Havana, the second day

Alarm went off exactly at 615 and we just made it to breakfast at 845 (no walk obviously but I am sure you saw that coming).  Nancy had strict rules to be at excursion location at 9 am.  Cutting it close but we made it.  We will walk later.  Why can’t people know that they need their freakin card to leave the ship every time.  It’s like they are surprised each and every time.  Mom and Dad grab their water as always and as my dad says, they always bring it home.  Walked down the 43 steps (thanks dad for the count).  Got on bus and the tour was really good.  Great panoramic tour of Havana.  I have to rethink my tomb stone, though.

Originally, I was going to have Gary make me a bar out of concrete for my grave but after seeing this cemetery, I think I am going a little higher end.  Will work on plans with Gary when I get home (sorry Wendy but Arky may be in the shade if you know what I mean).  Went to the fort and saw the “missile crisis” monument.  It was really sketchy as there are a lot of “hole” or 30’ drops all over and I was afraid Dad would fall in but he is like Mr. Magoo when it comes to that stuff.  Got back at 1 pm and went to boat to get lunch which was ok, but had a great time hanging and talking with he crew. 

Found out Andrew believed in Santa until he was 16 and they used to leave water for reindeer in house and the kids still did not figure it out (lol). 

Now for the walk, 1 and half hours next to the sea wall (forgot Spanish name) but it was closed because the water literally closes the road.  Our plan was to meet the crew at the Floridia for drinks at 4 pm.  We were doing great and met a really nice Cuban, named Eddie Murphy (not sure if that was his real name) but we hung with him and his wife Gina for a while and they showed us their house and gave us coffee.  They gave us their address if we were ever back and Eddie was going to meet us at the boat so we could give him a shirt from the USA at 6 PM.  More to come on that.  We continued on to try and meet the crew walking through Havana and the back streets getting lost once again.  Finally, we found the place and ran into our crew and even got a table for some drinks.  Really crowded but a great experience.

I decided to smoke a cigar on the way back which ended out to be a dangerous proposition.  I got grabbed by a few guys who wanted to sell me “cheap” Cuban cigars and literally dragged up three floor to their apartment leaving the crew walking back to the boat.  Finally, I negotiated my way out and got a box for 50 pesos but lost the group.  Jen was freaking out and I ended up catching up to her right at the cruise ship ( I had her passport).  Mom and Dad left her but in their defense, there may have been a lecture starting.    Got through customs now racing the clock to meet Eddie Murphy with his shirt and we locked ourselves out of our room after pulling the only American shirts I had out of the dirty laundry to give Eddie (ultra-embarrassing).  Anyway, we missed the drop so we will have to send him something as we have his address.  The people of cuba are really nice and love Americans.  You can use American money here which is not what we were told.

Side note; when I finally found Jen, a guy was telling her how beautiful she was and I although I agree, I offered to sell her for 40 pesos (I wouldn't have really done) but would have made my cuban cigars be a 10 peso net (not bad). 

Up to the only place where you can smoke a cigar and write my blog like Hemmingway would do while Jen took a nap.

Shit, Just lost my card!   I have to be in the black with my beverage package which is hard but I am confident I can win.  Dinner is at 8 PM and we will toast to Grandpa’s Birthday.  He would be 107 today if alive.  

My mom took her fist selfie today-see picture. 

Took a Shower after we left and even after drinking it felt like taking a shower in a wasing machine.  Hope my dad is not taking a shower.

Thank god our crew cannot figure out wifi or they might not hang with us tomorrow after reading this blog.

Came back to room at 745 and Jen dead asleep for our dinner at 800.  Knowing Nancy would be there at 745, I sprang to action, taking a quick shower and getting us there for 8 pm.  Dinner was great and even though I had to switch my perfectly well done steak with my dad’s rare one, dinner was great.  Dessert was even better as we ordered the quintet (all five desserts).  Great dinner, great conversation, toast to grandpa.  Time to go to bed or for me, grab one more glass of wine to make me black for the night.  A+ grade for me from Jen.

At Sea tomorrow.