Cuba and getting out troubles

Cuba is Cuba. Cuba is communism and revolution. There is a Cuba for tourists and one for the locals. I liked one city (Trinidad) and hope to never return to that socialistic country.

I have so much to tell, hardly know where to begin. From Santa Clara we took a bus to Trinidad. Trinidad was awesome. It's a tiny colonial city with 10 cobblestoned streets stuffed with old buildings, live music and dancing people everywhere. Little did I know, that afterwards this would become my favorite city (by far). 2 days of darkening at the beach and 4 days of sightseeing, taking photos of the picturesque city. At night live performances of salsa with classical Cuban music. I loved it.

I don't want to talk to long about this country, because you've heard the best part. From trinidad, via Cienfuegos to Viñales. Viñales is second best, for it's nature is stunning and the people of the casa particales where extrodinarely nice to us. Offering food and drinks for free. Not something most Cubans do. Most don't see a tourist, most don't see a white skin. Most see a walking money tree. After 7 countries in South America and very very poor Guatemala, never ever have I been harresed and begged and husstled so many times in my life. It's just unbelievable. It's also different in a way that people just start talking to you in a nice voice for 10 straight minutes and then suddenly bring up the subject to cigars (You want buy cigars?), rum or woman (cheap woman, good woman, big booby for you!). Within 5 days I didn't even trust anybody anymore and turned into a bloody all-ignoring western tourist, quickening my pace whenever some ven asked for directions. Believe me they DO try everything.

Viñales to Havana. Havana is big and expensive. We got in on Monday. Normally I like big cities, but it is SO hard to get around that you are basicely locked in at walking distance of the place of your hotel or casa. Going 5 km in a cab would quickly add up to 5 bucks, so little did I take those. Havana is fine for 3 nights, but after the forth I was so bored that we played cards all day with the Japanese guy in the other room and stay even more inside to read my book.

And then came today. Leaving day. It felt like judgement day! We packed the bags, put them on, stopped a taxi and screamed 'Airport'. The first problem of the day was that Ralph was sick. Not very sick, but common stomach problems and he jsut kept running to the toilet every 30 min. The second problems was that it didn't get over and he's in bed right now sleeping and probably still running to the toilet every 30 min. So I want you to imagine that with every sentence I write, you see a running Ralph, searching in pain for a toilet.

'Canceled' read the big red letters on the information sign. Our flight was indeed very canceled. A big hurricane was going into Cancun (our destination) we saw on the big flat tv that was displaying the weather images of Mexico. There is no was we were going to Mexico in this weather. At least not with Cubana. We were only told to 'wait' and 'nothing I can do for you'. We join the group of 'cancun' people and there turned out to be only 5 of us. 2 Irish, a French guy and Ralph and I. The hurricane on the tv screen was getting bigger and bigger, our hope getting smaller and smaller.

We had to stay in Havana (NOOOOOOO) just another 2 or 3 days. I already saw this verdict coming to us in TGV speed. Mexicana was indeedflying to Cancun, only 4 hours later. The airplane was full and you are never sure anyway with a growing hurricane. The eye was right above Cancun now!

But suddenly a briljant idea struck both of us. What if we get the heck of here and fly to Mexico City. First of all we are sure of a flight, the weather is nice and hot in Mexico City. Second of all there are no people asked for a ticket to Mexico City, because everybody has hostels/hotels booked or luggage waiting in Cancun, but we didn't have any of that! I walked up the the Mexicana office and within 5 minutes it was all settled, we were going to fly to Mexico City at 6 o'clock. 5 hours later than planned both out of Cuba!

And here I am (and ralph asleep or on the toilet) sitting in an internet cafe in Mexico City at 11:30 pm, because I just needed to check my e-mail and write on my blog. Travelling without plans still wins over anything, who needs reservations and booked tours. Life free and day happy because it always, yes ALWAYS turns out okey after al. The wise lesson of this post ;-).

Thanks for the comments, keep 'em comming and I'll put pictures up fast.

Olaf out (and too bed).

Hmm...I understand why you can be at the other end of the world, be totally free and still miss Leiden...;-) Mexico probably will be a lot better! Enjoy!

Hey Olaf,
Je bent ook een echt reiziger, waarom ga je niet de handel in ofzo?? :p Wanneer kom je nou terug?
Het kan zijn dat ik er dan niet meer ben.
Het bedrijf is aardig aan het slinken, maar mag er niet veel meer over zeggen.
Groetjes en geniet van je trip zoveel als je kunt!!

Goed om te lezen dat je niet in dat noodweer zat... !! Pas goed op jezelf en kom maar snel terug met nog meer mooie verhalen en foto's :) xxx

Hallo Olaf,
Wij zijn blij dat jullie goed in Mexico zijn aangekomen. Jammer dat Ralph ziek is geworden. Wel blij dat hij naar een dokter is gegaan. Wij hopen snel wat foto's te zien.
Groetjes en wij wachten op weer een nieuw verhaal

Thanks voor alle leuke reacties. Ik vind het leuk om ze te mogen ontvangen en tevens lezen.

Brett, kun je me ff mailen met de ontwikkelingen, ik ben heel nieuwsgierig. Wel naar mijn gmail, mijn mwe adres controleer ik niet.

Btw, I checked for the blacklist. Cubana is not to find on any blacklist, nor that bad as I've heard previousely from the other tourists.

Wat een belevenissen , wij hebben ze van een ander kaliber groeten van Max! zijn momenteel in Holambra , 200 km ten westen van Sao Paulo en trekken nog 1000 km zuidwaarts lekker warm 32 graden We hopen dat Ralph snel opknapt .

........ and finally the weather forecast for Copenhagen and surroundings: Cloudy with some rain. Maximum day temperatures around 7 degrees Celsius, minimum night temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius. Up to fresh wind.....
So now Ralph is having difficulties with his stomach as well as breathing problems!
And "bom dia" to those in Holambra. Enjoy!!!!

Olaf,

Tof dat je ons weer netjes op de hoogte houdt! Je hebt alleen je site in de tijd dat je nog hier was nu niet echt wereldreis 2.0 proof gemaakt. Ben benieuwd naar de eerste foto's en wat 'de plannen' zijn ;)

Henk, 1000 km zuidwaarts? Dat klinkt als Foz de Iguazu.. Zeker doen!

Daar zijn ze al geweest Guido.... ! Wel opletten als ik je inlicht. Overigens zitten ze nu in Holambra 2 of 3.

Olaf we zitten idd te wachten op foto's!
Hoe gaat het nu met Ralph en hoe bevalt het hem? Nouja veel plezier

Guido , Foz ligt 1000 km westwaaarst , foei .
Olaf , hoe warm is het bij jou , hier nu in Holambra 2 ook erg warm 35 gr. Ik verlang naar koeler weer , maar we gaan gelukkig nog stukker zuidelijker .
Hoe is het nu met Ralph ?
Wij wachten ook op foto:s

Verrek, heb je inderdaad gelijk in. Maar hoezo Holambra 2?