Sunday November 23, 2014

Two and a half days to discover Camaguey. Not quite, as we had the business of cleaning bikes, washing, banking and updating the blog to do as well. Camaguey is the capital city of Camaguey province. The city was founded in 1514 by the Spaniards. The city has a labyrinth of streets that were designed to discourage pirates. The streets, alleys and abundant plazas make Camaguey’s urban layout unique in the country.

There is one straight street in Camaguey, the rest go off on tangents in a spiders web of streets and alleyways. Most of them end up in a park or plaza, where there is either a church or bar or both.

Some of the buildings have incredibly stunning architecture and others as in other Cuban cities are run down. A lot of money is being spent in Camaguey on the streets, the hotels and the buildings.

We spent a good part of yesterday and today wandering the streets and alleyways. We went into one colonial house to see the frescos on the walls. There was one room set aside to show the diversity of religions in Camaguey. There is a small Jewish area, past the train station, which was too far for us to walk.

We peer into houses and doorways as we wander around – No transmissions in the bathroom please, but how about your car in the front living room.

One of the claims to fame are the tinajons, they are large earthenware pots used to hold water. It is said if you drink water from one of these pots you will always return to Camaguey. Needless to say we didn’t partake of the water.

It is hot work wandering around a city, we could have taken a bicycle taxi, but enjoy going own alleyways, where we find things like this.

Colourful bike taxis in Camaguey.

We got back to the casa after a wonderful coffee and cake and had a siesta. Tonight was an early night as tomorrow may be another tough day on the carrerrata. We ate in the same restaurant as last night, the service in some restaurants leave a lot to be desired but the food was good at this one. It would be nice for us to have eaten at the same time though. On both nights Ralf got his food first and was almost finished eating before I got mine. Usually he would wait until I got mine but the waitress said mine would be another five minutes.