Eso es Cuba

Day three in Havana and only mostly melted. Unless I find a faster internet connection, pictures will not be posted.

The accent here is going to take me a while to understand. Some people are easier to comprehend than others, but it’s even harder to understand than the Spanish accent. They drop syllables, letters and the intonations are different. I’ll get it soon, but WHOA.

Today, after a breaking our fast together, we made our way downtown to find a place with WIFI. Luckily, the place that was recommended to us was a gorgeous air-conditioned hotel. We got there by maquina, which are collective taxis that have routes throughout the city. It costs 10 pesos per person to hop in and out of the taxi. 1 CAD = 1 CUC = 24 pesos. This dual money system will take me a while to get used to as well. Paying for things in moneda nacional is much less expensive and it makes us feel like we belong a little more to pay in pesos, rather than just tourist dollars (CUCs).

After finding our way back by maquina as well, we met up with our project coordinator and caught up in our lovely air-conditioned apartment. Our intention was to have a minimal amount of meltage today. The four of us were ravenous after touching base with J so we headed up the street and found a tiny little Cafeteria that makes pretty decent pizzas for 10-12 pesos. People just turn the front of their house into a street-side business. It’s incredible. Our second night here, we went to eat at a resto that turns into a restaurant every night and turns back into a home at the end of every night.

Everyone ekes out a living any way possible here.

After satiating our appetites and thirst, we went looking for a place that could take our pictures for our immigration cards. We were sent to a place called “Foto Criss!” When I saw the sign, I cracked up, followed by the two other Quebecers. The woman took very professional pictures of our red sweaty faces.

We will go pick those up later this evening. PV found out about a café/bar that has a debate every last Thursday of the month so we planned to meet J there later.