2019: Cuba 

Mar 23, 2019.  Habana

• Finally able to overcome my constipation this morning (4 days ).  But kinda stiff, so popped an ibuprofen.  Usual 5 CUC enormous breakfast - could only finish half of it.

• Horse carriage to Viazul Terminal: no seats!  So grabbed a collectivo for the first time: Renault passenger vehicle, about 30 years old, two other passengers (20).  Only problem: lousy music with speaker just behind me.  One nice feature: I think the collectivo will deliver me to my casa particular, which means no taxi required.  

• Straight shot past sugar cane, banana and pineapple fields to Habana and Casa Raquel y Pablo: about 3 hours.  Last was right along La Malecón.  Nice Casa Particular, in a great old animated section of town.

• Lunch at the cafe recommended by ViaHero, Galy Café, a plain door entry, overly air conditioned, giant screen showing music videos, and packed.  I had a shrimp cocktail, ham & cheese sandwich (on good bread, for a change),  beer, and flan: (8).

• Next up: I jumped onto a double-decker Habana Bus Tour, and got off for a look at the Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón.  Pretty nice, but I left my hat there by mistake.  I think that makes at least four hats I’ve lost the last two years.  

• Got off at the last bus tour stop to watch the Circo Nacional de Cuba.  Very cool, with seriously hot dancers and lots of volunteer kid stuff.  Very enthusiastic crowd.

• For dinner I tried to get into a recommended restaurant, but this being Saturday night, there was a long line; so I strolled on, and chose a tiny restaurant, La Mamba Café, and had a pretty good and slightly expensive meal.  Back home and in bed by 10.