Day 23 Havana

The sun was shining after last night’s mini rain episode. I woke earlier than Heather and got things ready and woke her at 8 am for shower and breakfast. Took down my own wheatbix this time after yesterday’s lack of significant food.  Different staff “on” – well their bodies were present, but the service was not and we had to wait for some time to get a cuppa. Tea was horribly strong so
I asked for hot water and eventually that came, so then I had two cups of tea out of one. We had a leisurely breakfast before beginning our stroll through the streets. 

It was surprisingly quieter than we expected, still plenty of tourists and locals, but not as bad as weekdays. It was hot- what a surprise!

We stopped for ice-cream- nice flavours, but melting faster than you could eat. The containers and spoons were washed out after each customer and reused.  Not sure how much they cost, but he nearly passed out when I handed over my last 20 cuk note. Turned out it was less than 1 cuk for the two. So I didn’t get to break that note. 

Eat it fast or watch it melt.

Strolled along looking at different shops and souvenir shops, until we hit pay-dirt with a mini craft market- selling lots of things you could not bring back to Australia. Finally found some lovely ear rings as my souvenir of Cuba. 

Cuba is definitely not a place to buy souvenirs- prices are relatively high and workmanship is basic with the exception of the beautiful embroidery and woodcarving. Every now andthen you find a treasure, but not often.

We hit another bonanza up the road when we found the local Etesca (internet cards) shop and our suspicions were confirmed. One hour cost only 2 cuks. We had been told to buy them up the road at a cost of 4.50 per hour!!!!!!! Someone is ripping off the system and more staff are ripping off the hotel’s customers by sending them up there. Fairly sure kickbacks are involved. Once again required our passports and had to wait to be allowed inside? Two at a time into a very large office space. Not sure what the plan is about keeping people waiting in the hot sun for their turn to get inside? It happens at banks, Etesca offices and many shops.

We walked into a "fast food area". Not at all like anything you ave ever seen. Minimal advertising , very basic foods for sale.

The food "mall". How many eggs did you want?

We kept walking till we met the T intersection, over the road and into the small park to sit and watch people but mostly to watch the glorious old cars. Eventually we wandered back along streets till we found a small café. The owner promised a lovely cool courtyard- what he neglected to say that the smell out there was just awful. Either sewer, garbage left in the bins in the sun or the two peacocks. Gulped down our lemonade and waited for the chicken salad. It was ok, the smell was not, so we didn’t stay long.

Cruised back through the streets to base camp and coolness. Heather had a rest and I typed and downloaded photos. Spent some frustrating

"Chemist"

 time trying to connect to the internet.

Some of the huge number of old cars