Friday 12 Feb 2010 Marina Hemingway Cuba
The EJ's Voyage
Mike Everton-Jones
Fri 12 Feb 2010 22:47
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Great day yesterday. We went off to explore the
West of the island. We drove to Pinar Del Rio which is the tobacco region and
visited the cigar factory where they manufacture Romeo & Juliet and Trinidad
cigars. Very interesting visit. Such a skilful and painstakingly long process!
Each worker has to make 120 cigars a day. Working condition are not
exactly comfortable leaving the workers with neck and upper back problems as
well as forearms and hands. Their hands movements are extremely fast and
precise. Actually beautiful to watch. We had lunch in a paladar or small
family-run restaurant.Red snapper, raw cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers,
fried plantain and rice. Nothing fantastic but eatable.
We then drove on to Vinales. The scenery was
amazing. Huge rock formations in a big valley. We went down a cave called the
Indian Cave. After 15 minutes walk you get down to the river inside the cave,
jump on a boat and make your way out. Good fun.
The poverty of the countryside is evident. But what
is surprising is that people all look well dressed, healthy and even happy on
the surface but that's probably because of their jolly nature. Houses are small
and rudimentary. Quite a lot of shacks as well. When they need to go from one
place to another they just stand on the road until a car stops to give them a
lift and in some cases this can be a very long wait as they are a lot of them
wanting a lift. Still a lot of horses and carriage on the road and even cattle
drawn carriages, horseback riders. Of course, there are not that many cars on
the roads but still, quite an unusual mix for us.
From what we gathered Cubans are unsurprisingly not
happy with their lot. Everything is expensive for them to buy from food to
clothing to everything really! And that's is when there is actually something on
the shop shelves to purchase. Life is hard. They are Internet access points in
the big hotels and towns but roaming is limited. Very few Cubans can afford
going online at all.
We have met a few other yachties here in Marina
Hemingway and we all go out tonight to a BBQ at the Havana Yacht Club here in
the marina. The wind is blowing very hard today so let's hope that it will be
alright for the BBQ!
Amongst the people we have met is this Australian
guy we first met in Charleston! He bought his boat in the USA and is
sailing it back to Australia and he asked if we could sail together until
we get to the South side of the island. Could be fun.
Our starboard electric winch is not working! Mike
has emailed Bamar so hope we will get help into determining what's wrong and
then fixing it. We will probably have to wait until we get to Caymans.
Hot and sunny but windy. At the moment it looks
like the next weather window to carry on our journey will be
Monday.
Love
Catherine and Mike
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