Plenty of people giving me stuff: food, money, water, etc.
Things not to say to a Cuban:
"Where's the McDonald's?"
"This feels like the Bay of Pigs"
Etc.
Went by a rice field, the farmer offered me water, ropes to tie my shoes.
Now aiming to walk Cuba!
Another long day of walking.
Walked over another provincial border, from Matanzas into Cienfuegos!
Phone batt's out, so no pix.
Dry fields. Fires. Wood smoke smells. Seems like an appropriate name. I think they named the province (& city) after revolutionary Camilo Cienfuegos, but there were around 100 fires.
Funny call I keep hearing the horse driver yell: Caballo!
Another long day of walking.
The people in the Cuban countryside are quite kind. They have offered me food, drink, conversation.
Unsure how I'll navigate the upcoming period. I want to stay longer in Cuba. It wouldn't take much more cash. Trying again in the city! :)
After the bottom fell off one of my shoes, I decided just to walk without it. I stepped on a few hard, sharp objects. This evening, I attempted some shoe repairs. Not sure yet if they'll hold up.
Walked another 25 km or so, through more gorgeous Cuban countryside.
Tropical fruits fall to the ground.
Out here, the e-bikes seem like the most modern thing around. Otherwise, I feel like I'm in a different period, more than in a different place.
Another day of walking, through some of the most beautiful country I've seen. Horses, towns, etc.
Some reference prices in Cuba (in American dollars):
Coffee: 5 c
Sandwich: 25 c - $1 (up to $4.50 in expensive rest stops)
Meal: 50 c - $5
Cup of juice or soda: 5 c - 15 c
Woke up this morning with cattle roaming next to me.
Walked through some more charming towns.
Tons of sugar cane fields.
Ate some delicious foods. The food in Cuba is inexpensive. It's often bland, sometimes dry for my taste. I do like much of it, though.
Shoes continue to fall apart.
Making my way towards the next city, Cienfuegos. There, I want to see if there are any sailboats to ride. Otherwise, maybe find a travel partner, or see if I can get a flight from another city.
I empathize with the Cubans, in that we're works in progress. I see Cubans adapting to their circumstances, making houses or vehicles or anything out of spare parts. We share some tastes, like soft food (rice, bread, etc.). However, we do have some significant differences. For example, Cubans are loud.
It seems like the Airbnb cash exchange is unlikely to work. I'm now thinking of getting/walking as far as I can, then finding a boat or airplane or anything out of the country. Maybe find a travel partner. Before I get out of range (cash for food to walk) of Havana, test if I can take my flight on a different date.
I find it much harder to travel in the Caribbean than on the mainland. Instead of a few larger countries that you can walk or bike or drive or bus etc. among, you have numerous small countries separated by water, each having its own laws, customs, money, etc., often bureaucratic, difficult (to navigate).
Some days are hard. Some days go more smoothly.
I like the flex difficulties of traveling more than the boring difficulties of stagnancy.
I've learned that "slightly farther" often means "much more".
Walked from Matanzas through several of the most beautiful towns I've seen on the planet. Nice people, in the small towns & countryside of Cuba. Shoes, etc., barely holding up. Mind, body feeling stronger.
Maybe write about adventure travel. I'm often the only foreigner where I go. Share this perspective. Maybe leave out explicit science, technology, etc., write about what I encounter.
Cubans often make their own fruit juices, sodas.
Electric bikes, scooters, gas bikes, motorcycles are popular here.
Toilet paper seems longer (per piece), which I like, as a doubler myself.
Cubans seem thrifty, by necessity.
It's a pain to do anything in Cuba. The wifi stops working, it rains, etc.
Enmojado: n. (ennojado "angry" + mojado "wet"): angry because of getting rained on.
Maybe stay near the sea for marinas.
See how far I can go:
$100
$5/day
20 days
3 weeks
Friday May 10?
25 km/day?
500 km?
Still enough to find some way.
Keep trying.
Another frustrating yet beautiful day in Cuba! :)
I feel like things keep falling apart.
I'm continuing to push through.
I hope to get to a preferable destination.
Matanzas is another beautiful Cuban city. Mountains, buildings, sea, etc.
Having to go to the bathroom. After two nights camping. Booked another Airbnb for tonight. After the booking went through, the host canceled. I was getting ready to book a third Matanzas Airbnb. Asked the first night's host (when I didn't make it or find wifi) if I could stay tonight instead. Thankfully, she said yes!
Beautiful apartment. Cubans have style. I've seen tons of shirts for Paris, New York, Italian cities, etc. The comparison sort of makes sense in Havana. Big exciting city.
I asked to trade money via Airbnb for cash. Host said no. Still worrying about cash.
In Cuba, it often feels like it takes all day to do one simple thing, like go to the bathroom. A communist country, a Latin country, a tropical country… Cuba is a recipe for not getting things done.Cuba feels like a giant tropical island, which it is.
I'm passing for Cuban, which was a goal.
I'm often feeling stuck. Not sure how much it's age, how much it's my personality, how much it's travel, how much it's just the way things are. I often feel like whatever I try to do, there are difficulties. Often small things, but still blockages. They build up. It's frustrating. Also often sad, although also often happy.
Woke up this morning after my first time wild camping in Cuba!
Today I have tons more walking to do.
Walked far, but didn't make it to my airbnb. Did make it into the city limits.
Walking through the empty mountains, no towns or rest stops, getting thirsty. Hoping for some fruit juice. By the side of the road, a couple of young guys selling tomatoes & bananas? Not tomatoes, ciruelas! Plums! Even better.
Exploding with juices.
Numerous spots for campismo, camping.
Reminds me of Texas/southern US.
Pan con lechon, cuban pulled pork, etc.