Had a day of nothing as we were pretty tired. Slept late, had breakfast and lazed around the casa waiting for our 12:30 taxi pickup. Made our way out to the bus station and checked in, then more waiting around for the bus, which was only 20 minutes late……….trust me a record in Cuba. Hopped on the bus and set of for Vineless via Pina del Rio. Everything you read about the Viazul mentions how cold the busses are……..this blog / diary is no exception, they are cold, wear long pants and long sleeves…….take a sarong for warmth, you’ve been warned.We were now on what I am calling the “underground railroad” of Casa owners. We just ask our current casa to arrange our next casa. Sure we are probably paying a bit more, but casas live and die by referrals so I think it is a safe bet you will end up somewhere pretty good. We arrived at the bus station where the bus was surrounded on all sides by desperate casa owners trying to snag the few touristas on the bus. There are 270 separate casas in Vineless, so in the low season lets just say competition is not only fierce but cut-throat, I was shoved out of the way from getting my bags by a guy with a baby, who had pushed away a woman that was trying to thrust a business card into my face……..even though we could see our casa owners with a big sign containing our names. The great thing about the Viazul is that the bags are well guarded and you cant get yours until you present your baggage receipt………nice one Cuba.
We met our casa owners, Isabelle and Candido. They like Ana y Surama in La Habana could also not pronounce Kirk………but could pronounce Alexander……..this is my adopted name in Cuba………Alexander y Tania. Everyone loves Tanya, as there was a Tania fighting with the Guerrillas during the revolution, must read up on her when we get back.
After a short walk we arrived at the casa, stowed our gear and were made comfortable in the dining room. We both asked for water……which wasn’t cold, however the beer was (god love Cuban hospitality) and no one would hear of us drinking room temp bottled water……which only tastes decent icy cold anyway, so a few beers were in order. Whilst waiting in the dining room we could hear the sounds of roosters, chickens and the desperate sounds of struggle next door. There were many squeals and screams coming from the neighbours pig……..Tans was not in a good way as she was convinced pork……fresh pork was going to get served up for dinner. We were soon ushered out to the veranda, where I was to learn a new word Tranquillo……i.e. tranquil, which it was. The tranquillity was briefly interrupted when over the rim of my Cuba libre I spied a defeated looking, yet very much alive pig being pushed down the street in a wheelbarrow all trussed up. With a few feeble grunts he was out of site. Happily we had fried chicken that night.
Did I mention the food. It’s like being held hostage and force fed. Tonight’s spread consisted of white bean and sweet potato soup (amazing, there was enough for 3 bowls each, had 2), the stock standard ensalata Cuban consisting of tomato’s, cucumber, cabbage, and preserved beans, enough rice for 6 people, 3 – 4 plates of fried starchy things and 1/2 a fried chicken each……..complete with a Cerveca Crystal……..oh and did I mention the plate of fruit each………bloody fruit, I can’t look at fruit.
