Day 443 - Sensory Overload!

Well, I'm adjusting to the fact that we are just NOT early risers. I'm not too upset by that.

We enjoyed another yummy breakfast - I'm not too crazy about the juice at times, but the fruit plate is most enjoyable! Kim enjoyed the scrambled eggs & toast - I tried them today & they were pretty good! Fernando is a great chef!

We headed out towards the bus station today. We needed to buy our tickets to Varadero for tomorrow's departure. We enjoyed the lively local scenery on our way & proceeded to visit the monument to José Marti. We ended up stopping en route by a field & visited under the shade of a tree for an hour or so, just enjoying the day & each other's company. A group of boys & men played baseball behind us, oblivious to the heat, sun & the effort needed to run after a little white ball.

After our visit to the monument, we made our way to the cemetery. It was very beautiful! I was amazed at the statues of angels, wings, Jesus, marble, granite, glass & cherubs. The grandeur & magnificence shown to the deceased reminded me of the cemetery in Buenos Aires, where Evita is buried. We visited the tomb of one famous woman - Amelia or La Miligrosa. Amelia died during childbirth, as did the baby. The faithful husband visited the tomb every day, until at one point, for whatever reason, the bodies were exhumed. Once buried at the feet of his mother, the baby was found in his mother's arms upon exhumation. Today millions flock to knock the brass ring on Amelia's tomb & ask for a wish to be granted. Many women wanting a child visit with the hopes & prayers that Amelia will bring them a baby. Apparently you are not to turn your back on Amelia - you must back away. Of course I wished for something...

We strolled around the cemetery capturing all the things that appeared beautiful & inspirational to us. In fact, we were one of the last out of the cemetery come closing time! We stopped across the street & Kim had a pizza. I've been enjoying my nut bars. I think Kim is getting tired of me offering them to her. Every time she says she's hungry, I offer a nut bar. She'll get desperate enough yet... Just you wait & see! Ha ha.

After a little food was in our bellies, we headed off in pursuit of more food. Ice cream. Coppelia is THE ice cream place in Havana. It's probably the ONLY ice cream place in Havana. There is a special section for tourists - (RIP OFF) they charge you quadruple of what the locals pay. Fair enough. The locals put up with enough - they deserve the break! But the queue! I've NEVER seen such a queue! Honestly, the ice cream wasn't all that special, but it was worth the experience. If you can imagine people lined up ALL the way around the park & inside the park at tables on the second & ground floor... Here's a view from Google Maps:


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After our somewhat mediocre ice cream experience, we walked home. In the dark. With our cameras around our necks. On dimly lit streets. No one paid us any attention, unless they were making comments about my exotic Chinese friend - 'Chee-nah, Chee-nah,' they would say. I enjoy the fact that I can walk down a street with very few lights & feel completely safe.

We packed our things up & prepared for the bus ride tomorrow to Varadero. Bring on the beach & pending nuptials! Yay!

xxxxMaria