Day 456 - And We're Off! Well, I Am!

I was quite happy that I decided to drive to the city last night & stay at Mom2’s. It was a lot less stressful & I actually slept in a little! I was happy to have one last snuggle with the girls before I left them behind. **sniff, sniff**

My flight was at 1300, so we left for the airport shortly after 1000. Mom2 is getting the hang of picking me up & dropping me off at the airport. The first time it was $18 in parking charges, so now she drops me off & has made friends with the security fellows as to when to pick me up.

The first leg of the flight was to Houston. I was mildly upset, as Mike, Jenn’s husband, was in Houston for training & I couldn’t even get out to see him! Drat!

I spotted some fellows with plenty of pelican cases & assumed they were photographing/videoing something. Sure enough, I questioned them when we got to Houston & they were working for the BBC doing a documentary on extreme weather patterns around the world. They had just left Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories & were headed for Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I also met another couple that never had children & were traveling to Antarctica, Chile & Argentina for 6 weeks. (!!) They had been to South America previously & loved it so much they decided to go back. I LOVE to hear of people’s decision to travel to Antarctica. You can’t help but fall in love with Mother Nature when you travel there. It stirs something in your soul & never lets go completely. Of course, Africa is the same. As is Europe. As I type this in the Caribbean, there’s something about the blue-green waters & white sand of the tropical regions of the world. Leave me in Bora Bora or Yasawa or Barbados any day. Sigh. I do love to travel… That said, I’m grateful for the safe & uneventful flights I took today!

The flight to West Palm Beach wasn’t too long. Before I knew it, I was collecting my bags & heading outside to look for Alessandra. Who? Alessandra. She is the amazing young woman I met on the Star Princess back in 2007 when we sailed across the Atlantic, throughout Europe & up to the Baltic. She was onboard with her absolutely adorable son, Gianfranco, her parents & her uncle. We ended up on several tours together & I got to know & love them. Alessandra & I kept in touch via email over the years (although miserably on my part!) & this summer, she found me on Facebook. I told her of my health issues & she immediately suggested I come to Hippocrates. When she said it was close by, I didn’t question how close ‘close’ really was. Turns out she lives in Miami & it’s a 2 hour drive! I felt terrible when I realized the distance & I’d asked her if I could stay with her & Gianfranco!

Sure enough, she met me outside the airport & away we went to their home 2 hours away. We had a wonderful visit en route & a chance to catch up on what we’ve been missing these past few years.

Before I knew it, we were turning off the freeway & into a residential area. It was now nearly 0100. We were both tired. She showed me around the house & I tried to be as quiet as possible. Gianfranco was sleeping & her Mother was visiting.

Their home was beautiful! I LOVE her style – but then, I loved her taste in fashion from the day I met her… Of course I’m going to love her home! When it comes time to decorate Jaco & I’s home – WHEN – I know whom I’ll call to help with the décor!

 My head hit the pillow & it was lights out.

xxxxMaria in Miami

Only in Calgary will you find a bootjack at security. I found this hilarious. When I asked if I could take a photo of it, security didn't understand my sense of ha-ha. What's up with that?

Houston Airport.

Day 448 - But I Don't Want To Go!

Well, it’s finally here. The last day in Cuba. Kim & I stayed in Vedado for our last morning, as we had spent our last pennies. I wanted to get a photo of the Malécon with a wave crashing & an old car (not asking for much, am I?), so we walked the streets of Vedado one last time. We savoured every beautiful smile, every curve of architecture & every chug of old car exhaust. We made it back to Fernando y Marisol’s place with 10 minutes to spare until our cab arrived to take us to the airport.

There was no checking for liquids, no laptop segregation, just scan the carry on & away we go. Our flight left late, which put us into Toronto late. I managed to miss my flight to Calgary & had to take a later flight home. I was slightly miffed, as I actually made it to the gate on time, but because the Customer Service Agent hadn’t written the flight number behind ‘Standby’, I couldn’t get on the plane! To make things worse, EVERY Air Canada Agent I encountered on the ground was HORRIBLE. They get a big fat ‘F’ for taking terrible care of their guests. When I approached the gate to see if I could catch the flight, the Attendant was actually hollering at some guests that apparently hadn’t heard their names over the intercom system. Um, who is the paying customer here? I quickly remembered why I choose WestJet on every possible occasion.

I finally made it home shortly after 0100 & Mom2 was there to meet me. Ooooh, it was so cold. I was happy to be home & see my family & friends & of course, the girls, but I was NOT happy to feel the cold weather again. Yuck.

I cuddled under the heavy blankets with the girls – happy to have them warm me up! Good night all!

xxxxMaria, Valentina & Oceana

One last breath of Cuban air!

**sniff, sniff**

Boo.

Our humble abode for the past week.

One last stroll to the Malecon

Stuff

Puppy

Market

Old house

Old house

Old house

Market

Old house

Old fence

Old truck at the market

Helping each other

Old fence

Parque John Lennon

The old fellow who brought us John's glasses - they keep getting stolen!

Parque John Lennon

Putting on John's glasses

Posing for a photo!

He takes our photo

Again

And again

Puppy

Malecon

Waves

Malecon

Fernando y Marisol

Cohiba!

Cohiba!

Malecon

Day 441 - And We're Off To CUBA!!!

I arrived at 05-something in Toronto. I found out where I needed to go to catch my final flight. On my way there, I spotted a quiet corner with 2 chairs. I asked the security gal if I could rest there & she said, ‘No problem.’ I couldn’t fall asleep to save my life, but I uncomfortably tossed & turned, dozing off from time to time. I checked my messages & nothing too urgent. I emailed Mom & she replied something about getting my text, which completely confused me, but nothing new there!

I finally got up & decided to head towards my gate, as the time was nearing. I hitched a ride in one of the little buggies. The lady offered me a ride & I found it funny, as Mom2 & I were just talking about how they never give you a ride when you need it. And I didn’t really need it today, but I took it anyways.

When I got to the gate area, there were these really neat black arches & the light was reflecting off the windows & arches beautifully. It was nicely done! I contemplated getting some sushi, but changed my mind. I sat down to check emails again & a Japanese visitor sat down beside me. We enjoyed a chat about travel, Canada, Japan & America. When I checked my messages, Mom emailed me back to say the text was from Kim, the friend I was traveling to Cuba with & that her plane was delayed & she wasn’t sure if she would make the connection to Cuba with me.

Oh dear. That was a bit alarming, as I didn’t know where we were staying or anything about the trip – for that matter! My bad, I know! I usually always have the details worked out! Not this time!

I decided to go to the counter & let them know that Kim was coming in on a flight from Ottawa & she would be cutting it close to make her flight. When I told the lady, she typed away on her computer & then said, ‘She’s not on the flight. She boarded, but then got off.’ WHAT?! No, there must be a mistake! ‘No’, the woman reassured me Kim was most certainly not on that flight. Great. Now what?

I called Mom. No answer. I tried about 5x. No answer. I called Kim. No answer. ($5.20 for one minute at the payphone! Guess I need a cell!) I was perplexed. If she didn’t get on the plane, why isn’t she answering her phone? What is going on? What am I going to do now? Hang out in Toronto for a week? Until tomorrow? Oh I was in FULL panic mode now!

I went back to the counter to tell the lady to pull my bags off the plane & sort out what was the next step. I asked her one more time – ‘Are you sure she didn’t get on that plane?’ She said, ‘Yes’, as she typed frantically on her computer. And then, ‘Oh. Wait. I’m wrong. She IS on the plane.’ Phew! Then she says, ‘But we’re about to start boarding. I don’t think she’s going to make it in time.’ Just then the phone rang. Kim was at Customer Service & she was on her way. (AMEN!) I knew I would be the last person on the plane regardless, so I didn’t wait in line. Instead, I waited, with camera rolling, to see Kim hookin’ it for the gate. And sure enough, I saw this little china doll bopping down the escalator & then she popped out the end of the pretty arches, bags flopping, hair blowing in the wind from her run… I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my life! (Well, until 21^st February when I get to see Jaco again!) We hugged & hopped onto the plane. We were off!

We visited for a while, ate some food & then we both fell asleep. I’d say we crashed, but since we were on a plane & all, I don’t think it is appropriate!

We landed in Havana & had to clear customs. 1.5 hrs later – yes, we picked the wrong queue – we were finally in Cuba! We found our driver, exchanged some money & headed for downtown to drop off an envelope for the photographers.

It was love at first sight. No, not with the photographers - they turned out to be delightful - but with Havana. What an incredible city. Amazing architecture, old cars, beautiful people… it is going to be an amazing week!

We found our ‘home away from home’ next. Kim has a friend from home who has an Aunt in Vedado – an area in Havana – and we were going to stay with her. The cab driver dropped us off & Kim proceeded to drag her big suitcase up three floors on a very narrow & dark staircase. A gentleman came along & carried mine up for me. I followed suit with my carryon bag, which was just as heavy as my checked bag! We arrived at the top & went out onto a little patio overlooking the area. We sat down with a glass of water & coffee only to be told the woman had rented out our room for the next month! Minor detail! In any case, she had a neighbor across the street who had a room for us. He came over & introduced himself as Fernando.

We hauled our suitcases back down the narrow staircase & headed across the street. (208 to 209) Fernando showed us to our room on the second floor. It was tacky & dated, but it was home for the next week. Floral curtains, matching bedspreads, brown tile, pink walls, and best of all, a sliding curtain for the bathroom door. I guess I’ll have to watch my rice & beans intake for the week!

We unpacked our bags & decided to go out for dinner. I was a little nervous, as Kim said we could walk & it was already dark. I’ve never been comfortable walking in a 1^st world country at night, let alone a 3^rd world country! Nonetheless, we set out for our restaurant. Kind of.

It was someone’s home who is authorized by the government to serve food. We had a nice meal – I can tell I’m going to struggle with the food – Cubans like a lot of meat! The lady showed us a few rooms in the house after our meal. WOW. 8’ doors, chandeliers, amazing antiques – pretty much indescribable! We walked home along the Malécon. It is a main road that runs parallel to the ocean. The waves crash against the wall & splash high in the air, often splashing onto the sidewalk & street at times. It was impressive! I loved the ocean breeze & the sound of the waves. But what I loved even more… I felt safe! No one gave us a second glance! Well, okay, they certainly glanced twice, but Cuban men like to make their appreciation known & additionally, they probably don’t see too many Asian women or bald women!

We made it home safe & sound! Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast at Fernando’s (where we’re staying)  & then venture out to see Havana Vieja (Old Havana). It’s also Kim’s birthday, so we’ll try to do something special for her!

Buenas noches

xxxxMaria

Shadows stretching long. 

Free ride! 

 Crazy fast bumpy walkway

 Funky arches

My Japanese friend 

 The queue waiting for Kim!

 Up & away

 Clouds & shadows & water

 Little town in Cuba

We're here! 

 Cab ride

 Monument to José Martí

I'm in love already! 

 Just keeps getting better!

Our room.  

 Mmm, not for me.

Antique & crazy coat rack.