23.02.2020 Cienfuegos

23.02.2020 Cienfuegos

Before leaving the guesthouse, we take a walk along the beach, see raked sections of the beach, and the coconut palms standing on the beach. Here we should always keep a respectful distance, as more people worldwide die from falling coconuts than from being eaten by crocodiles or sharks. Funny is the proud Cuban car owner who polishes his vintage car not far from the beach, according to our standards.

Even more remarkable are small protective bunkers with loopholes on the beach, which must date back to before the invasion of exiled Cubans in 1961. We saw hundreds of such parts in Albania. Did Fidel take a cue from Enver Hoxha, the former Albanian party leader? And so is the saying to be understood, learn from Albania, means learn to win. (Only in the GDR it was said, learn from the Soviet Union, means learn to win)

It is only a good hour's drive to the next town of Cienfuegos. Initially, right by the sea, still the Bay of Pigs, and then through bushland.

Near the city, which has a population of 123,000, is the ruin of the only nuclear power plant, which was not completed due to lack of foreign exchange.

Today is Sunday and it seems that at least half of the residents are walking around the streets and squares, sitting in parks, listening to music, or riding loud mopeds through the town.

For the first time, we can't immediately check into our hotel room, so we explore the town, stopping or sitting here and there, and watching the hustle and bustle. Remarkable are overweight men and sturdy women in very skimpy outfits.