3.9 - LA CASA DE MARIA LA CHINA

With feet firmly on the Ground

She wanted to just look around

But “CUZ” had many plans

And we were in her hands

With many adventures to be found

Seems Like Nantucket may not make it to the blog, which is probably a good thing.  Time to finish Saturday and arrival at La Casa de Maria la China [pronounced la cheeena].  Real Name:  Maria R. Lee [yes... part Chinese, hence the nick-name]

55 Linea between M & N streets is quite a lovely little "pension" style house with many rooms on many floors.  In Cuba it is called a Casa Particular [why, I have not idea].  But the most important part, clean, fairly modern and very conveniently located 1 block from the Malecon, 2 blocks from the Hotel Nacional and 10 minutes from anywhere we wanted to go.

 “Other CUZ” of Tampa along with Tia Chela and Chucky and the Cuban Chick got ground floor rooms with separate baths, while “CUZ”  of Tampa and her tribe got a 2^nd floor 2 room apartment with shared Bath, a small kitchen and sitting room.  Perfect.

While our shower left a bit to be desired, the water was hot and the bed a little firm, but most importantly, the hospitality of our Hostess was evident in the excellent manner in which the house was kept.  A large living room on the ground floor was comfortable and would serve as morning coffee and gathering spot for the planning of adventures and entertaining family who had planned to visit.

After getting settled, it was time to take “CUZ” of Cuba and Ramon home to 109 Trocadero between Prado Y Consulato off the Paseo Prado, also called the Paseo de Marti and Paseo de Colon [too many streets have several names which makes for a fun time to find places depending on who you ask]. 

As we approached the turn onto Trocadero with of the Sign "Lido Hotel"--> sparking memories, Illy’s excitement was growing but upon sight of 109 Trocadero the emotion became overwhelming.  Pictures all over, tears flow, and then the climb to the rooftop apartment.

And what a climb.  The marble staircase ends at the second floor.  In days of old, access to the rooftop was via a spiral staircase in the rear of the second floor, but since the house was now divided to a multi-family building, access to the spiral stairs was no longer available.  In Addition the top of the spiral stair supports had long since collapsed,so a rickety, precariously angled metal staircase was fashioned to get up to “CUZ’s” place on the roof..  The Acrophobic Cuban Lady was hyperventilating at the sight and wasn't sure she could make the climb but the need to visit the house of her grandmother where she played as a child was so great that she buckled up, and grimaced her way to the top.

The roof top patio was delightful as was the cute little apartment, with 3 bedrooms [each the size of the average walk-in closet] upstairs.  Hugs and kisses all around and we headed back to collect the family for dinner as it was getting late.

The trip back to 55 Linea was uneventful and then the major conference on where to eat commenced [one of many such conferences to follow for the rest of the stay in Cuba.]  Finally Maria la China was consulted for the closest “Decent” place for a meal and we were directed to La Casona on the street behind the house. 

Organizing even the smallest event with Expedition Montalvo, as our trip has come to be referred to, has become a real challenge and we finally get everyone together, the wheelchair out the door and began the trek on rocky sidewalks to la Casona.

We quickly find that its better to use the street with Tia and finally arrive a lovely converted house to settle in for dinner.  An eclectically decorated place, La Casona's menu was reasonably priced but lacking in serious variety.  Some ordered fish, some ordered a combo, fish, chicken Pork and two tried a roasted pork dish.  being late and hungry, the mealy too waaaaayyyy to long to get out of the kitchen,,, in fits and starts, but finally all were served.

Unfortunately it did not live up to Maria La China's raves, hard Arroz Blanco, Dry Moros Y Christianos [black beans and rice cooked together] uber dry pork and tasteless fish dishes were the low-lights of the meal.  Mojitos not bad, Wine "OK" overall Chucky Rating, 1+ stars.

The trek home, with the wheel chair was fairly uneventful and we all headed for a crash and burn... the trip has pretty much worn us all out.  Chucky of course had to finish GETTING OUTTA CASA D’CHAOS as they wanted to get to the Hotel in the AM Monday to see just what they were up against.

Apparently posting from the Mezzanine of the Hotel Nacional along with the balky Cuban Email system has caused the last two posts to multiply like the cats along the Paseo de Colon so we are waiting to get to better internet connections to continue posting.

Stay tuned... this is REALLY gonna be a Bumpy but fun ride.

Check in and lets us know your thoughts on the trip so far.

HASTA LUEGO,
Uncle Chuck & The Oh So Glad to Be Home in Vedado

Cuban Lady
Sippin' some seriously Fine Aged Rum, Plantanitos, and Cafe con Leche

3.10 - ALMUERZO EN 109 TROCADERO

Now the Cobwebs she did wipe from her Eyes

As from her slumber she arose with deep sighs

“No it wasn’t a dream

I’m in La Habana it seems”

So its time for our girl to arise

No Nantucket, but there have been reports that “Brutha Earl in Seattle” is working diligently to help that along.  Only time will tell if he will be successful, and not be ribald in the attempt.

Sunday came with a bang… welllll maybe a thump…OK  a Grunt - Whatever.  We arose a tad late as the travel day and all the car, taxi, running to Trocadero Chaos pretty much took it out of our erstwhile expedition Montalvo but we had to hustle as “CUZ” of Cuba was planning a luncheon.  Originally she was going to cook at home and bring it to 55 Linea but “CUZ” of Tampa talked her out of that plan since Tia was determined see the old homestead at Trocadero and wasn’t about to let the treacherous stairs deter her, regardless how bad the reports were.

Our Hostess had fresh Café Cubano waiting for us and greeted us with a big smile.  Nothing to nibble on but not to worry we'll grab something on the way to 109 Trocadero.

The night before, Doug & Chuck made a Beer and Water run to the Mercado Focsa around the corner from the house, across the street from La Casona, scene of last nights dinner and lugged back 3- 6 packs of 1.5 liter water bottles to refill the small ones that everyone planned to carry with them when out and about.  Oh, and a couple bottles of wine too so they were set for Hydration, Libation and whatnot for awhile.

The trip to  Trocadero was uneventful with an exception of a minor Girare-U as Chucky blew past the turn at Paseo Prado because the Cuban Lady was shrieking something about "Watch out for that lady and the Dog" but by time Chuicky spotted them they were safely across the street and he was past the Prado.  Not to worry... over the bridge to the port, a Girare-U at the Tour Bus park [Cuban Chick oooffffing and eeeeking all the way] hang a left at the Prado and Voila... back on course.  

But now as we turned the corner from the Prado onto Trocadero,.the emotions once again mounted  All the Vedado Girls [as the females of the expedition are being called since they are from that section of Habana] got pretty misty and quite Verklempt as they exited the cars and once again saw the house they left 50+ years ago.

Pictures galore and now the assault on the stairs was to begin.  A Looooonnnnggg and Painful trek it was to be as Tia had to do it One…. Step…. At…. A… time… with one of the boys in front, one in back and girls urging her on with “One…Two… Three…UP [Unh]- “One…Two… Three…UP [Unh]- “One…Two… Three…UP [Unh]  and of course then there was the oooofffiiing and eeeekkkiinnnggg on the rickety iron stair case at the top...suffice it to say the last person to set foot on the landing of the roof top apartment did so a full 25 minutes after we started the assent.

“CUZ” of Cuba… [Mary Niurka Valdes Montalvo Collazo], yeah – its easier to say “CUZ” [or maybe well call her PRIMA just to differentiate her from “CUZ” of Tampa and Other “CUZ” of Tampa]

Anyway... she was already in full swing with lunch preparations but had to stop for a whole lot of shriekin’, huggin and air kisses and more hugs, and shrieks… emotional bunch these Vedado Girls.  A quick show of the apartment and the boys started moving tables and chairs outside so we could all sit and chat while the cooking went on.  As expected, the timing was a bit off so Chucky jumped in to help finish rolling and frying the Buñuelos Cubano for dessert.  Unlike the sweet cheesy balls of dough made by his son’s Colombian Mother-in-law on her trips to the US of A, these are thin rolls about the length and diameter of a small cigarillo and then twisted into a bow.
And what fun - the gas stove in the apartment was lit by striking a grounded steel spike against the gas port to create a spark and we started to heat the lard to fry the pastry.

Meanwhile “CUZ”  is whipping up some mashed boñato, along with fresh steamed yucca, Moros Rice, Sliced tomatoes and shredded Slaw to Accompany the Cerdo Asado [Roast pork], with pineapple and Olive Oil.

Needless to say, when this crowd finally sat down at 1:30 it didn’t take long to inhale 15 pounds of pork, 4 quarts of Rice and Beans, 3 pounds of boñato and everything else and of course Chucky had to run make more Buñuelos Cubano because some folks just couldn't wait for dessert and ate theirs with lunch.

And So... a family long separated is once again united they way a family should be…around the dinner table over a fabulous meal, with a cool breeze blowing, the Wine flowing, the Chit-chat and laughter rolling across the patio in the shade, on the roof of 109 Trocadero in La Habana Central, Cuba… 

and all was right in the world again.

More to follow – strolls on the Prado, early evening tours of La Habana Vieja… wellll  you'll just have to wait for Chucky to finish that part… Tomorrow.

Annnnddddd – look out for pictures to be added to the previous Posts and from here forward, that are already posted on PicasaWeb Album--> NOWAT-HABANA2013.@ Picasa
or you can just click on the slide show here in the right column under the archives

Until then Deary hearts... 

  

HASTA LUEGO,

Uncle Chuck & The Way too Overwhelmed to Eat but she did

Cuban Lady

Eatin’ Fresh Pork Asado, Sweet Buñuelos & sippin’ Vino Tinto from Rioja

3.10 - UN PASEO EN DEL PRADO

Now the non Latinos became itchy

And the Urge to escape made them twitchy

From the roof top they'll go

With Ramon to the Prado

Before one of them becomes bitchy

Ok, Ok... we already knew he’s no Wordsworth... and Brutha Earl is working diligently on the Nantucket issue so just deal with it and read on.

  

After post lunch clean up and café all around, the eventual "bringing out the antiques and old pictures" portion of the visit commences as “Expedition Montalvo” breaks up into small groups -
let the oooooing, aaahhhing and squealing begin.   

Along with the arrival of more of the Montalvo clan, picture groups and more tiny chat groups break out, as the cacophony of Spanish and squealing grows faster and louder… By now the non-Latino contingent is starting to feel a tad out-numbered but... help is on the way in the form of Dr.Ramon Collazo, prescient devil that he is...who along with feeling a bit outnumbered himself suggests the Gringo's head out to The Prado for a little leg stretch and escape from all the reunion celebration they couldn't participate in.
SOLD...as they literally bolt for the rickety stairs and breathing room as they head for a Stroll on the Prado.

Paseo del Prado, also known as Paseo Martí, can best be defined in the following links: 

Paseo del Prado, Havana

One Street At a Time, 

Paseo del Prado

CentroHabana and Prado

which are far more in depth than we can describe - Plus it saves space here for more important stuff, like where the cold beer is, how to find Cigars cheap, What time dinner is…

Once on the Prado, we find a mini-arts and crafts show stretching the length of the Paseo, with some really fine paintings and creative offerings, including 

a toaster converted to a CD Player resembling an old 

Gramaphone [kids ask your grandfather what that is] an old French-Phone converted to a 45 rpm Player…[ask him about that too] with sheet music for both as megaphones - but in fact are just whimsical and humorous creations for arts sake.  

And of course, the usual panhandlers, beggers but not thieves… the cops with the dogs make sure that isn’t happening.  As we stroll along, Ramon points out various landmarks and points of interest until we reach Parque Central where there appears to be a very boisterous Political Rally of sorts… Wrong… it is a large group of Baseball aficionados who spend their day, standing in a group arguing, quite belligerently about their favorite team, player, manager, play of the day… Whatever, pretty much like what you might find in an Irish bar near Fenway Park in Chicago… only twice as loud but not as drunk.

Obviously it has been a picture fest on the stroll with Chucky snapping anything and everything as usual, including every car that is older than 1959, which most of them are since time stopped in Cuba on New Years 1959. [more on that later]

Soooo…. Ramon directs the sortie to the roof of the Hotel Inglaterra for more pics from above, with a straight shot down the Prado to the Moro Castle across the bay.  Of course, the spare battery for the Big camera is back in the car and the camera dies at just the wrong time… not to worry… he has the trusty mini digital that he took on the Hutong Ride in Beijing and manages to get some key shots from the roof, and on the way back… it too dies.  Oh wellll [many pics are already on the Picassa Web Album site, with more to follow]

Time to head back, as Prima calls on Chuck’s spare phone that he had unlocked before leaving home and in which he now has Ramon’s SIM card that they loaded up at the airport for such an emergency… which this must be as the girls are in a panic… they never saw us leave.

We hustle back to find even MORE Montalvo’s on the roof now comprising 5 generations.  More hugs, squeals, loud chatter when the announcement is made “Tia wants to Walk the Prado”.  Well, walk is a bit erroneous since she will be in a wheelchair but… you get it.

Now the Long and Painful descent from the roof on the rickety metal stairs, One…Step…At…A…Time with the crew chanting.  “One…Two…Three…Unhh…Cha Cha Cha.” - All…The…Way…Down. 

Only 20 minutes this time for the last ones, Chucky and the boys, to make the street. 

And the trek to the Prado begins once again which now resembles more of a cavalry charge than a stroll as “Expedition Montalvo” heads toward Parque Central and the entrance to Havana Vieja with young and old in tow… which will be the subject of the next post.

Yes, Any, we’re gonna stop at La Floridita for a Daiquiri and Pic with Hemingway….

Stay tuned for the Havana Vieja Tour in the Dark.

Now who brought those cold Bucaneros….

HASTA LUEGO,

Uncle Chuck & The Huffin’ and Puffin’, Pushin’ the Chair

Cuban Lady

Headin' for Tangy Daiquiris, Toasted Yuca Chips & Fine Aged Rum

3.10 - LA HABANA VIEJA EN LA NOCHE

Now La Habana Vieja does beckon

But the hour no-one seems to reckon

As the darker it gets

Seems that everyone forgets

That the Cars are in the other direction

Tally Ho with your work on Nantucket Earl… the less adventurous amongst us are relying on your wordsmith skills.

We now find our Expedition cavalry charge approaching the statue of Marti and of course another group photo is in order as still more have joined the trek, all jockeying  to push Tia a little ways along.  And… yes, everyone has a camera and wants the same shot…

8 cameras, 16 shots [an extra for each “por Si a caso”] and multiple 1..2..3.. WHISKEYYYYYYY’s later the procession starts to break up before the main entourage heads into La Habana Vieja - the children have school tomorrow and have far to go to get home.

 "Expedition Montalvo" now heads for the Centro Asturiano Museo de Bellas Artes, where Tia once taught, more pictures on the door step and a turn at the corner reveals La Floridita, the legendary hangout of Hemingway, and purported birthplace of the “Best Daiquiri” in La Habana.  Cameras firing in all directions including at the Havana Club, the Casa del Ron Y del Tobaco Cubano next door… And La Pina del Plata Bar-Restaurant on the opposite corner before they all crowd inside La Floridita for the obligatory pic with the statue of Hemingway leaning on the bar at his official spot at the corner of the Bar.

Of course Chucky spots a trio of tourists trying to take their own picture with the Famous Daiquiris, Cigars and Toasted Plantain chips, and jumps in to oblige them.  Cigars flare, Daiquiri's are hoisted, Grins all around, and he then turns to snap pics from every angle of the bar and “Expedition Montalvo” is on the move again.

With Prima in the lead pushing Tia down the center of the cobble-stoned streets [not an easy feat], the Montalvo clan moves ever deeper into La Habana Vieja in search of ancient memories and places of interest from the Museo de 28 Septembre CDR – [Ranked #238 of 417 things to do in Havana by Lonely Planet]  A venerable building dedicating two floors to a rather biased dissection of the nationwide Comites de la Defensa de la Revolución (CDR), the somewhat commendable neighborhood-watch schemes, or grassroots spying agencies. [Ok, not such a big deal unless you're into the politics of it all as Prima and Ramon are],
Then on to to the Lobby full of memories in the Hotel Florida down the street.

A brief stop is made to grab a handful of Bucanero’s to fortify those concerned that as they march ever closer to the Plaza De Armas, they are further and further away from 109 Trocadero and the cars.  The sun is setting, the chill is rising but yet they push on to the Boutique Hotel Ambos Mundos that keeps Heminingway’s room as a shrine, past the Castelo de la Real Fuerza and onto the Havana Cathedral Plaza which is now about 1.5 km from the cars with the streets between there and where they are now all ripped up with no safe way to push the wheelchair home.
But... not before Illy stops cold and starts cursing "the Bastard is still following me" pointing at a memorial plaque to Giussepe Garibaldi dedicated by Jose Marti on the 130th anniversary of the Liberation of Italia [only those that followed NOWAT TOSCANA 2011 will remember she was continually running into statues of or references to Garibaldi all over Tuscany including an elusive street we needed to turn onto to get to Villa Il Pianaccio]

After a quick pit stop for the Ladies [well not so quick, it required dragging the wheelchair up 3 sets of steps to get inside the restaurant on the Cathedral Plaza, with the ladies room at the other end of the building and a Tia on a cane… you get the picture]

Meanwhile the decision was made [one of the few rapidly agreed upon] for Chucky, Doug and Ramon to hot foot it back to 109 Trocadero for the cars while “Expedition Montalvo”  pushes on north along the only decent street to the Tour bus parking lot along the Malecon, opposite El Moro where the guys can pick them up.

As the entourage heads north, the boys set out for 109 with Ramon in the lead at almost a gallop….

 ”Whoa big Fella… this aint a race, the cars will still be there so lets ratchet back and enjoy the view along the way”.  After several streets dodging sewer excavations, adventurous moto's, and a couple of hookers, they eventually pass the Museo de Revolucion and the Memorial where the Yacht Granma is enshrined in glass [The Yacht Castro took from Mexico to launch the Revolution], into and out of the Hotel Sevilla for blurred picture, and 20 minutes later arrive at 109.  Now it’s two lefts around the corner, south onto the Prado, girare-U – north on Prado, east on Malecon over the Bridge to the port, right into the bus parking lot and… No Montalvos.  Now what?  Ramon is in a panic, Doug is circling the wagons and Chucky makes a wrong turn into the blocked off street leading to the Police Headquarters.

Another girare-U and he stops, gets out and surveys the landscape, spotting “Expedition” making their way back towards him…they had decided to walk all the way to the Malecon and wait… [Ok… NOT the agreed on plan – but what's new with this bunch]  With the wheelchair safely in the trunk they all squeeze into the cars to drop off Prima and Ramon at 109 and head back to the 55 Linea to figure out what to do for dinner, now that it was approaching 8:00 PM.

Once back at Casa de Maria La China, and a rather hasty discussion on where to eat, then Maria recommends the Cafeteria in the Hotel Nacional, just 2 block away and they set out pushing Tia down the street [more lousy sidewalks, only to find that the entrance to the hotel is up a Verrryyyy steep hill.  No problem… Doug didn’t get enough power walk from the Cathedral to 109 so he runs Tia and the chair up the hill just making it before running out of gas.  Down the long driveway to arrive at 18 steps up to the lobby   Surely there is an easier way in and the nice cab driver waiting for a fare directs them through the parking lot, up a zig-zag ramp to a side door that is locked.  Not to worry… the parking guard has spotted them and runs up with a key and they start the search for the cafeteria, which is at the other end of the hotel lobby… downstairs, they find  the elevator and while half the group is lollygagging around the lobby, Doug gets Tia into the elevator, the rest take the stairs and they invade an empty Café shop, arrange a few small tables to seat 8 and settle in.  It takes a while to get menus, then more waiing to get drinks, and an even longer wait for sandwiches that Doug swears they were making One…At…A…Time.  By 10 PM they send out a search party for the waiter, the sandwiches and more beer.  The food finally arrives, the Cuban sandwiches more bread than meat, the other fare not much better but they were too hungry to care.

Post “dinner” it was a stroll through the lounge, a peek at the patio overlooking the Malecon, back down the hill to 55 Linea and it was crash and burn time for “Expedition Montalvo” .  Chucky of course had to finish documenting the Arrival posts for uploading at Hotel Nacional’s internet office in the morning. By 2 AM he surrenders to glazed eyes and aching back and its off to Zzzzzzzzz land.

We'll join The Wacky American Tourist's Cuban Holiday{?} tomorrow as the Girls head to the Beach, Chucky and Doug do banking and hassle with the Internet and more fun and frolic on the Isle of Cuba, just 90 mile from Key West, but light years away from sanity - the land where time stopped on New Years Day 1959 [and he has a ton of pictures of the cars to prove it].

HASTA LUEGO,

Uncle Chuck & The Happily Counting Zzzzzz’s
Cuban Lady

Eatin’ Cuban Sandwiches ‘n’ Drinkin’ Bucaneros in Hotel Nacional’s cellar

3.11 - LA PLAYA, EL BANCO, EL INTERNET Y MAS

Now a trip to the Beach is required

“What’s Close?” they quickly inquired

Varadero’s too far

As they piled in the car

But Playa Santa Maria can be admired

Hey Nantucket has a beach… just a tad too far.  Are you working on it Earl…he’s dyin’ over here…

The Sun rose Monday with another grunt and there was much to do today for the Boys, Bank, Hotel Nacional Internet, Bucanero’s, Power Walks, Shopping, Bucaneros…

But the Girls had decided that Monday was “Goin’ to the Beach Day”.  However, the thought of 2 hours to Varadero and 2 hours back was too long a drive for a quick swim no matter how beautiful it is.  After consulting Maria la China, the destination is now set for Playa Santa Maria “through the Tunnel, just a short way up the road a piece… [where have I heard that before] about half way to Varadero.  

While all the beach directions and discussion is going on Chucky heads over to Trocadero to pick up Prima and bring her over to entertain Tia for the afternoon and when they return, Tia decides she isn’t up for the beach so Prima had planned to push Tia along the Malecon all the way to Trocadero.  Chucky put the nix on that idea...some of  the Malecon is pretty treacherous for two old ladies and a wheelchair pushing all that way [2 km] so Prima decides to just push her over to the Malecon for a little while and then back to the FOCSA tower behind 55 linea across the street from La Casona, where they will ramble around and later go up to the 33 floor to look out over Havana.

In the meantime the Vedado Girls and Jessie head out for the beach with 2 maps, loads of verbal directions and instructions to keep the water on their left.  They promptly ignore keeping the water on the left, take the bridge OVER the tunnel entrance toward the port, and after quite a ride, there is no more water on the left, the neighborhood is becoming increasingly depressed, and industrial and the road starts to get VERY BAD.
 Not Good, so “CUZ” is now initiated into the Girare-U Club and they head back the way they came suddenly remembering they were supposed to go THRU the Tunnel not over it and started looking for the Tunnel sign they obviously missed.  “There it is” someone cried and after a little maneuvering made the loop under the Bridge and were through the tunnel, slowing down for the toll booth where there was no-one to collect the toll and after repeated loud honks from behind decided to chance an extended stay Cuba courtesy of the Havana Jail for running a toll booth and blew through it.  

Meanwhile, back at 55 Linea Doug and Chucky pop next door to the bank to change CAD to CUC and get stopped at the door… you must first form a line outside, to get inside, to get in a line, to sit on the chairs, to wait for an open teller to change the money.  After 40 minutes, they negotiate the gauntlet, change the cash and head to the store for more water, beer and to see what else was available.  After getting sticker shock at the prices, “How can the average person afford to shop here?” They head back to the house to collect their laptops and with Jake, head over to the Hotel Nacional to see just how bad the Internet really is.

Back to the beach trip… After about 20 miles along first the Via Monumental and a sharp turn onto the Via Blanca, they found a nice stretch of beach and voted “This was IT” and pulled over to a very isolated spot.  After settling in, blankets deployed, sunscreen applied and just about to enter the water… a park security guy wanders over and advises them that they shouldn't leave the car in the isolated area due to too many roving car bandits and they should use the parking facility down the way that they had tried to avoid, not wanting to pay to park.

Sooooo back in the car, down to the parking lot, find a spot to park and trudge back to their spot.  So much for a short drive to the beach.  But… the water was cool, the sun hot, the frolic in the surf refreshing and all was right again in their world again.
Of course only Jessie and ““CUZ”  braved the cold surf, Illy and Grisele being true Floridians declined dipping toe into anything colder than 80 degrees.

Where are the Guys? After deciding not to lug all the gear on foot, they hop in the car, and head to the Hotel,  parking on the street behind the taxi stand to avoid what was reported to be exorbitant parking fees on the hotel grounds.  After the trek up the hill and down the driveway, they climb the stairs to the mezzanine to find two ways to use the internet.  The hotel’s PC in a cubicle at $2.50/15 min or use your laptop @ $7.00/hr for Wireless.  So they set up at the bar, plug into AC to save batteries and set about getting a connection, then going back to the desk, getting a username & password then back to the bar, login only to find it is V E R Y  S L O W, but serviceable… at least until they both find that the Great Firewall of Cuba has their GoDaddy Servers Blocked!  This means Chucky cant access his business email, but what's worse, Doug cant access his Business!!!  Try as he may, NADA.  So he settles for checking e-mail and, connecting with his brother Chuck to try back dooring the problem. He gets a little done but not enough and resigns himself to a possible 6 more days of isolation.  Chucky also began to feel the frustration as Internet withdrawals started to set in.  It was bad enough that the Smart phone he thought he could use as a translator as well as dictate NOWAT notes using the voice input feature, wouldn't work either app without a data connection. W T F!

Now Chucky tries to upload the first NOWAT transmission from Cuba and starts getting error messages on Blogger about the post not sticking.  After awhile he thinks he has is solved and uploads a couple posts, rechecks email and runs out of time.  Unlike using hotel pc’s where you pay at the end, you pay the wireless upfront because they cant track the time and it just shuts off when the time is up.  Chucky needs a little more time to finish one upload and has to transfer it to a flash drive and buy 30 minutes on their machines.  Doug wants to try reaching his servers from their machines, but no joy.  After a frustrating 2 hours, they head back to the House to find something to eat, settling for peanut butter wraps. [In Cuba… with a snack stand on every corner…all these trips to the store, and its Peanut Butter Wraps?!?!?  Don’t ask!]

We'll pick this up and close the day in the next post along with trips to the Tower, Dinner disasters and more fun on the island that Time Forgot.

HASTA LUEGO,

Uncle Chuck & The Wont Go in the Chilly Water

Cuban Lady

Eatin’ Peanut Butter wraps, Sipping Bucaneros and Chillin’ at La Playa