Blogs from Santiago de Cuba, Este, Cuba, Central America Caribbean - page 3

Je sobota, den před hurikánem. Tonda odvází do nemocnice starého pána, který bydlí v našem domě - asi tatínek naší hostitelky. Couráme po městě, všude jsou mraky lidí. Všude se stojí fronty na cokoli od zmrzliny az po "tuzexové zbozí". Kupujeme zeleznou zásobu na hurikán. Prodavačka nás napřed odmítla vpustit do obchodu a nechala nás venku čekat asi pět minut, nakonec nás ale pustila. Zvláštní mravy. Kazdopádně jsme se rozhodli, ze hurikán lze přezít s 5 litry vody, několika rumy a dvaceti malejma plechovkovejma pivama na osobu. Odhad byl viceméně správnej. Vyrázíme radši na pláz za město. Od Bédova kámoše Prasemíry máme typ na místo jménem Playa Verde (zelená pláz). Mezitím se zatahuje. Na plázi není téměř ani noha. Na místní plázi se vyřádila nedaleká betonárka, která tu udělala betonový slunečníky a kdyz uz v tom ... read more

Just as Nicolas had told us, his mate Paco was amongst the mob of touts as our bus rolled in at 0630. His father had a Peugeot waiting for us and we headed off to our casa, located 8 blocks south of Casco Historico - the old town. We signed in and had a couple of hours sleep to recover from the overnighter and had walked up to the focal point of Casco Historico - Parque Cespedes - by 1000. The main square is dominated by Cathedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asunction almost as much as it is dominated by touts for taxis and cigars. We headed away from the hustle (and hustlers) towards Plaza Dolores - or so we thought - finally finding refuge in a small cafe. As is customary in Cuban restaurants ... read more

pictures coming!... read more

So, on the eve of the 25th, when u folks in the UK were already asleep with bellies full of turkey and mince pies, we (Patricia, Corinna and I) set off on our adventure eastwards. We arrived in Camagüey rather disorientated after the 7 hr bus journey and went to the casa particular we had reserved. As soon as we got there we got our introduction to the way some “business” people try to squeeze every possible cent out of the tourists here. Unfortunately this became a theme for the early part of the trip.. we may be experienced at daily life in La Habana but not at travelling thru Cuba. This particular woman was panicked about letting the 3 of us stay in room (technically illegal here) and started telling us at 2am that she ... read more

I woke up at 5.30am and had asked for breakfast at 6.00am. I think Julia and Pena got drunk on the champagne last night because they were pretty rowdy and they didn't get up until 6.30am, the time my taxi was booked for. Julia wrapped up a tomales for me to snack on. I'd never been up at 6.30am in Santiago, it was definitely the best time of the day with the temperature just right. I literally spent all day in airports - from 6.45am to 8.00pm - Santiago de Cuba to Havana to Cancun to Mexico City. I was so happy to arrive in Mexico City. I'm familiar with the airport, I know where to get taxis, I trust the people, I can go about my business without being harrassed. As I was searching for ... read more