Tropical Storm

We spent the best part of the day touring Havana on our own.  The only transport we used was shanks mare and a small, motorized three-wheeled vehicle.  It seemed a bit risky, being quite open to the elements.  And, I noticed the driver wore a helmet and we were not offered one – just a grab-bar, to keep from flying out.  But, I recommend this as a great way to see things –a fast, yet unobstructed  view of the streetscape.

After lunch, we returned to the Nacional for a swim and then a tour of the hotel – very historic and just about every celebrity you can name and many folks from the arts have stayed here. The Revolution figures into just about every serious conversation and the Nacional is fiercely Cuban in its identity.

The storm that has hit has to be mentioned.  I have never heard such thunderous thunder nor seen such luminous lightening.  There have been direct lightening strikes on our hotel and the noise is like end-of-the-world stuff.  Sadly, we have since learned that two people in our neighbourhood were killed by lightening strikes.  In 2 and half hours, it rained 15 centimetres.  Even by Havana standards, this is extreme.

Havana Day One

We made it.  Arriving at Havana airport was a bit chaotic with many line-ups, stop-and-start luggage rigmarole, currency exchange and finally a search for the transport man, who was to be dressed in red, but appeared entirely clothed in green

We are staying at Hotel Nacional, a neo-colonial place, where Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill stayed –but not all together.  We are in Room 567, and a little plaque tells us Tennessee Williams once stayed in Room 570.

Today, we swam in the pool twice (it is VERY warm-the weather,not the pool)), went on a bus and walking tour of Havana and we are pooped. 

LAST DAY IN ONTARIO

It’s a small world.  Here I am, in Waterloo Ontario, on my way to Cuba.  And, I just received an e-mail from Margaret (a stranger, but also a relation) in Australia, about a notice I posted, in 2010, on an English genealogy website, requesting information about my grandmother and grandfather, who married in Crewe, UK.  Time and space collide!

Apart from visiting umpteen relatives, we found time to visit the St. Jacob’s Farmers market, complete with bonnets, buggies and a horse auction.

Next, we head for Havana.

IT'S ALL RELATIVE

The extended, and extensive Koch family has made Kitchener-Waterloo its home for five generations.  Only Doug and his brother Cam have dared to spoil this record, by moving to BC and Pennsylvania respectively. This week, we have committed to focus on folks, especially  those related: tea with Larry(friend but like family)  at Café O; a burger at the Harmony Lunch café, with cousins Bob and Karen; late this afternoon, a drive up to Newmarket to dine with nephew Jeff and wife Jenn; tomorrow, another visit with Bob & Karen, en route to market; then back to Carol's to wine & dine with cousin Susan.  Whew..this is the mothership of reunion!  We may never make to Cuba.  There are weight restrictions - and I don't mean our bags.

HUMMING SNOWY IRVING BERLIN TUNES

We have arrived!  No colourful stories about air travel to report.  It was all achingly normal.
But...the good news is that my allergies have disappeared.  It's a miracle. Well, maybe not a bone fide revelatory phenomenon.   This situation is explainable.  The environment has  no pollen. No flowers, no leaves, no grass.  Nothing green.  We drove from Toronto in a blinding snowstorm,.  I'm not kidding about this.  And we awoke to a winter wonderland.  Mind you, I hear it is only 6C in Victoria.  I shall not be smug.

GARDENING

Today, I planted geraniums and onion sets.  This ensures that we will come back.  In fact, gardening is everything about returning.  It's about the future. It's about reunion.
What will I miss whilst away, I wonder.? Well, the garden of course. Family and  Friends - goes without saying. Television -I'm an addict.  Ian Hanomansing and CBC news, so earnest, so balanced, so underfunded.. And my IPad!,

GETTING READY

Well, we are not exactly covering Cuba yet.   We will start with Waterloo, Ontario.  Almost the opposite of Cuba : cold, capitalist, and German. Daily, I consult the weather on the Internet and we must prepare for temperatures from 10 C to 34F. I, for one, do not condone over-packing, but I foresee a suitcase filled with everything from long johns to bathing suits. Neither is flattering
when you are 64!