3.9 - ¿DONDE ESTA MI AUTO?

She landed at Jose Marti 

La Habana she did plan to see

But first there came passports

And check-in’s of all sorts

So she sighed “what will be, will be”

Ahhhh Nantucket, where are you… in retirement we hope, but not the auto rental guys…and yet…

We last saw Chucky loading luggage into his car and hustling to catch up with the now expanded welcome committee, waiting to greet “CUZ”  of Tampa and her crew who finally pass through the gate, a lot faster that Chucky and the Ever Lovely Cuban Lady, and that was fine. 

Of course not before he had confirmed that HAVANA/AUO had Doug’s reservation, which they did… but again… no car yet [reserved for 10AM…W T F.?!?]  Not to worry, we are beginning to really grasp the concept to of CUBAN TIME.

As the Tampa contingent passes through the exit blocked with “Cuban Relatives” anxious to meet incoming family… Our family was nothing but hugs all around. 

And then the question “Did you remember to change your money at the Casa de Cambio before you came out?” to which the answer was…” Uhhhh, No, wait till you hear what went on to distract us.” [more on that later]
Doug wants to start the paper work for the Auto and see if he can work out the deposit, to which the nice guy says,”of course you can change your money here,” until he realizes that Doug has Canadian and the rate he quoted was $USD… Sooooo it’s off to the Casa de Cambio in the Departures section again… and luckily there was no line.  There was also no attendant, 

Uh Oh…. But Chucky spots Miss Slow Counter gabbing with the gift shop crew and gets her back in the booth to do the exchange… which went a lot faster with $CAD than the guy with $USD. 

Now they head back to HAVANA/CAR only to find… Still No car.  Chucky realized at that point that it had just turned “Beer O’Clock” in La Habana Jose Marti Airport and Chuck, Doug, Jake and "CUZ" headed for the closest Cafeteria window and  ordered 4 Bucanero’s - [Muy Frio por favor!].

The Car finally arrives 30 minutes later [hmmmmm 10am reservation – 4PM delivery] Yeah…. Cuban Time.

Now its time to stuff  all the luggage for 6 people into the two cars and still have room for 10 people to cram into the two Renault Circas.  After watching the boys [Jessie and Jake] watching Doug try to get it all into one car, Chucky has already pulled his car up and starts his packing guru moves.  A few shuffles, in and out of the cars, and he is able to literally cram all the bags, etc into both trunks.  Then came the question… “Uhhhhh what about Tia Chela’s  wheelchair???”.

OH S**T.  “how about in the back seat?” – Nope, “how about in the back between the front seats?” Uhhhhh that would be a No.

All the while… a Taxi driver is standing off to the side grinning and circling the car… grinning and finally.

“Ahhhh, senior, esta no possible-  TAXI?.” Pointing to the van he had quietly crept up to the scene of the BIG PACK.  Chucky takes one look at him… at the Anxious “CUZ”, at the tired Cuban Lady and says… ‘SI, Como No?’ [Why Not?] 

So Cuban Lady, “CUZ” of Tampa and “CUZ” of Cuba all climb into the taxi as the wheelchair is loaded and take off with “CUZ”  of Cuba giving directions.  Fortunately “CUZ’s” husband Ramon had latched onto Chucky and guided them out of the Airport lot and onto the route to La Habana.  Chucky’s Mario Andretti imitation notwithstanding, they finally caught up with the runaway Taxi… [Actually nearly rear-ending it at a well hidden red light] and arrive without further incident at the house of Casa Maria la China [pronounced La CHEENA- more about the name later]

Safely in their lair for the next week, they quickly claimed their rooms, dropped luggage and later assembled to plan dinner.

The closing of this day will have to wait… Chucky’s eyes are glazing as it’s at 2AM Monday… make that Tuesday – while writing this and after a moderately eventful day, needs to go saw logs for awhile… Tuesday will be another adventure to experience, and we haven’t even reported the final on Saturday, the Outrageous Sunday and all of Monday.   Ssooooo settle back, this is gonna be another bumpy ride.

Good News - He may have constructed a work around for posting to the blog as well as E-mailing the ***ALERT*** but we wont really know until he can get back to the Hotel Nacional internet lounge to test out the theory.

Until then… Since we’re on the Coast… you can wait with baited breath for another alert and advice if Google Blogspot is still balking at loading on the first try [some will get the breath spelling… others… Woooosh over the head]

HASTA LUEGO,

Uncle Chuck & The Eyes rolling at him about all the rhetoric,

Cuban Lady                              

Ohhh sooo Ready for Hot Salsa, Sweet Plantains, and Fine Aged Rum