Leaving a snowy Pacific North West this week

More Cuba (before More Mexico)

Following our excursion to Sancti Spiritus, we returned to join Lilliety's family for a meal the day before leaving.  Lillietty surprised us with her new four year old daughter, and her now 6 ' tall son studying medicine.  It is a joy to stay in touch and find our connection and
history still makes us smile.

Lilliety has been pivotal in many of our adventures in Cuba, she is one of those people who we trust and know will distribute what we bring to others in need.  We hope she can read this in the coming months as she is studying hotel management and will have access to a computer soon, this is rare for most folks in Cuba at this time.

More Beauty in the Mountains near Trinidad, Cuba

Lynda and I enjoyed having a guide show us the trail this time....and what a gorgeous trail this time of year, abundant with colour, flowers, lizards, coffee beans, guava plants and raging waterfalls to swim beneath.

Pictures tell the story, revisiting Cuba

The gentle dancing man was at the Casa de la Trova in Trinidad. He remembered Ivan and is dancing with Lynda. 

I forgot how much I love the uninhibited approach to art, dance, music, theatre and movement.  Although Cuba once again faces adversity, their talent still shines through.

A peek into Cuba

We enjoyed a performance of the "new" Buena Vista Social Club. It took place at "Las Americas" and only one of the "founding fathers" was present but a new group of great young musicians keep this group playing a mixture of jazz and afro/cuban music.

Ivan, Lynda and Evi slip into Cuba between Hurricanes

Ivan, Lynda and I headed to Cuba for two weeks in early October to try and find our dear friend, and bring down some aid during yet another difficult period.  Our Cuban friend Lilliety distributed the medical aid (not much) in Mantanzas, and we personally visited some schools and hospitals en route to Sancti Spiritus.  It was wonderful to be in Cuba again but the serious shortages of everything there are daunting.

Upon our arrival, Ivan asked the bus driver if he knew Lillietty (a friend we made 11 years ago) and the same night we received a phone call from her.  We had a very emotional reunion the next day where she works as a tour guide. We enjoyed lunch with her family on the Sunday before departing.

Lilliety arranged things so we could drive to Sancti Spiritus and spend 6 days at the Ancon.

It was great to show Lynda one of my favourite countries.  We were an excellent travelling trio, and did more than I ever have in such a short time in Cuba.

Lynda and I hiked up in the jungle on the Cuban Sierra del Escambray  (Cuba's second largest mountain range) with a young female guide who showed us the flora and fauna lovingly as she had grown up near Toppes Collantes.

Ivan did a shallow dive with Leo, the dive master and was very pleased.  We lucked out with mostly sunny weather in between a few hours of clouds and overcast weather.  Ivan is now busily packing his underwater film apparatus to be sent to Leo via a BC traveler. Word of mouth is so effective in Cuba, one wonders why we are so dependent on the internet here?

While visiting Sancit Spiritus we stopped at the hospital, and two schools off the beaten path where we happily gave away the things brought (considered strict weight regulations for baggage). 

This trip was not planned, but spurred on by the great travel prices during Hurricane Season.

Is the Blog working

Each season I have to test my blogging and that is what I am doing today.  We are busy getting the house ready for winter so our tenants can "keep the home fires burning".  The "Cedar Rose", a Bed and Breakfast we started last season was a success though the season started late and our warm summer was short.  We hope to see if flourish even more next season, late spring and summer.

My friend Sonia who "winter's over" in Mexico is already at Roca Azul.  She encouraged us to try the Bed and Breakfast concept.  She was our mentor and I look forward to telling her all about it. She has already arrived at Roca Azul, near Jocotepec following a long drive.

Once I am sure this is up and running I will post our cell phone numbers etc. when we arrive in Mexico during early December. We plan to sleep near the Guadalajara airport Dec. 1 and head to our casita Dec. 2.  Once again we will rent a car from Mark (he calls them "well maintained but not new!" cars. They are certainly not new, but the right price!

He has been great to deal with and having a vehicle means we can transport water, food and minimize walking for Ivan.  Mark will pick us up on Dec. 2.

This year we already have one friend joining us in Jan. for 3  weeks, my hike scout partner and other possible visitors.

I am hoping to continue studying Spanish and Ivan has various projects.
The endless sunshine and more time might allow a small vegetable garden this season.

We are preparing to return to Mexico

We are preparing to return to Roca Azul for our third stay at Dona's casita. We are delighted her family decided not to sell this casita we have grown fond of, and look forward to seeing friends, the markets and colourful life Mexico provides.