Out of Havana and into the countryside.
We are driving about a hundred miles to the east of Havana
to the valley of Viñales. It is an area noted for its
physical beauty and for its tobacco and cigar tradition. Driving out to the
area we are exposed to a very different side of Cuba than what we’ve seen in
Havana.
Country living as a result of the socialist system or state
capitalist system as LÍvan has told us it has become,
has left a look to life that is very different than what we have seen in so
many other parts of the world. Wife was having long discussions with LÍvan about how life unfolds in Cuba. Unfortunately I was in the
back seat and because of the car noise and my hearing issues, I was only
getting bits and pieces of it. So I hope that Wife, after we get back to
internet connectivity and starts posting, will fill in these details. As best I
could tell, a lot of the conversation related to how because there is a basic
social safety net related to the fundamentals needed for life, there are people
who are content to not do much and there are people who want to achieve and do
better. This creates loopholes that allow the latter to do things to improve
their situation, even if it is a bit improbable. I think I will sit up front
with LÍvan for tomorrow’s drive and see if I can
have him repeat some of what he was telling Wife so I can get it straight.
Rather than give a timeline of what we did today, I want to give
you a list of the highlights of our two days so far since I was so tired
yesterday and didn’t do a very good job of explaining.
·
Being totally wowed by the incredible variety of
architecture and street scenes in Havana to the extent that Wife and I both
took more pictures in one day than we ever have before
·
Introduction to “That’s just Cuba”. If you’ve lived
in the Philippines you would understand, such as why a coffee place has not hot
water. Or why no eggs are available in the city
·
The feast for the eyes that is all the vintage
cars totally restored to brilliant finery
·
Taking a ride in vintage convertible. I thought
it would be hokey. It was cool and romantic instead
·
Doing my first ever cigar and rum tasting…then
doing it the next day at the production area. Sorry, not sold on cigars. Rum!
That is different. But sons-in-law and daughters if you want to try a top
cigar, your Mother/Mother-in-law made sure we have a supply for you to try!
·
Seeing a society where the horse and buggy is
still a major form of transportation
·
Seeing a society where hitchhiking is a MAJOR
form of transportation
Tomorrow we head out for four days into Central Cuba. Really
looking forward to it.
4 comments:
And then there was no internet.... love love love Cuba!
What an interesting juxtaposition of modernity and the past.
glad you are having such an immersive experience. I expect when mom posts that we'll get a different commentary, as you guys see different things in your travels.
I usually don't respond to these posts but I heard something, something, - son in law - cigars - something, something, - rum. Before I go back to lurking, I'll say YES and YES ;-)
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