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Published: December 16th 2006
Will and Che meet!
Will picking Che's nose in Revolution Square. Earlier that morning 1000's of people had marched through the square with tanks and planes and helicopters for Fidel's 80th birthday! Hi again!!
Well after huge celebrations and the craziness of street parades and fireworks for Fidels 80th birthday, we left Cuba and headed back to Mexico laidened with Cigars, Rum, Cuban Art and various other bits and pieces. We had so much fun in Cuba and saw so many sites. The people were so inviting and approachable, we managed to catch the Buena Vista Social Club performing at the famous old Nacional Hotel with a whole group of other travellers that we met along the way. We all then went to a secret locals Salsa club which was incredible. The Salsa is as common to them as walking. The Salsa really does sum up the Cubans attitude towards life and each other. I must say some of the women's 'all in one fluro stretch outfits' could have been left at home!!!
So we organised to come and do some work exchange on an eco-retreat in Mexico. We were not sure how it would be so we just got on the bus and hoped for the best. We arrived into the small town of Ek Balam in a taxi and Will and I looked at each other and wondered just exactly what
had we signed up for. Everyone here lives in traditional wooden stick 1 or 2 room huts with chickens, turkeys, cats and dogs running around everywhere and then pigs in little stick pens. We pulled around a corner to a big creatively painted wall. We knocked and the Canadian owner, Lee answered and invited us in. WOW. We truely were in a little oasis. There are 8 cabanas throughout the property, all with thatched roofs and everyone is different. It is all open air and tropical. Lee showed us to our cabana and told us the story about how she had built all of this herself over the last 4 years. We have been having a great time here. Will has been building a new building with some local Mayans who are showing him all the traditional building techniques. Ive been designing an inhouse information brochure for all the rooms. The website for the retreat is :www.genesisretreat.com .
After 2 days here Lee asked us if we would like to manage the place for a while as she wants to start building another retreat else where. We declined for now but the offer is there for later on if we
Mel Horse Riding
Mel horse riding in Cuba. Beautiful countryside. like!!! We spent a few nights running the kitchen which was a challenge and fun at the same time. We went to visit the Mayan Ruins of Ek Balam, just a short bike ride from here and it was amazing!!! Lee has gone away and left us in charge for 2 days which is quite surreal but good experience! We shall talk to you all soon. I will leave a Christmas message soon!
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Steph
non-member comment
Your alive!
Hey some great photo's guys, I thought you were in a Cuba jail somewhere! hey did you happen to get my msg I left on your phone?? can you get your msg's over there?? Live it up! Hey I am buying a new car today!! Holden Astra :) it's Beautiful! Steph