If your staying at the resort which is adjacent to the marina you are eligible for free bus tickets to town. Otherwise in is a total of $12.00. Jerome was able to procure a ticket for each of us so off to the bus stop we went with our Havana guide. The trip involves two buses. The first takes you about three miles to a transfer spot. There you wait again for a double Decker hop on hop off bus that takes you all around Havana. We enjoyed riding on the top taking photos. The bus was full but I am pretty sure we were the only riders from the states. The different languages blended together as we rode along to make an interesting hum across the bus.
Our plan was to get off at the main square and head for Old Habana, an area filled with artists, shops and interesting restaurants. Kathy was in the lead with the map located on the inside of her guide. We wandered up and down taking photos of the ornate but crumbling buildings, classic cars, narrow streets and people but could not find the area that was specifically labeled Old Habana.
We spotted Sloppy Joe's from the bust so headed that way to see the inside and get a bite of lunch. It is the original Sloppy Joe's bar. It was pretty busy but we found a spot at the bar and waited and waited and waited. Frustrated that we were unable to get waited on we left. Not finding another restaurant and hunger now taking its toll on a few in the group I asked a local for directions to a restaurant. He motioned to follow him and we did for at least five blocks. I was beginning to worry about where he was really taking us as we seemed to be headed further and further away from recognizable areas. Ten minutes later he pointed at our destination and it was closed! Off he went and we back tracked to a hole in the wall stand up pizza joint we had passed a couple of blocks back. Tom ordered a small pizza and I had a ham and cheese. Our cost was about eight dollars American. Following lunch we struck out again to find the Old Habana area. Tom and I stopped in a little shop, and I mean little. It was the size of my bedroom walk in closet. In fact most of the shops we found were that size or smaller! When we came out the rest of our group was gone! We hustled up the street and finally got a glimpse of them .We quickly realized that they were being led around by a local who spoke English. He evidently approached them and said he would be their tour guide! He took us into a government grocery store, that basically consisted of 20 pound bags of rice, dried beans and a few boxes of milk. He then took us to what he called a capitalist grocery. It had two floors, the first being meat, bakery items, milk and more. Unlike the government grocery it was well lit, very clean, and had tiled floors rather than cement. The second floor consisted of clothing. We then dutifully followed him to a very narrow side street. He said he wanted to show us rooms that he rented, and how the Cubans lived. Vic and Jerome followed him up some very dark steep steps. After a few minutes I decided to follow but after getting to the first floor and seeing these rooms with a bed and a high gate rather than a door I decided finding them was not a good idea and joined Kathy and Tom outside.
About 15 minutes later the boys returned with two boxes of Cuban cigars. Probably the young mans original intention. Not wanting to miss the last bus back to the marina we headed back to the square. We would have to find La Habana another day.
there are many deaths from falling balconies.
their "bargin" prices for a tour of the city in a classic car. Usually around $50.00
areas in the middle that served as resturants. Tom and I enjoyed lunch in one that was
beautiful.
No comments:
Post a Comment