Last day

Here we sit on the last day.  We have seen quite a bit of sun lately.  Last shot for any special requests.  We've gotten pretty dark, the sun has been good to us.  So far, no extraordinary burns.  I gave up on the sunscreen , figuring I'm okay now.  

Would be an interesting night and day.  We leave our hotel 1:45 am.  Flight leaves at 5:10 am arriving back at yvr at 9:05 and Smithers at 7:45 pm. The Lord willing.  Who knows what will happen between now and then, but we are hoping all will go smoothly.  Looking forward to seeing our loved ones once again and those we won't see at least being able to talk to them WHENEVER WE WANT.  Free wifi, free long distance, Skype, all the pleasures of a free country!

Beach day

Beautiful sun shiny day.  Took advantage of it and sat at the beach for most of the day.  Dad had fun feeding seagulls and flying a kite.  He later gave it to a young lad and his dad who had hours of fun with it.  Cheap entertainment.  While we were there a pelican came and kept the sun worshipper a company.  So cute, it was like he belonged there.

Thanks Mark and Keri

When mark and Keri were home for Christmas, they downloaded a website for the Canadian traveller.  One day I decided to read about some rules and regulations in Cuba.

I found it quite interesting, and enlightening.  Dad was talking about renting a car.  Well they said, don't rent a car, should you get get into an accident and inadvertently injure someone, you'll be automatically  found guilty and improsoned until your trial where you will have to prove your innocence.  Mrs. Locked Up Abroad expert is a little paranoid when it comes to that.  Upon entering Cuba there was a question as to whether you were carrying nRcotics to which I of course checked yes.  Well I could not sleep for the entire flight because of that.  Of course Mrs. Locked Up Abroad expert is also Mrs. Border Patrol expert.  Guess I could call myself a reality show expert.  Regardless, they simply took our cards without even looking at them and said have a nice stay.  The other day at the market a lady who had made some hats for us was saying how sore her neck was and of course I was thinking, well I have something for WHATEVER ails you!  Thank goodness Mrs. Locked UP Abroad expert came into play!

Well that's a bit of a rant again, just thought you might be interested. 

One more funny thing though about that website.  They caution about using those old cars that they have turned into taxis.  Their reason?  Well they don't don't have airbags, and some don't even have seatbelts!  Well thank you Government of Canada!  I would have never thought of that!

More golfing

These guinea fowl were quite something.

From where we are on the golf corse you can feel the spray on your face.

Arnold Palmer 

Or maybe this is.

Hoping you can see the many colours of the water.

Golfing

Just some nice foliage

Dads cheering section.  Hilarious!

Just sunning himself.

The range finder put to use.

Just pics

Get smart

Not even sure if you guys know who agent 99 from get smart is, but my watch stopped working.  Not knowing what time it is is very frustrating, even if it doesn't matter.  Go into a store where the shampoo and those sort of this are behind the counter.  Asked to look at a watch that was in the display case.  First she had to call someone from the back, that lady took a key to open the locked drawer that held the key to open the display case.  I guess I should mention the watch was worth $17.00  well we found some more bargains a t shirt and some stuff for the kids the weather is hot right now we are loving it. Soon to back to the resort they have. Bus line pay 5 peso and you can ride it all day . We went to see are friends at the one market we bought some things for the boys Curt I think you can make some money with this thing or maybe I can before I give it to him or Jon or mark ? Maybe even pay for our trip .well that's alli got for now back to your mom.

Seeing a whole lot of "paid for" Latino women with older men.  As if we don't know what they're doing.

While we were buying the watch, the clouds came in, temperature dropped a whole lot and it got darker.  A few minutes later a torrential downpour.  Glad we are where we are.

That I hope you can see how hard it's raining,  but the rest of the day has been nice so it's okay for a little while.  Looks like it will pass shortly.

Momesa or mimosa

I think I said earlier one of my goals was do have dad say mimosa, not momeso.  This morning I heard a gentleman order momeso from one of the waiters!    HES WINNING!!!!   Then he tells me hat must be a hockey fan.  Years ago there was a Russian hockey player named momeso.  Now it all makes sense.

 It's a BEAUTIFUL day in Cuba.  The sun is BEAMING!!!  Yesterday the beach was so crowded!  It's awesome!  The ocean is also very very calm.  No roaring today.  What a change.  Unbelievable actually how it went from one extreme to the other.  Our winter coats have finally been completely stashed away!

It's on you

Okay this is just another rant.  In Canada the onus is always on someone else that you are safe at all costs.  No holes in your sidewalk, the snow had better be shovelled, the pavement must be in perfect repair, and I could go on and on.  If you get hurt and for some reason someone else is found to be the blame, they will pay.  Here I notice you better walk with your eyes down.  Especially someone like me who couldn't walk in a straight line if my life depended on it.  There are man hole covers completely off, holes in pavement a small child could fall through and stairs at a moments notice. I've walked and surprise, there is a stair, or a dip or something.  I've noticed so many people walking with bandaged ankles.  It's no wonder.  I am so so careful.

On the other other hand, we are. Dry conscious of those with limited mobility.  Here not, you are on your own.  I noticed today a blind man being led around by his mom.  She was on such high alert, I felt bad for her.

People with mobility problems are put in rooms that they have to walk forever and ever.  Such a shame.  There are much closer rooms.  Our travel agent always looks out for us in that department.  Only this time we had to make a choice, walk farther or have a mildew infested room.  We chose the latter since at other resorts even the close rooms involve A LOT of walking.  Here if you time it right a train will go by.

Enough of the rant.

Below you'll see pictures of what happens when you leave a tip for the maid and when you don't.  Yesterday we just happened to forget.

This is of a man fishing from his inner tube.  His bounty was something to be desired.

Another great day at the beach.

Wednesday

Had fun today hanging out in Varadero.  Just so much fun when you connect with locals.  We had a great time with of a couple of them.  After having a sudoku race with dad, both of them on "medium"and both done within seconds of each other, dad was invited to a game of chess.  Of course neither of us know it, and our kids were not there, we had to decline.  Regardless it was great fun.  We told them we would bring a package along with us tomorrow for their kids.  By the end, we had received so many gifts from them, it was incredible.  What a great time.  We also left him some sudokus and a pencil and he was thrilled.

We come back to roofers doing some repairs.  They must be dying in the heat because boy the sun is strong, and here I sit guiltily sipping a glass of wine.  Anyway great day so far.  Now I think I should get rid of the farmers tan I got today.

Ocean.

Had a BLASTY blast in the ocean today!  Dad actually got more than his feet wet.  Coming out and cleaning up however was a different story.  Going to the washroom and soAping up, then heading to the shower.  Well it was a sight to behold to put it mildly.     Now just waiting for this. Huge mop of hair to dry so we can go get something to eat.  Our favourite waitress should be back after a weekend away on a little r and r.

Sure are enjoying John Gorman,s book. Well have to share it when we get back,

We asked our bartender friend about the plane that would circle around.  Goes so slow slower than the Beavers headed for tyee lake,  notice the spelling.  I just won't conform.  Anyway, we asked are they looking for us, or are they looking for you?  He said actual,y to be honest, they are looking for Mosquitos.  If they wanted to look for you, they are enough cameras in this hotel that they would find you if they wanted.  Makes perfect sense to us!  

So it was so much fun playing in the ocean today.  Dad humoured me and just had fun.  I lost my hat more than once and he got it back.

  

Now we're just waiting to dry off. 

Fet om je bek and other things.

This morning at breakfast there was this Chinese man with fet om his bek.  I tried not to look.  REALLY tried.  I looked a minute later and IT WAS WORSE!!!!!  I then pulled out the iPad and dad was REALLY worried, I was going to take a picture!  Of course I WANTED to but some voice WAY WAY back there told me that just possibly MIGHT be a little rude!  I listened.  What I wanted to do was just grab a napkin and wipe it FOR him!  It so reminded me of someone we ALL know!

Last night there was a man with the collar of his shirt over turned.  OH HOW I WANTED TO TURN IT!!!!!  I see it in church and it just kills me.  Jack vanderscaaf understands.  I've turned his collar MANY a time.  In fact he asks sometimes if his collar is okay BEFORE he sits down!

Ingrids dad Mr. Damsma is forever checking ME because the tags of my shirt sticking out drive HIM crazy.  I get it!

Anyway, just my two minutes of a rant!

Monday

First beautiful sun shiny day, but, no internet.  Just that easy.  Sorry the system is down.  Plain and simple.  Maybe tomorrow.  So we'll see 

Dad had a wonderful time golfing.  He came back nice and red because of course he didn't wear sun screen.  He looked like the sun all dressed in his yellow garb.  Forgot to take a picture though.

We bought into the game doubly this morning.  Saved two chairs by the beach and two by the pool.  The ocean is the calmest it's been so far.

Went for s nice walk on the beach this morning.  Dad was worried about getting his feet wet and did manage to keep them dry and found some nice shells to boot.

Well the line up for breakfast is atrocious.  Guess we'll just get in line and hope for the best.

Road trip

So after having too many days confined to the hotel we ventured out today.  Enough of Varadero .  We hired a taxi for the day and had a great time.   We first went to matanzas. Several years ago we brought a basket of goodies to an orphanage there.  After being at the city square for a short time we said enough of that and asked him to bring us to another town we knew Cardenas.  Well that was just awesome. Unassuming people just living  their life.   The first children we offered gifts, the mother smiled and said no until a lady interrupted and asked are you trying to give them gifts?  We said yes and she interpreted to the mother what we trying to do.   Then it was a whole different story.

It was so fun.  They were very appreciative.mm

We then just took in a back yard baseball game.  What a blast!  We interacted with the locals, they invited your dad to play with them and what fun.  We gave the children gifts, they applauded us when we left.  It was real comraderie.  The taxi driver brought us to his house.  I'll post the picture of his grandchildren.  It was nice to be off the beaten path of tourism and see the locals.  The taxi driver understood what we were after.  

We visited a church too. The outside was so desolate, but the inside was absolutely beautiful.  Stained glass windows, immaculately clean, and the only two ladies there were very welcoming.  A couple of hours later, we drove by the same church and then there were three ladies there!  It was so cool.  I didn't want to disrespect them by taking pictures.  

Well I hope you all had a good day.

Hoping the Internet will cooperate tonight.  It has been very slow to non existent.   Sometimes it will let us connect and then just eat up our time so we disconnect.  Frustrating watching that clock trickle down tick tick tick and not accomplishing anything!  

Forgot to tell you ther is someone from telkwa here too.  The imhoffs.  Their son bought the sporting end of Oscars.  How wild is that to run into someone from our own home town.  It's a small world after all

Monday

Well the sun is shining very strongly.  No wind at all!  Looks like things are on the up and up.  Hopefully people will be able to enjoy the sight of me in my new bathing suit today.  Starting to get a bit of a farmers tan, from what little sun.  The ocean still seems to be roaring, but if there is sun, not much else seems to matter.  Played the game of reserving a pool chair this morning.  Seems that after nine regardless of sun or no sun, they are all gone.  The beach still seems to be roaring but just might venture out there today.  Dad is planning on going golfing again today.  Hope he enjoys himself.  I should too, so long as the sun keeps me company.  Having trouble I guess you can tell with the Internet, but that too is minor.  Someday all these posts will post.  Until then greetings to you all our family.  Nice chatting to those who happen to be on line the same time.  Talk to you soon.

Sunday

No church today.  Another cold and windy day.  Hopefully going to try and find something to do today. I like to drink my mimosas with just a little bit of orange juice.  This morning I asked for a mimosa without orange juice.  The bartender looked at me and smiled and said "I understand.  Enjoy!"

Actually just trying to write something to see if it will post.  We have been unable to connect to the Internet for quite a while now.  Thinking maybe we are now but I have my doubts.  So in the words of the Emergency Broadcast System "this is a test.  This is only a test". Love you and we'll check back when we can.

Sunday

No church today.  Another cold and windy day.  Hopefully going to try and find something to do today. I like to drink my mimosas with just a little bit of orange juice.  This morning I asked for a mimosa without orange juice.  The bartender looked at me and smiled and said "I understand.  Enjoy!"

Actually just trying to write something to see if it will post.  We have been unable to connect to the Internet for quite a while now.  Thinking maybe we are now but I have my doubts.  So in the words of the Emergency Broadcast System "this is a test.  This is only a test". Love you and we'll check back when we can.

Sunday

No church today.  Another cold and windy day.  Hopefully going to try and find something to do today. I like to drink my mimosas with just a little bit of orange juice.  This morning I asked for a mimosa without orange juice.  The bartender looked at me and smiled and said "I understand.  Enjoy!"

Actually just trying to write something to see if it will post.  We have been unable to connect to the Internet for quite a while now.  Thinking maybe we are now but I have my doubts.  So in the words of the Emergency Broadcast System "this is a test.  This is only a test". Love you and we'll check back when we can.

On the bus

On the bus back from Varadero I was sitting by some Dutch people.  They asked why so many Canadians come to Cuba.  I replied that I was thinking the same thing.  Why do so many Dutchmen come to Cuba.  Hilarious!

Wolf Blitzer

I imagines myself as Wolf Blitzer this morning.  "This is Wolf Bitzer speaking to you from the beach of Varadero Cuba where winds have reached peaks of ninety miles an hour.  Behind me you can see the waves hurling on to the shore".........and that would be the end of his broadcast because one of the waves swept him up.  On the bright side we do have sunshine!  It seems that the topic of every post is about the weather.  I've always said when you start talking about the weather it's time to end the conversation and so I will.

The maid went a little overboard and used an under garment for decoration!  It's cute though, and I'm sure I know why she does it.  We also got a personal note yesterday.  They know how to get what they want.

Yesterday while sitting in an outdoor cafe this little girl kept walking by, smiling and waving making certain she made eye contact.  I thought it very cute.  Then shortly later, she walked by with some pencil crayons.  Oh now I get it!  They are smooth, very smooth!

You must notice though, it's two single beds pushed together.  Guess they want to leave room for the Holy Spirit.  LOTS of room!

1927

Don't know if you can see it or not but that car had 1927 on it.  They say Cuba has the best mechanics in the world and I guess that's proof.  That car is 90 years old!