Arriving in Cuba; La Habana

I was so excited flying over Cuba and looking at its wonderful landscape. All those little islands (Cayos) surrounding it, with white sad and turquoise waters. Even though I have been told plenty about this Island I truly did not know what to expect!

I was a little worried flying into Havana as I still had not been given a confirmation for a Casa Particular (Private home where you rent a room. Most common type of accommodation in Cuba). I had heard somewhere that I could check my e-mail when I got to the airport, but unfortunately that was not the case, so I had to venture into Havana with no idea where to stay, or in which area.

I got offered a lift into town with a lovely finish couple making the cab a little cheaper (no public transport from the airport here), I asked to be dropped of at the internet place in Old Havana (Havana Vieja), too check my e-mail and my possible reservation. Looking out of the window I saw the old American cars drive by, some in good condition, some falling apart. I saw men, women and children queuing everywhere, and all women were dressed in tight skimpy clothing, including the children of a certain age. I felt like I had stepped back in time by 50 years or so. Not that I lived 50 years ago, but it was almost like watching a movie from those times. All the building was grey, streets narrow, and a fabulous but complete chaos of cars, horses, bicycles and people everywhere.

When I opened up the e-mail there was nothing! For a split second I panicked, but as usual faith takes its course, and so I asked some young men in the internet if they lived close by, and if they knew of any vacancies where they were staying. They seemed happy to help, so they walked me to the house, and introduced me to the owner. He did not have anything free that night, but he did take me to another house that was even closer to the main strip Opispo, and cheaper. I stayed in a tiny little room at Aleida and Alexis in Compostela 310B, and it was good.

After getting settled in and showering I headed for town to look around this city I had heard so much about and everyone seems to have an opinion on. Havana Vieja (old Havana) was full of gorgeous colonial houses both restored, and falling apart but both with their own charm. The main street was a hustle and bustle of tourists and locals, Jienteros ( A man who latches on to a foreigner for economic gain) trying to hustle you, paintings being sold out of doorways, music blaring out of every possible hole, and the smell of cigars filling my noise.

I walked up Obispo and saw the grand site of the Capitolio, the Parque central, and some of the old hotels situated here like Hotel Inglaterra (Hotel England). It was so wonderful to finally be in this country I had dreamt to visit for so long. I saw the old American cars parked next to the bicycle taxis and horse and carriage. Right next to some propaganda about the revolution, they were showing an American movie at the cinema. It is old fashioned in so many ways but modern in others. A city full of contradictions! It was all breathtaking!

I headed to the bar/restaurant closest to me for a drink, hoping that maybe I would get to know someone. I placed myself at the bar with a Mojito firmly in my hand as I read my guide book jotting down what I wanted to see, and where I wanted to go. Little by little the place started filling up, and before I knew it I was chatting away to one person after the other, but unfortunately all older, and leaving soon. A girl finally came to sit at the bar and as she was solo too. I struck up a conversation with her, and we exchanged some travel tips, but as her English was a little poor it was hard to have a flowing conversation with her. I lit up when 3 men/guys walked in and placing themselves at the bar just next to us. They looked a little worried and apprehensive when I waved and said hello, and asked if they were fellow backpackers. They probably thought I was another pesky Jiantera (woman who latches on to a foreigner for economic gain)! Within the first 5 minutes they had told me they had rented a car and were planning on travelling the country for 2 ½ weeks, and just as quickly I asked if they needed a 4th person to split cost with and to speak Spanish for them…. They all put their heads together to discuss and decide, and I was so nervous those few moments I had to wait before they said YES!

The rest of the evening was spent sampling the local drinks and getting to know one another. The boys are German aging from 23-26, and they are called Steffen, Sebastian, and Tobias. Only Tobias spoke a lot of English, so it was us speaking for the most part, but after some more drinks Sebastian’s’ English improved immensely. Tobias was the very outgoing one, always smiling and chatting. Sebastian was a little reserved but only without alcohol. And Steffen was the quietest one, and the most serious one, but the clumsy one of the group.

They even walked me home that night, and we arranged to meet the next day to go sightseeing together to see how we got on before starting out travel together. I was so happy that night when I laid in bed, happy that I had met such seemingly nice guys, and happy that I have an outgoing personality, and can be rather forward at times, as without that I probably would have spent most of my time alone. Another happy start to a great adventure in a new country 



Lessons learnt:

1. Shyness doe not pay of
2. Asking never hurts, the worst answer you can get is NO
3. Believe
4. Faith never lets me down

---

---