Saturday November 8, 2014
We had a good breakfast this morning, although Iliana thought it was a bit strange when we asked for avocado for breakfast. Our bill for this casa was 28 CUC that included the casa, dinner and breakfast. I gave her 30 CUC and she was very happy with the extra money.
We left at 8:45 a little later than normal, because the distance was going to be relatively short.
We cycled through Jaruco and a fella on a motor bike shouted to us about being Canadian. I waved and carried on cycling. I checked my mirror and Ralf was nowhere to be seen. I stopped, figuring that he was taking photos. He eventually caught up with me and said the guy on the motorbike was from Innisfil. Innisfil is the municipality south of Barrie. He joined us and we chatted about Innisfil and Cuba. He spends 5 months in Cuba and then goes back to Canada. He is Cuban and has lived in Canada for about 25 years. He said he and his wife had worked as a gravel truck drivers for about 7 years, they were owner operators, but worked all the time. Now it is time to enjoy life.
“Life in Cuba is easy, yes Cubans cry life is too hard”. He said “I pay 2CUC per month for electricity. That is my only bill. I have to buy food, but it is so cheap. I grow some vegetables and then we barter with our neighbours for other foods”.
The route today turned out to be a little longer than expected due to the fact that the Campismo was full, the other campismos along the beach area were only for Cubans. We asked at a hotel how much it would be for the night – 70CUC, that wasn’t in the budget. The fella at the entrance told us about a casa up the road. We passed a registered casa, and arrived at Mario’s place. He was going to charge us the going rate of 25CUC and when I looked at the room I wasn’t too impressed. However, we were both hot and tired and Ralf’s back was hurting him from a bad night’s sleep. After Ralf saw the room and we then checked out the bed – it was so lumpy we knew he couldn’t sleep in the bed. We changed our mind and decided to go back down the hill to see the registered casa. It is a nice clean casa and she is charging 25 CUC. Dinner will be 6CUC each and breakfast 4CUC, a bargain.
Tomorrow we are going to Matanzas, a short ride, and it is time for a rest day.
The people we have met this week has made it a very interesting week.
Glad your enjoying Cuba. Sounds as though you are meeting many interesting people. I’m surprised at the number that speak English and travel outside Cuba. As you mentioned the gravel haulers who own a business in Canada but return to Cuba each year. I thought Cuba was more cut off to the world than that. Guess if you have a few more bucks you can bring back to Cuba, then you are in another category. Interesting thoughts by the locals about Cuba, not exactly what we are told by the American media, “surprise, suprise.” Keep enjoying and please be safe.
Cuba is changing, and the people are really interesting. My spanish is getting better and it is surprising how many speak English. Most of those we have spoken to are University educated and those that have travelled outside of Cuba have travelled to like-minded socialist countries! Cuba is a really safe country to travel in.