Park View Havana

... tag).<br><br>I didn´t feel threatened when I walked through the city in the middle of the<br>night even though the street lights are bad. The worst things are the<br>condition of the sidewalk and the mysterious pools of liquid on the<br>streets. <br><br>Last day I know dad would have taken one of the old american car taxis to El Floridita and slurge some money on daiquiri before he left Cuba. I bought books and a cheap drinks at the airport for my last pesos instead. <br><br>Ted

... would not disappoint. <br>I had arranged a transfer from the airport, and was met, as expected, by a representative of Cuba Tours, who surprisingly, spoke much better English than I do Spanish. Granted, on that day, there was a two-year old layer of rust on my Spanish, which I was eager to dust off. Nonetheless, my "contact" led me to the money changing counter at José Marti International Airport, then, just as quickly, loaded me into a cab, said good-bye, and disappeared to go ...

... the street to show that it was not cold at all. ahh...the rum helps to take away the inhibitions. They were much too pretty and young for me but humour is what makes life so much more fun. I wasn't wearing my Canadian Baseball cap so it cannot be held against us LOL. This is not something I would do in New York City. Es Cuba!! Feb 22 I spent my last day wondering around Habana towards La Vieja and discovered the major shopping streets. I almost bought a guitar ...

... out-of-date" city upon first arrival. Especially when the female airport staff all wear very short skirts (if they've got the figure or not) with fancy patterned stockings, long manicured multi-coloured nails and carefully groomed hairstyles. By the way, your passport is not stamped when you enter or exit Cuba; a loose paper in your passport is stamped and recorded. As you enter the city however, it becomes clear that not much has changed since the fifties regarding ...

... face, Jo´s dad, Paul. We were staying in old Havana so naturally we spent most of our time discovering its delights. Unquestionably, the Cuban capital is one of the most peculiar and fascinating cities on earth, a city of great paradox and great presence. Much of our time was spent wondering the streets soaking up the vibrant atmosphere (there is music and dancing everywhere you go) and the diverse character of the city, which consists of a great mix of crumbling old buildings that ...

... time) and then bummed around until we could go to our gate. Then yes, our plane did not want to go, and we could not get the next flight so we waited with a few Mexican businessmen who were furious which we didn't realise why but then it occurred that it was a Thursday and it was really only us who didn't have to be anywhere and didn't know the day of the week. Love holidays. Luckily our other flight was so far ahead that we didn't miss it - but only JUST. Bloody airport, running here ...

... and one is to be a paying customer at the establishment, like a bar or restaurant, but you still usually tip the attendant after you use the bathroom. The other is to tip the attendant directly before you use it, knowing that you entered the building only to use the bathroom. Having an attendant doesn't always equal a clean and orderly restroom, and the few that I experienced without were downright frightening. I'm now finished showering and ...

... paid our 25 cuc departure tax, endured an unfriendly and overbearing emigration procedure, where our official never spoke a word but just glowered, a cursory security check and then to the departure area which was spacious, comfortable and modern. Obviously the priority is to put more importance on getting rid of people. We blew our last 9 cucs on a ham and cheese sandwich, a small tin of Pringles and a coffee before boarding the plane for Panama City. Reflection - Cuba, mmm, yes ...

... from what I understand, there is a gap between the population who can get convertibles (working with tourists for example) and those who rely only on local pesos. The local pesos are 24 to a convertible, and are used in cheap (Cuban) restaurants, bars, shops, services. I need to get a few of these, as otherwise they always try to rip me off in the conversion or even price display. Not that I let them succeed, but it is always time consuming to ...

Now refreshed and cooled a bit, we walk again in the streets of Vedado in direction of the revolution square to see the place where all the big popular meetings occurred when Fidel Castro talked to the population, military parades and so on... the place is huge, without any available shadow to hide from the sun, except a dozen of coco trees on the border of ...