Sundry Photos from Cuba

Hello all

Going back to Cuba for awhile just to post some more photos from this extremely photogenic country.

Photos:

Chandelier at yet another Habana casa

I was invited to sit in the chair next to this old man as I was out walking.

The "door" intrigued me, especially when it was open!!!

The entrance to my internet cafe in Vinales.....often places were extremely hard to find and no wonder with this kind of signage!

Vinales - message on school wall for students to be punctual!

Monuments to the liberators are all over Vinales

Trinidad is known for its lovely crochet work. I bought some from this lovely lady

A square in Habana

Mexico City – forget the stereotypes

Mexico City – forget the stereotypes

Mexico City has blown my stereotyped views sky high. Staying in the vibrant Zona Rosa area is quieter than the historic area around the cathedral. The streetscapes are packed with many fabulous sculptures.

Just outside the city (about 50kms north east) is the Teotihuacan pyramid complex which was conceived around 1st century AD and built about 100 years after that. After climbing to the top of the Sun (248 steps!) and Moon pyramids, I awoke the next morning to find that my leg muscles were very stiff and my legs had a mind of their own.

It’s an amazing site showing a glimpse of a former life and so close to the city. Next time I won’t go on a tour so that I have more freedom and time to wander.

In the city, the Museo Nacional de Antropologia is a wonder of information and displays of early history. It would be easy to loose oneself for a day in the excellent displays of early civilization and those depicting the evolution of mankind. Not being all that keen on museums I surprised myself by spending over half a day there and would be happy to return to see what I missed.

Swine flu has decimated tourism here. Several people have said that visitor levels are just 10% of this time last year.

I’m extremely keen to return to this city and to explore more of Mexico.

After a few days in NZ I’ll return to Sydney and must begin the (totally unexpected) search for another job.

Then I will repeat the cycle. Work, travel, work, travel. Aaah what a life this is!

I’m enjoying…….the food here. It’s fresh, tasty and delivered with efficiency and a smile. I’m also enjoying the cooler weather here.

I’m amazed……at just how different Mexico is from my expectations. This country is fascinating. I can’t wait to return.

I’m surprised….that my knowledge and understanding of the Spanish language has grown since I’ve been surrounded by it. It’s still very basic and it is still difficult to make myself understood. The waiters have no patience which is fair enough and they ask if I speak English which I find mildly insulting after my attempts!! Te he. They then converse in my language. However, others are patient and love me trying. I’ve taken to writing in my diary the full date in Spanish and I asked a waiter the other day if what I’d written was correct. He was really happy to tell me that it was! Nice.

I’m looking forward to…….getting back to NZ for a time. Actually by the time I get this published I will be back in the cold.

Photos: Ancient mural

The pyramid - I climbed all 248 steps to the top to see the centuries old sites laid out before me.

Mexico City – my hotel and my location

Mexico City – my hotel and my location

The staff at my hotel, Eurostar Zona Rosa (http://www.eurostarhotels.com/) are fantastic and so too is my hotel which I selected after researching and reading the good reports on http://www.tripadvisor.com/. I love tripadvisor.

It was really difficult to decide where to stay, in this sprawling city of 19 million people. However, I am happy I selected the Zona Rosa area which is in the gay friendly part of town. Despite (or perhaps because of) the massive number of police, armed with huge serious looking guns, and security guards it feels a safe area for a lone tourist.

It’s been lovely staying in this small very friendly hotel which is well located for relatively easy access to key attractions, shops, cafes and a market.

The hotel might be small but there is nothing small about my room, or should I say rooms.

I have a lounge room with a TV, a three seater and two seater couch, microwave, coffee maker etc and then my massive bed made up with pure white starched sheets and another TV etc. Internet is wireless and free which is always a bonus to this traveler.

After Cuba it was extremely exciting to see things in shops and, probably more importantly, things you might want to buy. Yet another reminder of how hard the Cubans have it with their rationing of all manner of things including food.

But in Mexico I was extremely impressed with the silver jewelry and spoiled myself by splurging on a few pieces. What’s more it was difficult to limit myself to just a few such is the creative artistry shown in the design and craftsmanship.

I’m loving….the shops….all glitter, light and lovely displays.

I’m enjoying….all the sculptures in the street. Along the Reforma (a wide tree lined avenue) the seats magnificently sculptured in bronze of many and varied designs. The Mexicans have taken such pride in these pieces of art.

I’m missing…..netball….netball and more netball. Thankfully a friend keeps giving me the competition updates.

I’m surprised…..just how cosmopolitan this city is and how much art’s on display for all to enjoy.

It was touching…...to have the bell hop stand on the side of the street and wave goodbye to me as I was driven to the airport in my taxi. How often has that happened to travelers? It's a first for me....what about you?

Photos: Some ice madam?

Mexican vendor

A Cautionary Tale

Hello all
I’d been traveling for a few months and part of my “stay healthy travel kit” was a bottle of hand sanitizer which I used regularly before eating. Some restaurants, notably in Mexico City, waiters routinely offered its guests a dollop of this lotion from a large bottle.

I’d been congratulating myself on my continued good health when suddenly my hands erupted in several ugly looking sores. The skin on my hands was red and raw in several places, mainly by the joints and down my index fingers.

Naturally I was concerned I'd picked up a skin disease somewhere in my travels. Thankfully, a quick visit to a medical specialist confirmed it was simply a case of washing my hands too often which had depleted the natural oils in my skin. Huh!!

I'd been using the hand sanitizer too often without a corresponding increase in applying hand cream. Using this and other alcohol based washing products had stripped the natural oils from my skin.

For the past three days I've been trying to nourish my hands to restore the balance but they are still a little raw.

The solution for future travels?......... I’ll continue using this hand gel but add in a regular and generous dose of intensive nourishing hand cream!

My first dining experience in Mexico city

My First Dining Experience in Mexico City
It’s always a minor miracle when, in non English speaking countries, the food delivered to my table is what I asked for, or even something close to that! With each success I grin to myself, just a little.

On my first morning here, I waived the easy option of breakfast at the hotel, where staff members speak my language extremely well. Instead I wandered close to my base along the open air mall lined with restaurants and shops.

I entered a restaurant and sat down. None of the staff spoke English. Undaunted, but too tired to make much effort, I ordered coffee and a tortilla (a type of Spanish omelette). My coffee arrived promptly. Then I waited and waited but no food arrived. The waiter hovered and I could tell he was concerned for my welfare but what he was saying was a complete mystery to me.

After some time he said “algo mas?” Ah ha, I know that one - it means “anything else?” I tried to explain that my egg order hadn’t materialized but in my tired state it was too hard.

He then had a brain wave and presented me with a massive basket of breads, croissants and other tasty goodies. I confess, that this time, I took the easy option and selected sugared croissant. So much for a protein based breakfast.

Thankfully it’s not always like that.

I'm loving....the vibe of this city which is completely unexpected.

I'm amazed....at how attentive, professional and caring the restaurant staff are.

I'm reading....ooh some fluff!!! It kept my mind occupied but I can't remember what it was.

I'm missing....all my favourite food. Before I left Cuba I was really missing the easy access to the internet and wireless connections. However, my hotel here in Mexico has free wireless internet. What a bonus! I love that!

sorry no photos to accompany this one. I will try in a day or two or three.

Especially for my Australian Friends

Hello there all my Australian Friends

I was wandering around Habana and could hardly believe my eyes when I looked up and saw the billing for Baz's film "Australia". I toyed....only momentarily ....with going but I resisted. I thought it would have been really funny to see it with a Spanish speaking audience. However, this photo is especially for you!

TOTALLY Chilled....

Totally Chilled…..

I don’t think it would be possible for me to be more relaxed than I am right now. A few nights in Vinales and three nights in Las Terrazas at the Hotel Moka has totally eliminated any residual stress. Not that there was much stress now that I’ve been on vacation for over one month. It feels longer but my calendar tells me it is just a month.

Las Terrazas is an intriguing spot and quite unlike anything else (I’ve seen) in Cuba. It’s an eco resort.

Burning off and bad land management techniques over time, left the small community of around 1000 people living in poor conditions. In the early 70’s a reservoir was created, a model settlement constructed and pines planted to stabilise the hillsides. The government approved an eco-tourism resort and in the 90’s Hotel Moka was sensitively constructed to blend into the hillside. It’s pretty and peaceful…if you ignore the barking dogs that is.

One hundred metres or so from the hotel is an eco/organic vegetarian restaurant – El Romero. A vegetarian restaurant is very rare in Cuba. The food is so divine I went back for several meals. They offer something I would love to see other café’s and restaurants adopt – the option of choosing a small, medium or large portion.

I’ve had an incredibly (plenty of emphasis on the word incredibly!) laid back time in Las Terrazas watching day turn ever so slowly into night and vice versa. As I sat on the deck chair (not rocking this time) I spent hours observing the black hawk like birds swoop gracefully through the trees in front of me. Sometimes they get involved in “fights” chasing smaller birds.

Next I’ll spend a few more days in Habana then Mexico, NZ then Sydney. The temperature here has been mostly around 32 degrees so going back to the cold will be a little bit of a shock. But, I’m told the mountains are covered in snow and so looking across Lake Taupo to the Mts Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe and Tongariro will be a pretty sight; one I always enjoy.

Photos: The Hotel Moka

Another car...this time with bullet holes in the door. There are many cars around with bullet holes.