CUBA HERE WE COME

5/4/18:  We boarded our ship in time for lunch. Well, what did you expect? After getting settled into our cabins, we went through the life-jacket-life-boat drill, and I promised myself that I would certainly not abandon ship before dinner.

 Information slips were left in our cabins about our adventure in Cuba. It was suggested that  when ashore: “Don’t drink the water.” “Don’t put ice into your drinks.” “Exchange your money into CUCS (Cuban Money) at the pier.” And, “Take toilet paper with you wherever you go.”

5/5/18: Havana here we come. We sailed into Havana and saw the Morro (wall) built by the Spaniards in 1589 to protect the city from buccaneers, pirates and tourists. We walked 40 steps down to the the pier, exchanged our money and boarded a modern, air-conditioned bus which had come from China.  Yes, there was a bathroom on the bus, and, Yes, there was no toilet paper. “Rock and Roll” took on a new meaning. We were treated to the “Ultimate Highlights of Havana,” and our guide spoke English beautifully. As a matter of fact, most of the people in Cuba are more fluent in English than are some of our high school students in the States.

In the evening, we went to The Parisien Cabaret at the Hotel Nacional De Cuba which had been built by the Mafia in 1930. The Mafia had plans at that time to turn Havana into another Las Vegas. The Cabaret had a spectacular show which blended the Indo-American, Hispanic and African cultures that led to the Cuban culture of today.

Havana is a very safe city. There are no guns, no drugs, no knives and no scissors allowed. I don’t get the scissors part either.  But, Oh, those cars!  Beautiful, colorful sixty year old Chevys, Buicks, and Fords are everywhere, as are mechanics. A Chevy might have a Ford back and a German engine, but it runs! Kind of! The Cuban people are very industrious and very talented. They can take any toss-away and create imaginative works of  art accompanied by beautiful music, and they are very kind and friendly. The economy is terrible, but they make do. Doctors and teachers make more on tips as tour guides than they can in their professions. Much like teachers in Arizona.

5/6/18: Josh and Barbara’s 6th wedding anniversary.  Time for us to smoke some cigars!
We took the “Cuban Rum, Cigars, and Art” tour.  Cuba has some of the best rum and cigars in the world. We went to the Havana Club to get an informative talk on the proper way to light and smoke cigars, and drink rum.  I smoked my first and never-again puff of a cigar, and enjoyed the rum and coffee so much that I really don’t remember the art part of that tour.

When Josh and Barbara showered to get ready for their anniversary dinner the smoke alarm in their cabin went off, so everyone on the ship knew they were celebrating. People came down from the Bridge and from Security. The only person missing was Groucho Marx.  It was quite a party!

5/7/18:  A day at sea.

Cienfuegos, Cuba here we come.  To be continued——