The winter's heat. Cuban chronicles. Day 2.

Today we got up early because we arranged breakfast for 8 am with Ariel. We talked a lot about life in Cuba, life in general, with a lot of food on our table.

We went once again to the crafts market to get some hats because in spite of being in winter we're still in the Caribbean. Now I got myself a commander hat, just like the one Che Guevara used to wear, so be careful with me, ok?

A ride in cocotaxi.

There, we took a cocotaxi to the Capitol for 8 CUC, which we found a little bit expensive comparing to the rates we had been given the past few rides. However, we wanted to take one and the plan for the day was to walk around the centric area of Havana. After a short while of walking we stopped at a park because of the heat and asked a man if he knew if there was a close enough beach we could go to and he not only recommended a place called Guanabo but he also indicated where we could catch a taxi and get a good deal. The taxi part was fine but the beach was absoluteley not. Who would have thought that there could be a bad beach at Cuba! The shore was crowded with rocks and logs that made entering the sea impossible. After, someone told us that the beach was in those conditions because it was winter, but that it was ok and safe during the summer. Over there, a lady recommended us to go to Santa María del Mar, about 3 miles in direction to Havana and there we went. Now we're in paradise. The sea is so turquoise that I thought that tone only existed in postprod. I collected all kinds of Caribbean seashells and even a tiny heart-shaped rock.

A typical postcard from Havana, though with some details because of the reparations.

If this isn't paradise, it looks a lot like it.

This was the time of our ethical debate of the day. On our way to the beach, we had arranged with the taxi driver that he would pick us up in the same spot he had left us at 5 pm. So, in order to keep our word we had to take another taxi back to Guanabo. I put my foot down, I didn't mind spending a few bucks, I didn't want to fail the driver. Thankfully, my dad and his girlfriend listened to me, and at 5 pm, Michael and his green Wheelie appeared in the main street of Guanabo, just like he promised. I'm glad we didn't act as Uruguayans.

Mojitos? Anyone?

After a shower, it was time to do get some night life. First stop, La Bodeguita. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's mojitos and music time. Also, tonight was the turn of a restaurant called "La Imprenta" (the press) where I loved the decoration, but not so much the food, specially because half of what appeared in the menu wasn't available. So, I ended up having dinner in the same place as the night before. More cuba libres, more good music...but not as much as the band from the night before.

*You can read the original version of this post here.