I mentioned we extended our stay in Cienfuegos since we couldn't get to Vinales earlier. I think that worked out well. We really liked Cienfuegos a lot. The people were nicer, the city was cleaner and there were less people. In Cienfuegos people will step out of your way if you want to take a photo of their car. In Havana they will ask you for a dollar if you want to take a picture of their car.
Not to mention Our hosts were great. Camilo and Daisy. Camilo and Mark became BFF's. Camilo actually said he was really going to miss us when we left. They just started their "casa particular" business about 4 months ago and we were the first people from the US to stay with them.
We spent the day walking through town. Our hosts asked if we would like to join them for dinner so we said sure. We had learned the day before that Camilo's specialty drink is mojito. So we bought a bottle of rum for our contribution. And he did make great mojito's for us. Daisy fixed a delicious soup and they had salad and chicken and rice. It was really good. All in all we had a great night together. Mark gave them tips on how technology could make their biz better and I gave marketing tips on how to make it better.
Mark loves to talk to the locals but you have to watch him like a 5 year old. Yesterday we were at the town square and hanging out. This young guy, nicely dressed and spoke decent English started telling Mark his life story. He's a history professor at the university and has the day off. He said it was his birthday and was drinking what appeared to be rum from a small carton. (Think slightly larger than a single serve milk carton). He then tells Mark "here have a sip". I turned and watched like there is no way you are taking a drink of that. Mark did say no thanks, even after the guy pushed a number of times. He then asked Mark for money. He said they have been saving for a month to buy a bottle of frying oil. Later we were in a store buying water and saw that a bottle of oil was $28!!! Yet you can buy a nice bottle of rum for $5!
Mark's not feeling well today. Camilo took him to the pharmacy this morning before we left for the ride back to Havana. Daisy told him he just needed s shot of rum with a little honey and squeeze of lime and he would be fine. She said they don't have much medicine here - they use mostly natural remedies. Like the honey, rum and lime and such.
It's still amazing to me how back in time they really live here. They still use pay phones a lot! They are everywhere and people are using them. I walked by a house today and they were watching the TV cartoon Yogi Bear.
Well Mark is still sick. It's now 6:00 and he's been sleeping since we arrived at noon. I went to a little restaurant not too far from where we're staying to eat and finish this email. Maybe it's a coincidence but yesterday in Cienfuegos they fumigated twice for the Zika virus. They are so freaked out about it here that they do these fumigations that were pretty nasty and really strong.
Anyway, much love to all. I'm guessing there won't be a blog post from Mark today. We are suppose to leave at 8:00 am for Vinales. We will see how that goes. It's a shared 2 hour cab ride so I'm pretty sure the other people won't be happy riding with Mark if he's still this sick.
Sent from my iPhone
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