I'm not a crazy gringo

Oñemoherakuãva: 24.05.2017

My last entry about Cuba is dedicated once again to the Cubans and the Cuban tourist friendship. Even if sometimes with a twinkle in the eye, Cuba and above all its people offer an unforgettable experience, which I would like to dive into again. If only for the sake of friendship that has emerged during the two months, which was a bit complicated but felt everlasting.

Why do you choose your clothes carefully before the trip? That's why!

I finally found my hat. After I finally got rid of my 'I reveal myself as a tourist straw hat', the search for a suitable headwear was as easy as searching for Swiss cheese in the Peruvian highlands. And then. After one and a half months of searching. In a small sports shop, well actually the only one in Camagüey....

Like the holy grail itself, the object of desire shone at me. A shapely Nike hat without glitter or revolutionary stars, Cuban flag or outer colors in wonderful military green, almost matching my head shape, I lifted it onto my head like Arthur drew the sword from the stone. That's about how I felt.

And now it's time for the topic of sales stands. Oh yeah and....the guys behind them.


Hey gringo! The friendly salesman on the street still wanted to sell me a taxi even after passing by five times within 15 minutes, and the nice bus driver between the ticket control wanted to arrange accommodation for me.


Ahh and the funny salesman game:

hey gringo!

Hat? No thanks.

Cigars? No.

Rum? Also no.

Pineapple? Uhh..no.

Taxi? What...Really?! If I had wanted to buy a horse, he would have sold me one.


Coffee seller in Viñales
Coffee seller in Viñales with color-coordinated hat


Tourist sellers in Cuba, a love story:

Let's be honest, I've met street vendors and traders many times before. But the Cubans by far have the greatest ability to sell water as wine with their charm. Small scams are routine, unless you, like me of course, look like a Cuban or speak like one. After the first Spanish word, I'm usually so exposed. Either you get really annoyed or you take it easy and try not to lose too much money.

The horse ride in Viñales with truly breathtaking scenery is immediately used for a coffee tour in the truest sense. Riding and at the same time cigar, coffee and of course rum tasting. So far so good, if it hadn't been for the previously agreed price for the transport to the ranch and the horseback riding and the surprise that the return journey home with the same taxi was not included. At least the walk home wasn't far.


Cigar seller in Viñales
Cigar seller in Viñales. John Wayne show for free. It worked. The two girls who were with us bought cigars for 60 euros, even though his comparisons of women and cigars were only funny to the men.

Also funny. The supermarket near our casa in Havana had two cash registers. The tourist cash register, to which I was sent repeatedly despite consistently adopting the Cuban style (clothes that are slightly too loose, hat and slow pace), only accepted payment in CUC and consistently got it so wrong. The receipt machine didn't work and when calculating afterwards, one CUC is missing almost as surely as day and night. And even the surprised face of the same cashier when you address her slightly cursing is less credible after the tenth time.


Collective taxi from el flaco (the skinny) who drove us from Viñales to Havana with German party music.
Collective taxi from el flaco (the skinny) who drove us from Viñales to Havana with German party music.

In addition to the small scams and the attempt to make life difficult for tourists with the foreign currency, the Cubans are as helpful and hospitable as in many other countries.

There is:
The housekeeper from Cienfuegos, who welcomed us home after every excursion with free chocolate ice cream or picked up and washed our laundry from the bed.

Then the host in Havana, who also provided us with Kubalibre for free and gave us a seat on his couch with music, which he simply put on the street because the climate there was more pleasant.

The two casa owners who welcomed us as old friends during our last stay in Boca de Camarioca, or the couple in Bayamo who spent half the night with us at the street festival.

Finally, a few impressions from this wonderful and equally astonishing country. Hasta pronto Cuba!

Breakfast in Viñales. Incredibly diverse and delicious.
Breakfast in Viñales. Incredibly diverse and delicious.

Kaffeecito in a street café in Havana.
Kaffeecito in a street café in Havana. Remedy for Cubalibre-filled nights the morning after.

Noda and Marcia in Boca. Hospitality that turned into friendship.
Noda and Marcia at Casa Noda in Boca de Camarioca. Hospitality that turned into friendship and the finest lobster.

Evening in Havana taken during a birthday party.
Evening in Havana taken during a birthday party.

Our taxi driver and our personal guide who claimed to know the way and still got lost regularly, who took us to a pond full of drunk Cubans. Almost for free.
Our taxi driver and our personal guide, both of whom claimed to know the way and got lost regularly, took us to a bathing pool full of drunk Cubans. Almost for free. Bathing with singing drunken caballeros in the pond...priceless.

Capote. Master of Cubalibres and living hospitality.
Capote. Master of Cuba Libres and living hospitality at Casa Cubalibre in Havana and an ardent and suffering fan of Real Madrid (By the way, just like almost all male Cubans)

My shapely tourist straw hat
My shapely tourist straw hat

Powernap
Powernap

I
I'm only writing this once! Cute!

Horses, horses, and more horses. If horses ever conquer the world, they
Horses, horses, and more horses. If horses ever conquer the world, they'll start in Viñales

Far far away
Far far away
Fisherman in Playa Larga
Fisherman in Playa Larga

Nomen est omen
Nomen est omen








Mbohovái

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