2019: Cuba 

Mar 27, 2019.  Habana

• In town to trade money and get a new one hour phone card for one CUC  before my Viazul bus leaves for Habana.  Surprise:  it doesn’t leave at 12, but at 2 PM.  So it looks like I have three hours to blow.  At least I can get lunch here (if I was hungry - The breakfast at the Casa was enormous).

• Cuban drinks: mojito, daiquiri, Cuban Libre.  

• Lunch at eco-friendly El Olivo: Lasagne & Cuba(n?) Libre.  And previously a Valium & an ibuprofen for the bus ride to Habana: no more sore left leg?  We’ll see...

• I’ve lost a lot of weight.  Too much?  But body and especially arms look kinda buff.  Awaiting opinions of family & friends.

• Royal palms (the national tree) and vultures everywhere.

• No problems with pee or poo the entire vacation.  Was I sick before?

• Habana (and other cities in Cuba) are celebrating their 500th anniversary.

• 3 1/2 hours in comfortable Viazul bus (8) along mostly flat countryside to Habana, then same price for taxi to Casa.  Checked into Casa Particular Tere y Justo La Cabana.  Now waiting in line at El Chanchullero (“Aqui jamás estuvo Hemingway”: “Hemingway was never here” on sign outside).  Supposed to be a less touristy place for a drink.  So I hung out at the bar (on a horse saddle) next to a lovely solo Italian traveler now living in England.  I downed three drinks discussing the world with her, then moved on down the road to Los Nardos, where I had given up trying to get into when I first arrived in Habana.  Advantage: solo clients get in faster.  Worth the ten minute weight: biggest plate of garlic shrimp (plus rice and banana chips) I’ve had.  The place is Huge - I’m on the second floor.  Just locals. And WiFi!  A great way to spent my last night in Havana.  Shrimp dish is best ever.  

• Can hardly walk straight - need hiking sticks!  Getting old...

Mar 28, 2019.  Habana > Mexico City

• Woke up with a case of Montezuma’s Revenge - maybe I overdid it a bit last night.  So, minimal breakfast and relaxing in my room, close to the toilet.  If / when I start to feel better, I’ll try to get out and do a bit of the city.  Goals: Plaza de la Catedral (Restaurante Paris); Plaza de Armes (Museo de la Ciudad); Plaza Vieja (stained glass windows on west side); Calle Oficos; Calle Obsipo (music after 6); Calle Mercaderes (old shops); Calle Obrapia #157 (Casa de África - Santería); Museo Nacional de Bella’s Artes (old stuff); Presidential Palace (Museo de la Revolución, Tiffany); Hotel Nacional (Moorish lobby); Parque Lennon