Day 21 - Marina Hemingway - Havana Cuba
Magic Friday
Phil, Di and Annelise
Sat 15 Apr 2017 21:51
Another trip in town with friends from Black Swan - we were to try the bus route but having got the departure time wrong - it was back to taxis. This time picking up one from the street - a lot cheaper than marina pre-arranged! Another quiet day on the road due to the Easter weekend.
Intending to go the flea market - but not knowing exactly where it was made the destination discussion with the taxi driver a little difficult! In the end we settled for the artists street near Parque Central. Interesting was it was not only local artists and lace makers, but also a place where one could sell houses, cars, rent room, arrange (locals only) travel - all by notices pined to the tree lined avenue!
Walking further on - we could not find the "flea market" - so deciding to take a bicyclette ride to the Plaza de San Francisco. Unfortunately there was a mix up on the total fare agreed and the biker announced he could not take us closer than 3-4 blocks to the Plaza due to police restrictions. A little altercation over the fare ended with a discussion with the local police officer!! Naturally the officer sided with the local - not at all interested in our side of the story!! So, deciding it was better to settle than face further issues at the police station - especially when the words "immigracion" were mentioned!! Well, a little excitement is good for the stories back home!!
Back to the Plaza Vieja for a delightful lunch on a balcony overlooking he square and a few beers to re-group and search again for the flea market. Luckily a Norwegian tourist on the next table knew fo the place - directions given - we set off again for the market.
Found at last! What a place. Store upon store upon store of tourist gifts - after 5 minutes it was clear everything as the same and quite high priced. We settled on a t-shirt and called it a day!
Phil and Di
