I'm spooking the horses. Afraid someone is going to get hurt. I stop and stay still. Then if necessary I take down my flags.
Well they don't make these ultralight umbrellas like they used to. My old GoLite was indestructible. Wind turned it inside out or blew it sideways and it never broke a spoke. My new one that I thought was the same has broken 3 spines already...2 since getting to Cuba. Not the same strong material. I'm not happy. The sun is brutal here. I'm sweating my pants off with
a jacket and pants on. But my umbrella is on its last legs and I'll want it, I think, when it rains.
Food is an issue. Not finding anything in the government stores to eat. Last night I ate some tofu that I brought and some cookies. Today more tofu and an orange soda because it was cold. Does that qualify as fruit? I'm back on the Highway Via Blanca and off the back roads. I hope to find some food. Bread and meat maybe all I can get. Tonight Matanzas and I'll eat there!
It's 1 o'clock and I've gone only 12 miles. Lots of stopping when I find a spot of shade. I found a little outdoor shaded restaurant. Looks Italian with the wine bottles on the red tablecloths. I ordered something shrimp but the price is $6 so it's expensive for Cuba. Better be good! I'm hungry!!! Oh my! It's beautiful! Garlic grilled shrimp, a pile of rice, something I think is plantains, a slice of tomato with shredded cabbage on it. Delicious!
Yum!
Blaze in the shade
Sweet restaurant because I'm on a major roadway.
I pushed on after lunch into a very old city with narrow streets and my gps deciding to act up. I had stopped to read some notes about the city and figure out where I would head. I decided I'd head towards the only hotel in town and see if I could find a Casa particulare.
A bridge coming into Matanzas
View up the river.
Going up this narrow street I spotted a hostel so decided to stop. A woman told me it was full but she would see if the owner could find me a place. Right now I'm sitting in the most beautiful courtyard sipping fresh pineapple juice, with the kitchen, dining, everything outside and the rooms opening into it.
Feels very Mexican. Through much difficulty on my part I understand that the owner is calling around town to find me a room. She's going through a stack of business cards an inch thick. I finally understand she has a place and something will happen in an hour. Bits and pieces are understood.
Then this young man shows up on a bike and I'm to follow him. His English is pretty good. That helps. So, off we go. And he gets to see and hear all the attention I get. He's laughing! We're quite a spectacle as I follow him through the city. This hostel is near the city center and quite nice although not as lovely as the other. My room is in the back. Nothing special but has a/c. Because there are no outside windows:(.
My room
The courtyard...I'm at the back
The kitchen area.
After getting Blaze settled into the garage and me a shower, I head down to the town Plaza where there is WiFi. I want to try uploading blog posts. Big mistake. They load without pictures. Argh!!!! That's it. I'm not uploading any more until I get this figured out. I don't do all this work just to have it not load. The pictures are a big part of the story here.
I found a "supermarket". Disappointment. Some crunchy something in bags, canned milk and powered milk, canned fruit, bottled mushrooms and canned olives, canned peas and canned corn, cookies, and Pringles. Also lots of umbrella strollers and cleaning supplies...and alcohol! Some hair products and deodorant. I walk out with canned olives, canned pineapple, cookies, and Pringles...$14. For real! Not cheap at the supermarket.
Then off for some pizza for $4 at a restaurant. Every time I order cold water lately they pour it. It's not always bottled and I don't carry my filter with me. Thirst is really bad here. I'm thirsty all the time and I don't like the taste of any of the water. Even the bottled water. I think that's why am so thirsty :-) I've gotten to drinking orange soda, even though it's full of sugar. It tastes good and gives me energy.
Isn't he a ham?!?
The street of my hostel.
The town square
Veggies sold from the cart.
Store with anything you might need.
Love the flag print. Saw it a lot.
Another corner of the town square.
Fast food restaurant
Live YOUR dream,
BagLady
