This wasn't a very long journey, and we stopped at a lovely rural restaurant en route. It as quute a hot day so the group opted to leave the walk until later in the afternoon. That was ok but it meant the museums were closed by the time we had done that. I went out and found the bank and had a walk around the newer part near to our house. I also called at the tourist office and discovered one of the optional tours offered was not available as it was too distant. Will have to feed that back. This time I am in the house with the Australian woman, Mary. There doesn't seem to be anyone living here which is strange and the lady in charge is the daughter in law of the owner who lives along the road. At least there is a drinks fridge on the ground floor where you can buy water and juices. My room is quite small and there's not much space around the two beds. This time the decor is green. The bathroom is the same. It overlooks the street but it wasn't too noisy last night. It's just a little side street with houses and a pizza place on the corner. Later I saw a group of young people sitting on the corner of the street. I was asked for shampoo so I returned to get one of my bags of goodies. She seemed very pleased.
The house also has a roof terrace and you can see the sea in the distance, it's a bit far to walk, but the coach will take us tomorrow.
We met at 4pm and walked to the historical centre. I'm a bit shocked at the amount of handholding some people need. They seem unable to read a map and terrified of getting lost. Later in the evening Alison and I both got a bit confused and walked around the block sorting out road names and being helped by a local. We eventually thought we were ok and parted company at the pizza place on the corner only to find it was the wrong one. So I had to head further down the street with the little card in my hand checking the addresses. I had confused the house number with the previous night's accommodation.
Our historical walk took us to the old centre where we saw the Spanish houses, the museums and galleries and the churches. There are a lot of restaurants and music venues. Apparently Trinidad was vacated when Cienfuegos was developed, and later preserved under UNESCO protection as a historical monument.
Alison and I wandered through the market where I picked up some embroidery and later, after an internet visit to the square, I visited the bookshop and picked up some poetry and history books then found a bar where I had tea and a biscuit and Alison had a cocktail before returning back home. I finished the day with a fruit juice and Pringles on the terrace and an early night.
Contrary to my expectations there was no noise last night, until this morning when the calls of various delivery people could be heard through the shutters, and the trotting of the horses and carts. I discovered my shower head had no fixing, so it was an army style shower but at least the water was hot. Our host provided a lovely breakfast on the terrace and chatted away. It would have been pretty hopeless without Spanish. I left at about 9am and visited the square, then the museum, which provided some history and displayed scenes of a period house. Next I went to the archaeological museum where I got further background information. It amazes me that we all went through similar early development, but that the process of being conquered completely alters and depresses what comes later. In this museum, I spent a while talking to a local embroiderer. They do a style of whitework and drawn threadwork here. I shared my work and the lady was most interested. I had a coffee stop although the cappuccino on the outside menu was not available, perhaps to tempt you inside!
Opposite was a lovely little shop, so I tried on a couple of crocheted items and bought both. This precipitated another trip to the bank. When I arrived there was a huge queue by the door. So I asked if the ATMs were working and was told, yes. However the first one cancelled my transaction and the sign by the machine indicated there might be a technical fault with the banking system. I was just going through alternative options in my mind when someone used the neighbouring machine successfully. So I followed suit and eureka, I now have cash.
Then I retraced my steps to the historic centre and on to explore the less touristy areas in the barrios, which was very interesting with great views. Here I gave away all my excess goods from my rucksack, making for some happy faces amongst the mothers and children. So many things are not available here, money is in short supply and choice is just not available. I wound my way back to the centre, although many streets were not on the map. I have found an ice cream parlour for lunch and have had a great cappuccino, yoghurt and biscuit and fruit juice for under £3. I am now experiencing the Cuban lack of respect for your personal space. There has clearly been a delivery and as my chair is in the middle of the shortest route from the delivery to the store cupboard, the delivery is past my chair, very closely! And the lady who mopped the floor has just emptied the bucket immediately behind my chair too. I would not complain, but if I did, I think they would fail to understand my perspective. All very amusing if you take the flexible view.
I now have a couple of hours before we go to the beach. By that time, I can accept being with the group again, I think! Then we have a final meal. I had thought about a ride in the carriages but the tour company is against animal exploitation and I don't think the horses look in good condition.
Managed to fit in a back massage for 9 CUC, about £7 which was finished off with some kind of vibrator whivh made my feet tickle. ! Then we all went to Ancon beach. Alison and I found a sunbed under an umbrella and I went in search of an ice cream. The beach bar had none but sent me towards the hotel. This turned out to be Butlins, Cuba or something called Club Amigo. It was apparent that it had all kinds of activities, several restaurants and was full of sun seekers of all ages. The building looked to be from the Russian era, concrete, utilitarian but now painted yellow and blue. However I got good ice cream, and used their facilities and returned to the beach for a swim and some relaxation.
In the evening we had a group meal at a seafood restaurant but with a new guide as ours had to return home for family reasons. He was great fun and had everyone in stitches on the way back as he taught us how to do Cuban dances on the coach, highly illegal I am sure.
This morning we had another lovely breakfast and our host gave us a little gift and there were lots of farewell hugs. The people here are very friendly. While we were awaiting the bus I asked a couple of chaps about the bird they had hung up on the post in a cage. The others wanted to know and so I asked. It was just taking in the sun.
I walked along to the street market and chatted to some chaps painting and selling. They were all quite cheeky and I had various offers of having my house painted or a Chico to take me to the beach! He asked me to take a photo. I said I'm off to Havana and UK tomorrow. Am not sure what would have happened if I had stayed a further night!
The house also has a roof terrace and you can see the sea in the distance, it's a bit far to walk, but the coach will take us tomorrow.
We met at 4pm and walked to the historical centre. I'm a bit shocked at the amount of handholding some people need. They seem unable to read a map and terrified of getting lost. Later in the evening Alison and I both got a bit confused and walked around the block sorting out road names and being helped by a local. We eventually thought we were ok and parted company at the pizza place on the corner only to find it was the wrong one. So I had to head further down the street with the little card in my hand checking the addresses. I had confused the house number with the previous night's accommodation.
Our historical walk took us to the old centre where we saw the Spanish houses, the museums and galleries and the churches. There are a lot of restaurants and music venues. Apparently Trinidad was vacated when Cienfuegos was developed, and later preserved under UNESCO protection as a historical monument.
Alison and I wandered through the market where I picked up some embroidery and later, after an internet visit to the square, I visited the bookshop and picked up some poetry and history books then found a bar where I had tea and a biscuit and Alison had a cocktail before returning back home. I finished the day with a fruit juice and Pringles on the terrace and an early night.
Contrary to my expectations there was no noise last night, until this morning when the calls of various delivery people could be heard through the shutters, and the trotting of the horses and carts. I discovered my shower head had no fixing, so it was an army style shower but at least the water was hot. Our host provided a lovely breakfast on the terrace and chatted away. It would have been pretty hopeless without Spanish. I left at about 9am and visited the square, then the museum, which provided some history and displayed scenes of a period house. Next I went to the archaeological museum where I got further background information. It amazes me that we all went through similar early development, but that the process of being conquered completely alters and depresses what comes later. In this museum, I spent a while talking to a local embroiderer. They do a style of whitework and drawn threadwork here. I shared my work and the lady was most interested. I had a coffee stop although the cappuccino on the outside menu was not available, perhaps to tempt you inside!
Opposite was a lovely little shop, so I tried on a couple of crocheted items and bought both. This precipitated another trip to the bank. When I arrived there was a huge queue by the door. So I asked if the ATMs were working and was told, yes. However the first one cancelled my transaction and the sign by the machine indicated there might be a technical fault with the banking system. I was just going through alternative options in my mind when someone used the neighbouring machine successfully. So I followed suit and eureka, I now have cash.
Then I retraced my steps to the historic centre and on to explore the less touristy areas in the barrios, which was very interesting with great views. Here I gave away all my excess goods from my rucksack, making for some happy faces amongst the mothers and children. So many things are not available here, money is in short supply and choice is just not available. I wound my way back to the centre, although many streets were not on the map. I have found an ice cream parlour for lunch and have had a great cappuccino, yoghurt and biscuit and fruit juice for under £3. I am now experiencing the Cuban lack of respect for your personal space. There has clearly been a delivery and as my chair is in the middle of the shortest route from the delivery to the store cupboard, the delivery is past my chair, very closely! And the lady who mopped the floor has just emptied the bucket immediately behind my chair too. I would not complain, but if I did, I think they would fail to understand my perspective. All very amusing if you take the flexible view.
I now have a couple of hours before we go to the beach. By that time, I can accept being with the group again, I think! Then we have a final meal. I had thought about a ride in the carriages but the tour company is against animal exploitation and I don't think the horses look in good condition.
Managed to fit in a back massage for 9 CUC, about £7 which was finished off with some kind of vibrator whivh made my feet tickle. ! Then we all went to Ancon beach. Alison and I found a sunbed under an umbrella and I went in search of an ice cream. The beach bar had none but sent me towards the hotel. This turned out to be Butlins, Cuba or something called Club Amigo. It was apparent that it had all kinds of activities, several restaurants and was full of sun seekers of all ages. The building looked to be from the Russian era, concrete, utilitarian but now painted yellow and blue. However I got good ice cream, and used their facilities and returned to the beach for a swim and some relaxation.
In the evening we had a group meal at a seafood restaurant but with a new guide as ours had to return home for family reasons. He was great fun and had everyone in stitches on the way back as he taught us how to do Cuban dances on the coach, highly illegal I am sure.
This morning we had another lovely breakfast and our host gave us a little gift and there were lots of farewell hugs. The people here are very friendly. While we were awaiting the bus I asked a couple of chaps about the bird they had hung up on the post in a cage. The others wanted to know and so I asked. It was just taking in the sun.
I walked along to the street market and chatted to some chaps painting and selling. They were all quite cheeky and I had various offers of having my house painted or a Chico to take me to the beach! He asked me to take a photo. I said I'm off to Havana and UK tomorrow. Am not sure what would have happened if I had stayed a further night!
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