to sink in. It's only once you climb onto the Virgin
plane to go home do you start to comprehend what an amazing journey it has
been.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trinidad is a stunning town, a UNESCO world heritage
site with the most magnificent buildings, stuck in between a 400 year old
heritage and coming to a grinding halt in the '50s. There are no regulated
standards for accommodation, which is all priced between 35-40CUC per room (R3-400). You
may be lucky and stay in a well-furnished place with nice linen and cutlery
or....not. Food has little variety and the menu is stuck on pork, chicken and
seafood accompanied by salad (cucumber, tomato, grated cabbage and sometimes
avo), rice with black beans, bread and fruit - guavas, papaya and white
pineapple. (Be careful as papaya in Cuban has another meaning and you may be
asking for female genitals!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Up to this point we believe we have seen Cuba at it
most 'native' with hardly any tourists, which is probably why our red number
plates have been drawing such interest. Trinidad on the other hand is seething
with tourists, bringing along with them the need to tout, push up prices,
litter and a plethora of souvenirs and Chinese crap.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the seasoned African driver self-driving in Cuba
is not difficult. It is run on a horse and pedal power, with a few motorbikes
thrown in (side cars are popular in the towns and cities). Between them and
pedestrians they have the right of way and they are not intimidated by large
trucks. Overtaking on the bumpy roads can be hair-raising. At the onset of our
trip it was decided that Rob and Llyris would drive, assigning them the two
front seats. Joan and I happily settled in the back and we were frequently
'shushed' when we chirped with any driving instructions or contributions to
directions. When the driving became hazardous Joan would embryonically wedge
herself between her seat and the door, curling herself into a foetal ball small
enough to fit back in her mother's tummy! We knew things were getting bad when
Joan started to wedge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our hosts were Rita and Pepe. Llyris and Joan stayed with a doctor and his wife about a block away. When we arrived Pepe stupidly handed Llyris the keys to his bike and off she and Rob went on the cobbled road. I am not sure who was more surprised Pepe or me. Couldn't believe he could be so stupid!!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next day we drove into the Topes de Collantes to hike
to the waterfall, along with hundreds of others (sadly). I was under the
impression that it was an easy walk. Bah! So not. A 5km round trip, admittedly
in a beautiful lush forest, but descending steeply to the falls and a pool.
What goes down must come up and if it wasn't for the refreshing swim in the
pool at the bottom, I don't think I would have made it back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We drove down the Peninsula Ancon and swam in a better
version of the Caribbean (Santiego de Cuba having been hugely disappointing).
It was after 4 but a lone fellow still insisted on hiring out goggles for 3CUC
(R30). When he wanted 1CUC for parking we all barked at him! We drove a little
further down the beach to a bar and had 'the best mojitos' in town watching the
sun set (everyone claims to make ‘The best mojitos).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dinner was at our house and whilst 10CUC is excellent
value the precious lobster was over cooked. Rob and I walked around the buzzing
town after dinner following the sound of live music. The square was writhing
with tourists fawning over the local talent, desperate to move their salsa hips
to the infectious music. </span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Robert dining under the brassier - literally!!</i></b></span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Trinidad, Cuba21.80423 -79.98483299999998121.7452565 -80.065513999999979 21.8632035 -79.904151999999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-64729872101638276962013-12-02T11:25:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:32:22.726-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>10th November, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cuba is astonishingly clean. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Africa could take a lesson or two from this.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have now been here for a week and starting to learn
the ropes. Cuba is an experience and home stays are an eye opener. It is
important to either book through someone like Sergio or to get referrals. But
question the type of accommodation, although that too can be deceptive. Make
sure you take soap, a towel and linen is often a bit shabby (and towels are
small). If you forget your flannel or sponge - beware you will spend the rest
of the trip washing with a pot scourer (as I have done). We brought bottles
with charcoal filters to avoid littering the place with plastic bottles. Most
of the time you can drink the water but it has a distinct chalky flavour, and it can sort out the most stubborn bowel. We opted out of breakfast at Santiago's
house, he was a little intense and we wanted to flee his crowded apartment.
They charged 5CUC (R50) - pricey - and it was a good decision. Cafeterias along
the road are cheap, we bought 4 rolls, 2 coffees and fresh pawpaw juice for
less than 2CUC (R20). Try and exchange CUCs for local pesos.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cuba is also astonishingly clean. There is absolutely no litter anywhere.
Horses have sacks to catch manure and although there are no visible dustbins,
plastic and papers are not part of the landscape. Africa could take a lesson or
two from this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Road signs are erratic. GPS don't exist and the best
way around is to ask locals who are more than willing to run, drive, cycle
ahead until to 'arrive at your destination' and be rewarded with a CUC or 2. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We drove 6 hours from Holguin to Moron, staying at
Marcel and Roberto's very smart casa. We arrived at lunch time and headed
straight for the beach at Coya Coco. Moron is small and not that complicated,
but I think we were all brain fried and it became like a Douglas Green ad. We
passed the same bunch of loitering youths about 3 times who were eventually
rolling on the floor laughing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To get to Coya Coco you cross over a man-made causeway
that's 20kms long. Locals have to get permission to cross and there is
a 2CUC toll each way. The beaches are polluted with fully inclusive hotels
pumping with overweight tourists. We managed to sneak onto a beach and slip
onto a veranda where Alberto snuck us beers and Cuba Libras, surely pocketing
the money. He also produced 2 rather average pizzas, for which we were grateful
as we were starving. The sea was beautiful, although milky, and the beaches
white and narrow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dinner was at the casa, another meal of prawns and
pork. Marel had invited Miguel, a geography and history professor who now
teaches extra English lessons, and thrilled to practise his English on us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Address: 77 Serafin Sanchez, Moron. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hosts: Marel and
Roberto.</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Cayo Coco, Cuba22.5090128 -78.40697319999998222.0395158 -79.052420199999986 22.9785098 -77.761526199999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-69279331871448874542013-12-02T10:51:00.003-08:002013-12-10T11:30:28.485-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>9<sup>th</sup> November, 2013.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Living with a Cuban family means just that. Warts and
all.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the morning the neighbours got together and washed
our car - making it look as good as new. They were thrilled with the 3CUC we
gave them, but maybe it was because they thought we were making the neighbourhood
look untidy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We stopped on the road and had coconuts. A thrill as
these were the first we had seen on this tropical island.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On our way out of SdC we stopped at the garage where
we lost our petrol money and gave them a piece of our tourist mind. Glad to get
that off our chest we headed out on the 3 hour drive to Holgiun.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today we got a good taste of what casa particulars are
all about. Living with a Cuban family means just that. Warts and all. Limited
accommodation, sharing bathrooms, a neighbourhood that seems a little rowdy. No
258 was arranged by Carolina. Our host, Santiago and his lovely wife Consuela
are doing their best to be the best. He got a little overpowering and being an
engineer was quite fastidious. We had lobster for dinner which was obviously a
treat, but came at a price (12CUC/ R120). Perhaps cheap for lobster but each
meal is starting to add up and making our eating out budget a little pricey. It
is important that you get referrals from a trusted source for your
accommodation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Look out for the Blue Anchor signs to indicate the Casa Particulars.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>It is recommended that you get trusted referrals for accommodation.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We went to the beach at Guardalava, bathing with Cubans of
every shape and size (and in various states of undress). The beach is beautiful -white sand and aqua blue water.
Just as I piped up about the thrill of no beach boys, what appeared to be a
lifesaver, tried to sell us cigars. Carolina had packed our left over dinner in
a cardboard box and we sat like stray dogs with our plastic spoon, scooping
rice, chicken and prawns from our ‘doggie-box’. Rob joined a collection of
beach singers. We couldn’t figure out if they were friends or enemies –
exploding periodically, forcing the security guards to make peace. Topless
ladies swanned around totally uninhibited. Llyris paraded in her South African
flag shorts. No-one recognised her at all!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Llyris eating out of our 'doggie box'.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Flying the flag in </i></b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: orange;">Guardalava</span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Address: apartment 3, 258 N Lopez, 2 do Piso, Holguin.
Hosts: Santiago and Consuela.</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Guardalavaca, Cuba21.125 -75.82888889999998121.0953755 -75.869229399999981 21.1546245 -75.788548399999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-47126514479578646622013-11-30T05:32:00.003-08:002013-12-10T11:25:08.581-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>8th<span style="font-size: large;"> November, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">One should always allow for shrinkage on holiday.</span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We filled up with fuel and looking confused (in a CUC
garage with red plates it's easy), a youngster on a motorbike offered to help.
Rob willingly handed over 40CUC (R400) with Llyris exclaiming <span style="color: orange;">"he's giving
our money to a total stranger"</span>. Quite predictably he bolted with the money
leaving us to confront a rabid young petrol attendant, as, once again, the
situation was lost in translation!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We went to the very sacred <span style="color: orange;">Basicillice del Cobre</span> close
to an old copper mine, and home to the Black Madonna. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NVqpcgwWn_6KVgZnnSGvxb5Z67SDdUTKX1QotI1euC6mOC_dnrcnXzWiAXd2zinOGVtfALcK4iC1RhsRcLdPwqcoA4ynmQCKjC7o05wsos1svpKEBtsVm0luZ0gGTJU46Gs6xfR4F5g/s1600/IMG_3406+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NVqpcgwWn_6KVgZnnSGvxb5Z67SDdUTKX1QotI1euC6mOC_dnrcnXzWiAXd2zinOGVtfALcK4iC1RhsRcLdPwqcoA4ynmQCKjC7o05wsos1svpKEBtsVm0luZ0gGTJU46Gs6xfR4F5g/s320/IMG_3406+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The nearby pit from the mine is filled with florescent
blue water.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtAYlXbKT_lj1h9BuZEVie_CpRsgy8b-e4pR62S8ykBSj6aoqM2YNwT9RPME8XiiPqxqXZWw2LzHWdVjheCxYxZ5izKfKHYmdvz_9nKyfVF_GbncMu1B6HvsuPYdSTK3EYCQPqBARgbU/s1600/IMG_3411+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtAYlXbKT_lj1h9BuZEVie_CpRsgy8b-e4pR62S8ykBSj6aoqM2YNwT9RPME8XiiPqxqXZWw2LzHWdVjheCxYxZ5izKfKHYmdvz_9nKyfVF_GbncMu1B6HvsuPYdSTK3EYCQPqBARgbU/s320/IMG_3411+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We drove to the <span style="color: orange;">Sierra Maestra Mountain Range</span> and had a
spectacular view over SdC - or Santa Cuba or Cuba de Santiago, depending on
Rob's mood. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATn2fgDkB0-9j3v_uEg8kWrVUp6aaK11bYN_k83l9qJ4gNRCh78A70hxeekIq-ZdZGOc_omfyinDbMFe50I974SLK-5arlU3_kTSIouULLJrHPKE14z8PbtABMUAQIu1iv9fDdqcOc-0/s1600/IMG_3424+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATn2fgDkB0-9j3v_uEg8kWrVUp6aaK11bYN_k83l9qJ4gNRCh78A70hxeekIq-ZdZGOc_omfyinDbMFe50I974SLK-5arlU3_kTSIouULLJrHPKE14z8PbtABMUAQIu1iv9fDdqcOc-0/s320/IMG_3424+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We headed to the beach at <span style="color: orange;">Buanito</span> for Joan to fulfil
her fantasy of swimming in the Caribbean. First disappointment was the awful
beach – the annoying beach boys, the warm water, the mangy dogs and the old
lady washing her dirty plates where we were swimming. We ate at the beach bar
and had a good meal of fish and langoustine, all washed down with beers to keep
the humour flowing. We learnt that the beaches in the north of Cuba - on the Atlantic Ocean - are far better than the Caribbean side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beware: bathroom facilities in Cuba are a little scary at
times!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We headed back to town and to the <span style="color: orange;">Castillo del Morro</span>
to watch the sunset. Built in 1637 it latterly became a prison in 1775. It was
smoulderingly hot and we limped around until the sun set magnificently over the
placid Caribbean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">On the way home the car came to a spluttering halt in
the middle of peak hour traffic. Pushing the car to the side, gasping with the
CO2 fumes, a guy offered to help, and to his and our amazement Robbo instantly
figured out the problem - half a ton of petrol on the road said it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="color: orange;">The mad
mechanic hadn't put the fuel pipe back on properly.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBKrOVET82jGrV637_F9Fwg2Oj4MjkGFO8jgU0UYidrmTPtA-_dS3c2S-FqkwefdqPiAJ9V02CoF1gavb49nCGqwaXWewOaCQprhdRbhiFf1lQoygslXWgYQIHZBWdhad4zvlpdEc84o/s1600/DSCN8698+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBKrOVET82jGrV637_F9Fwg2Oj4MjkGFO8jgU0UYidrmTPtA-_dS3c2S-FqkwefdqPiAJ9V02CoF1gavb49nCGqwaXWewOaCQprhdRbhiFf1lQoygslXWgYQIHZBWdhad4zvlpdEc84o/s320/DSCN8698+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Carolina and Ronaldo had prepared a lovely meal of
rice, chicken and shrimp prepared in layers and covered with mayonnaise. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Luis
joined us and we had fun evening learning more about Cuba over a bottle of
Havana Club.</span></span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Santiago De Cuba, Cuba20.028891 -75.82898699999998419.909541 -75.990348499999982 20.148241000000002 -75.667625499999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-90858887620446730982013-11-30T04:59:00.004-08:002013-12-10T11:25:48.619-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>7th November, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And like mad dogs and Englishmen we chose
today to walk around SdC. Our guide was Luis, I can't remember his surname, but
it translates to 'Beautiful'. 28 year old Luis is a Uni prof, in architecture,
earning 22CUC ($20) a month. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about
buildings. We felt lucky having him for the morning. We walked around the old
town, learnt its history, visited many cultural centres, and got glared at as
we stood out like Tommy Tourist (it’s the beginning of the season and there
aren’t many of us around, yet!). </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpZ6MCV_U6zdKGWW_vY6ITGPHl9xNYWxaVKbOcXVJBQ1AWItosOQ96pisMsziXG6ZjqhfPJ_F4dx8Topo-sNG6mWUGc8B9YZPCe1lO2jhPbScACqiQUAoyU7lqp4PuRM9rtDui-390wA/s1600/DSCN7858+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpZ6MCV_U6zdKGWW_vY6ITGPHl9xNYWxaVKbOcXVJBQ1AWItosOQ96pisMsziXG6ZjqhfPJ_F4dx8Topo-sNG6mWUGc8B9YZPCe1lO2jhPbScACqiQUAoyU7lqp4PuRM9rtDui-390wA/s320/DSCN7858+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Spot the tourist!</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFXah6wIwwwMMml2G2KlmJW4fl3cu0304e5FXXnWBVSjSEgkCb7j3JJ6zQb2zuKPjUDB0JwzZvCYstr_JpeB98e2vJKkk8kdu71KzVMzM1AH9EfR1oFWLW250qROSPr8LwrLbRYfp17Y/s1600/DSCN7850+(800x604).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFXah6wIwwwMMml2G2KlmJW4fl3cu0304e5FXXnWBVSjSEgkCb7j3JJ6zQb2zuKPjUDB0JwzZvCYstr_JpeB98e2vJKkk8kdu71KzVMzM1AH9EfR1oFWLW250qROSPr8LwrLbRYfp17Y/s320/DSCN7850+(800x604).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>The oldest coffee shop in Santiego de Cuba, where a shot of coffee (for a local) costs 1 peso (25 pesos to a CUC). Note the water and antiseptic to wash your hands. Cholera was a problem after the hurricane in September 2012.</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscqUftIX-hI6liuSLD0TR7uuNjVmMpsZcdby8yvrjygWBZi5HrZjq-h2dcRm376G1UUtIsz1fiwFiAQMIjLQKalLYv7yypTpPoP1IYSsP_G4MxR-TfPJdq0zguEwWLH8csU64k3PGUV4/s1600/IMG_3312+(533x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscqUftIX-hI6liuSLD0TR7uuNjVmMpsZcdby8yvrjygWBZi5HrZjq-h2dcRm376G1UUtIsz1fiwFiAQMIjLQKalLYv7yypTpPoP1IYSsP_G4MxR-TfPJdq0zguEwWLH8csU64k3PGUV4/s320/IMG_3312+(533x800).jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>This salsa dancer (way passed her best by date) was busking when a blind man came walking along - slap bang into her. Couldn't have choreographed it if you tried.</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkePTwMmmVgj-k9l6BtjYkW_MJ86zAPl-I58_M6LSIXC2Rr7H9IGKu2VgIYfQo0DFiCcQlXqkkvTbe0NXby3GH60-VYSaj8Va8sbXyf2B_ks1kHq2ofiQvJ9nQ61Sr8fD20c_Xg8D3DQo/s1600/DSCN8551+(600x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkePTwMmmVgj-k9l6BtjYkW_MJ86zAPl-I58_M6LSIXC2Rr7H9IGKu2VgIYfQo0DFiCcQlXqkkvTbe0NXby3GH60-VYSaj8Va8sbXyf2B_ks1kHq2ofiQvJ9nQ61Sr8fD20c_Xg8D3DQo/s320/DSCN8551+(600x800).jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Maracas for sale. Curios have started to flood the streets. Free trade is slowly developing thanks (or no thanks) to the influx of tourists.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone talks about how friendly the
SdCubans are but there are distinct times when we feel a level of animosity.
The bank was a prime example. Our car is a dead give-away and now that we
understand that having a car is such a status symbol and something that is
handed down through the generations, it is no wonder that we get the stares we
do.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After walking around for 2 hours we made our way to
the harbour and had sangria, beers, and Llyris - “my body is my temple” - a
cola. We gave Luis 20CUC which nearly a bowled him over - equivalent to his
month's wages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASSytatTnVkYdvd9j-QYNbVFl4lluw9Sjilh_4bCcSRZAeWNzhHxldUNGQ8y0ONYVwg2670SY5chPsiyBb_Ldr_g-6-MM2HOnzD0kF7CVZWg26mekBo7mbmFQ1yF2o8ZLVYzvDB_zRa8/s1600/DSCN7842+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASSytatTnVkYdvd9j-QYNbVFl4lluw9Sjilh_4bCcSRZAeWNzhHxldUNGQ8y0ONYVwg2670SY5chPsiyBb_Ldr_g-6-MM2HOnzD0kF7CVZWg26mekBo7mbmFQ1yF2o8ZLVYzvDB_zRa8/s320/DSCN7842+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Classic cars became a familiar sight. Initially we photographed EVERY car we saw. By now we were a little more blase (much to our camera's relief - which packed up by the end of our holiday anyway!)</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm2zUETsDOqlIw-sUiAow_6w1hMdDbLOkONXyjNnVarD25V2Uf4Llzj7cmDCwc_K40gAtOtLQr7crF1FRgtEimeJsYrOcHGLxZWZ1BEFYl3sllvbfmnEvlqIs_xXGmH8QyCBQ-6mEBmo/s1600/CATEDRAL+DE+LE+ASUNCION+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm2zUETsDOqlIw-sUiAow_6w1hMdDbLOkONXyjNnVarD25V2Uf4Llzj7cmDCwc_K40gAtOtLQr7crF1FRgtEimeJsYrOcHGLxZWZ1BEFYl3sllvbfmnEvlqIs_xXGmH8QyCBQ-6mEBmo/s320/CATEDRAL+DE+LE+ASUNCION+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>CATEDRAL DE LE ASUNCION being renovated after the hurricane damage.</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzpvAvxTkmGSqVL_eKZYU6fu7PVnNg8g5Jt5Lkk1AIsw_ADreYSbTNHRppbOMS5N7joWiGzKRAkgDZ0iVIN_TCo-WMrfjLpupWMaDorx2yOMaHmJVtn27nSQckJLs9zGE4YXaJw4rMGs/s1600/STEPS+OF+PADRE+PICO+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzpvAvxTkmGSqVL_eKZYU6fu7PVnNg8g5Jt5Lkk1AIsw_ADreYSbTNHRppbOMS5N7joWiGzKRAkgDZ0iVIN_TCo-WMrfjLpupWMaDorx2yOMaHmJVtn27nSQckJLs9zGE4YXaJw4rMGs/s320/STEPS+OF+PADRE+PICO+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The famous STEPS OF PADRE PICO</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZzvSA24eWy3l68atEQyeKQ5E3eKuNpZztJiuvG0b43pK7CtUuLgYtuv3zD-08ikWrPbcJyzai4n9L-rv-CA7zX7xjWsuXP44ybqoS7ofTrH3uucqG3YhyphenhyphenLe-nucoRwp8kwUrNuS0Qvk/s1600/TIVOLI+-+AN+AUTHENTIC+MIXED+QUARTER+OF+SdC+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZzvSA24eWy3l68atEQyeKQ5E3eKuNpZztJiuvG0b43pK7CtUuLgYtuv3zD-08ikWrPbcJyzai4n9L-rv-CA7zX7xjWsuXP44ybqoS7ofTrH3uucqG3YhyphenhyphenLe-nucoRwp8kwUrNuS0Qvk/s320/TIVOLI+-+AN+AUTHENTIC+MIXED+QUARTER+OF+SdC+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>TIVOLI - AN AUTHENTIC MIXED QUARTER OF SdC </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime the old Gleagle had a puncture which
was a mission to fix. A bad tempered mechanic arrived to help release the tyre
(the device was missing). We had also parked on a slope with little fuel. The
bad tempered mechanic went off to the gas station (without checking if we
needed diesel or petrol), oi vey, what a palaver. Thank goodness for the
helpful neighbour who finally got us through this mechanical episode. 3.30pm
and we were back on the road, too late to go anywhere, so we went to Plaza
Matis for mojitos.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd90uUkj_dXBCNRGcrIWZAq6EL7Sk3VPqFzdOrJP8b906fZrYqEEG0MfsMKHjiTHfHtqTTlB8XwK62bM1MbdrhDjivoZC9FMOngwQvsPhU9fr2TOmNVWwjAgYeJIXpHqA-eajfPd3yxA/s1600/PLAZA+DE+MARTE+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd90uUkj_dXBCNRGcrIWZAq6EL7Sk3VPqFzdOrJP8b906fZrYqEEG0MfsMKHjiTHfHtqTTlB8XwK62bM1MbdrhDjivoZC9FMOngwQvsPhU9fr2TOmNVWwjAgYeJIXpHqA-eajfPd3yxA/s320/PLAZA+DE+MARTE+(800x533).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Late afternoon at the PLAZA MATIS</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our hosts had offered to cook us dinner but, like many
occasions, things get lost in translation, and we arrived home to find 20
professors sitting outside our bedroom. When dinner was served (to them) out of
polystyrene boxes we gathered our invitation was cancelled.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXR42gUhT0mgFX0t7b1hXtIvgLSYG9QquLCGx8GSqH2XKZWjlF2K4dg-E3cVp5SdcsFlaq16b7DYiSIzPFjyeQlBq0Mhgubu447J3E-CFoeFN_1BPJbGCyQfBB9NFE7OMlfgcgezPlW8/s1600/DSCN8510+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXR42gUhT0mgFX0t7b1hXtIvgLSYG9QquLCGx8GSqH2XKZWjlF2K4dg-E3cVp5SdcsFlaq16b7DYiSIzPFjyeQlBq0Mhgubu447J3E-CFoeFN_1BPJbGCyQfBB9NFE7OMlfgcgezPlW8/s320/DSCN8510+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Roof top dining at what became our regular haunt </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(it was also called San Francisco)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We went back to
our regular 'haunt' and had another good meal for less than 30CUC.</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Santiago De Cuba, Cuba20.028891 -75.82898699999998419.909541 -75.990348499999982 20.148241000000002 -75.667625499999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-12166836965982293452013-11-29T04:05:00.001-08:002013-12-10T11:26:24.209-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">6th November, 2013</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oi vey but that was a long way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Santa Clara to Santiego de Cuba</span></b> (or as Rob calls it
Cuba de Santiego, or Santa Cuba depending on how muddled he feels). We seemed
to travel the whole world to get there, Venezuela, Florida, Colorado, Uruguay
and yesterday we saw Australia, reminiscent of our drive from Pongola to Johannesburg
which we did via Amsterdam and Belfast. Everyone seems to borrow names – so who
did come first?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, boy, did yesterday fell like a whirl wind tour. 9
hours with Rob and Llyris sharing the driving. The road was fine, until Llyris
took over when she went crashing into the worst pot holes we have encountered.
The shocks on our Gleagle are just that - shot. Road signs are a little
dubious, with Camaguey (pronounced Camaway) changing its mind on a regular
basis dropping or adding kilometres when it feels like it. <b><span style="color: orange;">How we have ever
found our establishments is a pure a miracle with no maps.</span></b> The trick is to pick
up a runner who either literally runs in front of the car or hops in - with
Llyris growling from the front "who is this man?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">People along the road have not been particularly
friendly, in fact viewing us with disdain. It can be disconcerting. You have to
be careful where you take pics. Our hosts have all been great and cannot do
enough for us, <b><span style="color: orange;">but the average guy on the street glares with almost hatred at
our red number plates (clearly indicating we are foreign).</span></b> The double currency
also lands up costing us a premium as everything costs CUC1 ($1) no matter what
it is. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is quite fun being in a place where buxom is
beautiful and people certainly aren't starving. Their status quo is also a
little confusing with some saying it’s impossible to travel whilst others have
family 'in the States' who they see regularly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our hosts in SdC are very embracing. <b><span style="color: orange;">Carolina is a professor of architecture at the University and her husband, Renaldo, is 'the best chef in town' says Carolina as
she pats his rotund tummy. </span></b>Tonight we shall eat with them. Last night we went
to a casa particular and had mojitos (finally) and I stuck to shrimps, knowing
I can't go wrong. It was an excellent meal for CUC 34 - half the price of Santa
Clara and 1/3 of Havana.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Address: 556 San Francisco Street, Santiago de Cuba. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hosts: Carolina and Rolando.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">San Francisco Street. One of the main roads - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and, gasp, so narrow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the many nerve wracking moments in </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">trucks rushing down a whisker away from our Gleagle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Roof top view by day....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.....and by night!! A stiff G&T before dinner.</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com0Santiago De Cuba, Cuba20.028891 -75.82898699999998419.909541 -75.990348499999982 20.148241000000002 -75.667625499999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-9783578913626679772013-11-29T04:00:00.001-08:002013-12-10T11:26:53.116-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5th November, 2013</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PICTURES OF SANTA CLARA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is unashamedly Che country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His statue stands proud - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and guarded in Revolution Square (there's one in every town!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Horse power in Santa Clara</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Horses and old cars obeying traffic lights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The lights have a count-down system - such a good idea.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our home for the night: Valdez
Perez, 106 Luis Estevez St, Santa Clara. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Our hosts: Teresita and Roberto</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Breakfast! Note the creative use of a shower curtain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunflowers - cheerful sight on a dull day!</span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com1Santa Clara, Cuba22.413651 -79.96566789999997122.1788235 -80.288391399999966 22.648478500000003 -79.642944399999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8209789027747394068.post-66805935387642948812013-10-27T07:26:00.000-07:002013-12-10T11:07:09.229-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">A journey filled with salsa, sunshine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and a bunch of silly people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This merry little band is made up of my cousin<b> Llyris Berry</b>, her friend, <b>Joan Mauchline</b>, and the love of my life, <b>Robert Stock</b>.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This blog is not intended to be a travel guide but a
<b>shared experience</b> with some tips on how we survived the revolution, sipped
mojitos, skidded over pot-holes, enjoyed interesting home-stays, all the while
being embraced by Cuba and its colourful people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2 weeks in Cuba and 2,500 kilometres</b> later I think we
can justifiably say that we have travelled the length and breadth of this fascinating
island. 1,250 kms wide, with an average width of 100km Cuba remains in a time
warp <b>stuck somewhere in the ‘50’s</b>. It is <b>a dichotomy on every level</b> –
physically, economically, emotionally and politically. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We used the following reference books on Cuba:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eyewitness Travel <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Insight Guides <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lonely Planet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Car reservations and hotel bookings were made with <b>Alberto Barrientos from Caribbean
Travel and Trading Group</b>: <a href="mailto:sales@cubanjourneys.com">sales@cubanjourneys.com</a>
and our man on the ground was <b>Sergio Ameneiro</b> <a href="mailto:ameneiros@cubanjourneys.com">ameneiros@cubanjourneys.com</a> – and
they come highly recommended!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The 2 week holiday, including return airfares from
Johannesburg-London-Havana (with Virgin), car rental, fuel, food and accommodation
in Casa Particulars (home-stays) will cost in the region of <b>R30,000 (US$3,000)
per person </b>(with 4 travellers).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Pour yourself a stiff rum, settle down and join us as
we salsa our way around Cuba……</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Our journey
started on Monday 4th November, 2013</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">. We had broken
the long flight to Havana by staying with an old school friend in
Northumberland, in the UK, for a couple of days before joining our travel
companions at Gatwick. Jane kindly took us to the airport in Newcastle at 4am
in the freezing cold, where unbelievably people were already drinking beer and
wine in the departure lounge. Nothing like starting the working week with a
shot in the liver.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we boarded the plane following a dull line of black
clad people, the traditional garb of Londoners, we stood out like a sore thumb
with Rob in his blue and yellow Jules hounds pants (I am sure they are supposed
to be pajamas!) and me in my Sri Lankan dress with leggings that don't really
match. We met up with Llyris and Joan, who added to the colour combo. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The flight was jam packed with package holiday makers.
I sat next to Debra from Chiswick who also has a house in Provence. We were
probably the youngest on the plane.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We arrived in Havana at 5.30pm in the rain. The immigration
queue was a nightmare with a laborious process to examine exactly who you are. Our
luggage took forever to crash onto the noisy carousel. The rather gorgeous
Sergio, our man on the ground, met us and promptly announced there was a
'slight problem with car' as the previous renter has dinged it, so it won't be
ready on time. Gathering by the gesticulations our taxi voucher was also under
debate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That sorted we drove into Havana to the Park View
Hotel, clutching our vouchers, only to be told there was a 'slight problem' and
we were moved to another 4 star hotel, <b>Palacio O'Farrill,</b> a couple of blocks
away. A drink was now necessary. A rum each, a glass of wine and beer cost more
than the meal of pork and shrimp.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whilst we were grateful for air conditioning, it is
piped and freezing. 4 star is also probably a local classification! Towels are
teeny and the hot water, well, not. The building was an ancient fort consisting
of 18, 19 and 20th century structures. We are in the 18th Century, in the bowels
of the old fort, with no windows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the delay of the car we changed our itinerary
preferring to drive a shorter distance on the first day rather than stress out
getting to Camaguey. <b>Quite sure that 'we
have a problem' is about to be our mantra.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Llyris is in charge of finances, Rob driver and
itinerary, I am admin and record keeping and Joan slipped in with an easy
'photographer'. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cuba has an interesting monetary system:</b> locals use pesos and foreigners have a
dedicated currency called the CUC. Exchange rate R10/US$1 = 1 CUC. CUCs are only available in Cuba.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5<sup>th</sup>
November, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the delay in delivering the car, we walked around
<b>Old Havana</b> in the vicinity of our hotel, where the road is completely dug up
making way for underground cables. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD3WQt0bXVr-S04cdy3_pf0e3UMkVk6leFbj54i4s8R5JZTldXSyERSQ0S5FhLSyR-WWpXzSf5FJG8zreug1loW78T9E9oQZ8t0qZrQGflJ7jTojIB_qALkcbmfcIDD7xMNrzCmtKodw/s1600/DSCN8393+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD3WQt0bXVr-S04cdy3_pf0e3UMkVk6leFbj54i4s8R5JZTldXSyERSQ0S5FhLSyR-WWpXzSf5FJG8zreug1loW78T9E9oQZ8t0qZrQGflJ7jTojIB_qALkcbmfcIDD7xMNrzCmtKodw/s320/DSCN8393+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We met <b>Cesar and his pink Cadillac</b> and
promised to find him on our way back. We took pics with <b>'Morgan Freeman'</b> and
his plastic gun and truncheon. We got caught in intermittent showers that were
polite enough to stop as quickly as they started. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0MeeAKYO_ZUJb-_-Hr_qkvH8zNq28YGPkbM9WA28e2BUjHA47L0JghtcHrr35DC_GS2GFE1mpDaV18tAJ3cDzmqSwnu2dJB3qRXP9fiLCHpnbUJXu_lMToRmWC1uKVyOdws0EKP6LE8/s1600/DSCN8411+(800x581).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0MeeAKYO_ZUJb-_-Hr_qkvH8zNq28YGPkbM9WA28e2BUjHA47L0JghtcHrr35DC_GS2GFE1mpDaV18tAJ3cDzmqSwnu2dJB3qRXP9fiLCHpnbUJXu_lMToRmWC1uKVyOdws0EKP6LE8/s320/DSCN8411+(800x581).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQTO697yD1tz59eJ6kY_UljeNImqXln71dX_OkpUK_qF6lEJzPo2IR9TDlVPEvx2e6I5Y4A4lGj0EtTKD8nZa8LzILqP-ZArpgS2ANezlHPsJuGeDB81KkRcai8Dd8ioxeAQUu5yKFqE/s1600/DSCN8423+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQTO697yD1tz59eJ6kY_UljeNImqXln71dX_OkpUK_qF6lEJzPo2IR9TDlVPEvx2e6I5Y4A4lGj0EtTKD8nZa8LzILqP-ZArpgS2ANezlHPsJuGeDB81KkRcai8Dd8ioxeAQUu5yKFqE/s320/DSCN8423+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also challenged the hotel for what we still believe
to be a massively incorrect booze bill. We gave up as our Financial Director
(Llyris) had chucked the bill.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sergio came with the car and the contract, and separating
from more CUC's for insurance and a full tank of fuel, we took possession of
our Gleagle (we have never heard of these cars before either!) - we headed off
towards Santa Clara - or so we thought. After going at least 10kms in the wrong
direction we went back to where we started this time going eastwards. Now, 2
hours behind schedule we hit the right road - in the pouring rain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we finally found the A1 it was a surprisingly
good 3 lane highway. Cuba is run by horse power - literally. Horses and buggies
are everywhere - even coming at you in the wrong direction.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L219xY4WD_cL5a6wAkxt1EfZroGss0v-pR3UmGXsCQdaiJ-pl4xkVef0vcFJi0On6UBdnZxnPt6-T_D4Lhv1t810mW_NRMYJJE3hUZMPD00JxMGbKFYi3KdLaU9pFt15ZZxTSvv3560/s1600/DSCN8408+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L219xY4WD_cL5a6wAkxt1EfZroGss0v-pR3UmGXsCQdaiJ-pl4xkVef0vcFJi0On6UBdnZxnPt6-T_D4Lhv1t810mW_NRMYJJE3hUZMPD00JxMGbKFYi3KdLaU9pFt15ZZxTSvv3560/s320/DSCN8408+(800x600).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We reached <b>Santa
Clara </b>at about 4.30pm - after getting horribly lost, or so we thought, only to
discover that we were actually a couple of blocks away from our home stay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Llyris and Joan are about a block away in another
house. Each one competing for decor parallel to that of Kassies Baai! <b>Sort of
retro kitsch.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We walked to Revolution Square. <b>This is distinctly Che
country</b> and he is revered everywhere. We had a good tot of rum in a bar on the
way home, and a super meal at a restaurant called Renaldos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our hosts are very pleasant, as are Llyris's - an ex teacher
who says he earned $22 a month. He no longer teaches.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our homestay address:
Valdez Perez, 106 Luis Estevez St, Santa Clara. Hosts: Teresita and
Roberto.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05145781379322719879noreply@blogger.com4Havana, Cuba23.1168 -82.38855699999999222.649255 -83.034004 23.584345000000003 -81.743109999999987