Day 10: Heading South from Matanzas

I had a great dinner last night. Spaghetti with tuna. It was quite delicious and with bottled water only $5.25. I've learned that many places especially on the little towns I'm passing through are overcharging me for drinks. And they're still cheap at $0.50 for water or soda. Locals pay $0.08. But that's okay. They need the money.

I tried to get and early start this morning but didn't hit the road until 8:45. I was up at 6:30! But when I went upstairs to the terrace for breakfast I'm at the American woman and her Canadian boyfriend. When they went and sat at another table I asked him if they join me, I really would enjoy being able to speak English with someone. So they did! And that's why I was late getting out of there.






It felt good to be back on the road especially once I was out in the country. I find the cities here very noisy…trucks and motorbikes and beeping. The country roads are much more pleasant although today was full of trucks and lots of horses and carts. I see so much stuff during the day and by the end of the day I can't remember any of it. Today was one of those days. But I do remember is having intestinal issue and no place to go. Even though I'm in the country there seems to be people, someone in sight, everywhere. And there was only pastureland and no woods to go in. Even though I'm in the country there seems to be someone everywhere. And there was only pastureland and no woods to go in. I was getting desperate! I hope this isn't too much information, but I pulled into a cement covered bus stop waiting area. Again remember I'm in the country. So I turned Blaze sideways to block the view and pulled out my little pot and a plastic bag did my camping trick. Thank goodness I've perfected that! I really didn't want to be seen squatting out in the fields by the cars and trucks going by. I have not seen a public bathroom or the sign for one anywhere. And the towns I'm going through don't even have restaurants...they just have food counters out a doorway. I felt better and so I don't think it was the start of a bug. Probably too much orange soda:). Trials and tribulations of being homeless and not wishing to offend anyone.







I got my share of sun today even with a jacket on and capris. Tonight I have chills in my tent. I'm not sure how I'm going to manage more sun tomorrow. Sunscreen everywhere and the jacket and capris on first thing in the morning. I'm getting burned even through my clothing.

One thing that's really bothering me here is how abused the horses are. They are out trotting long distances in the hot sun often being whipped or hit with a stick. They are left to stand in the sun with their harness and buggy attached. I don't mind that they have to work for their keep but I wish they were cared for better. Today a horse was really bothered by my flags and my bike and didn't want to come close. I moved way off the road took my flags down but that didn't seem to help. The young man continue to thrash the horse with a big stick trying to bang his legs in the horse just did not want to go forward. I kept saying "be gentle" and covering my eyes. We finally got out of the cart and went to the horses head and lead him past me. I was sick I caused him to be whipped. He was just afraid. The dogs here also look poorly cared for and often mangy. I also noticed when I was at someone's house and went to pet the dog that I was told "no don't do that". So animals are treated differently here and some of that I don't like.

I'm camped tonight in among some trees and everyone knows I'm here. But that's a good thing. I don't think anyone will bother me tonight. I'm pretty bushed although finally feeling warm. I have to figure out something to eat for dinner. Everything has been really amazing except the food and the sun. It's Friday night let's see if things quiet down. The horses are still trotting up and down the road. I feel like I'm a bit in Amish country!!

i just remembered something that happened today that I wanted to share. I saw an organic farm. I recognized it by the word "Organopornica" on a sign. So I turned around and went back. They spoke a little English and I got some plantains to sample and take with me. Beautiful gardens! They sell they're produce in Matanzas.



What a beautiful sight!



Lovely woman who work on the organic farm



Plantains they gave me!



There is nothing that compares to food raised organically and received right from the farm. The best flavor ever!!


Live YOUR dream,

BagLady

Day 9: Rest Day in Matanzas

I didn't plan on taking a day off, it just happened. I guess I just needed a day out of the sun and time to walk around this city. I was told last night that all the rooms are full because of all the tourists walking around the city today I didn't see any of them. I'm still having a hard time finding food. Often times it's sold over a counter in a little window of a building and it just makes me nervous that I'm going to get sick. I'm probably going to get sick from the water anyway since I haven't been filtering it. I did buy some tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a pineapple from a little stand today...$0.24 That's to take with me on the road tomorrow. 




A store selling some goods and cleaning supplies. They seem to sell whatever they can get their hands on.




Down on the water front.



Found some fabulous statues down by the water.











In my tour of the city today I saw all the bridges that the town is known for, I also saw all the garbage it's washed ashore down by the water. Disgusting! It was a lovely promenade along one of the rivers with metal sculptures lining the sidewalk (see photos above) and classical music being played by a piano out one of the windows. That was a special moment!

After coming back to my room to cool off in the air conditioning I think I'm going to venture out to find some lunch. 


Im sitting in Plaza de la Libertad watching the world go by. There are young girls in their school uniforms of white blouses and cranberry short skirts; lots of people chatting in groups on every street; buses, taxis, noisy and smokey motorcycles; people walking with bundles; and others like me finding a shady bench to sit on. There's 6 young adults across from me all with grey shirts on who came out of a building carrying a plastic cups of food. It looks like cole slaw, but I don't really have a clue. So many questions. So few answers. 


It's cloudy now and that's a reprieve. The sun is brutal even at 9 am. I sure hope there are shade trees along my route south these next few days.

I went looking for lunch and I found boxed mango juice. Oh my, can Del Monte put any more sugar in there?!?! I couldn't finish it. I think I just need some orange soda...not as sweet and I like the fizz in this heat. Guess I lost my appetite but I should scope out someplace for dinner.

Just hanging out in Matanzas.

Store with the most food I'd seen. Littke did I know that I'd never find this same food again the rest of the month.



Live YOUR dream,

BagLady