The girls wake up early again, and I hear them working out on the roof. We have this beautiful little terrace we haven’t put to use yet. I guess I should say I haven put to use yet. I know I should be working out with them, but this is my vacation, and if I don’t have to work, I´m sleeping in late. I was up by 10am… that was my late wake up -___-
I take my shower and try to do what I can wit second day curls. I didn’t bring enough product for this trip, so for the remainder of it, it’ll probably be tied up somehow.
Olivia´s main purpose for this trip was to go to the tobacco fields and the rum factory. Since we couldn’t arrange a trip to Vinales, yet another city, we found an alternative. Alexis, our cab driver, stopped by a hotel so we can buy day passes at a hotel, since we wouldn’t be able to buy tickets at the spot we were headed to. 
Partagas Cigar Factory was pretty close to our casa particular, and since we did a lot bullshitting around the house, we arrived an hour before it closed at 1pm. I was a little upset I had to leave my DSLR in a room packed away with my bag, but at least we were able to take pictures with our cellphones. (I hate taking pictures with my cellphone) 
Our tour guide was a super sassy and a beautiful cuban dressed in khaki, she puffed on a cigar while she spoke and gave us the run down of how cigars are made. When we arrived on the second floor, you could see their office spaces. Tables after tables, after tables. Workers, all busy making their section of their cigar. The workers were amused by the tourist as well, and kept looking at us, some of the guys were pretty damn cute, and they kept smiling at us, flirting. 
Cubans are hustlers man. When we walked outside, there were so many factory workers who were off duty, who chilling in front of the factory, asking tourists if they wanted to buy boxes of their cigars instead of getting it at the gift shop. I personally wanted my box sealed for travel, so I opted out of that option. I decided to get 3 bottles of rum as well, one for my boss, one for my dad, and the other for my aunt. I purchased some cigars, but I didn’t get anything too crazy. 
I already ran out of money and had to change some more American cash at the hotel. The bell hop who was helping me kept saying I was beautiful and he wouldn’t be against finding someone like me to marry his 25 year old son. I knew it was for papers, I said thank you and walked away. 
We roamed a lot.. the bottom of my dress was ruined and it didn’t bother me that much. The streets are filthy and my toes were worse. We walked aimlessly into Chinatown and entered a Chinese restaurant. I ordered a dish filled with fish and lobster. It was sooo good, the amount was a little too generous compared to the small portions I’ve been getting used to.
The waiter was pretty cute, and was helpful. Cuban men so far have been so handsome. I’m one to give a compliment to a woman, but I have yet to see someone who stood out too much.
When I went to the restroom, Alejandro, our waiter, told me I was beautiful, asked if I had boyfriend and if I wanted to be friends. I asked how would that even work. You guys barely have internet. He told me he had Facebook, and we could be friends long distance. He asked if I have heard of a certain song and when I responded no, the television that was over us started to play some music. He told me to sit down and watch the video. Even though I understood it, I asked him to explain it to me. The video was about two friends, who became lovers, and lived across the map from each other. They went off even 20 years and up, just being friends apart. I smiled, and he slipped me his house phone number, which I wont be able to use, and his full name so I can find him on Facebook. His other coworkers, 2 pretty girls just looked on by and asked me my name for him. Hmm… maybe he’s done this before.
We walked some more, and i switch lenses so I can get some detailed shots of the people and the architecture. Even though some things were old and dusty, everything, absolutely everything had some kind of history to it. Tonight we were supposed to have dinner at La Floridita, but we walked in right now instead. The place was packed, this is definitely a tourist spot, we could barely move. When Krys and Julian found a table, the Chilean couple next to me gladly let me have their spare chair. I loved the live band that was playing. I wish there was enough space to dance. 
While walking towards our casa particular, we bumped into a few kids playing soccer in the street. Oli started with them, and because i had a few toys in my bag I started to give them away. I didn’t have much, but they were all shoving and trying to get their own. When we got to our casa, we grabbed the rest of the toys we had, and Olivia had a bunch. We walked three blocks up to where we saw them, and when they saw us they ran to us. They were so excited, and trying to grab everything they possibly could, Olivia gave away, coloring books, markers, crayons, nerf footballs, toy cars, paddle balls and candies. These boys were not about sharing. A little old abuela came walking towards us with a baby girl in hand and another little girl in hand. She asked if we had anything took give her for the girls. We all felt so bad, we’ve already given everything away. Krys wanted to stop by a candy store, and see if she could buy a whole bunch of candies for them, but there wasn’t one close. 
We went to hang out by The Malecon. While they all disputed what their plans were for the next day, I was busy playing with my camera making light trails with the fort-castle in the background. They wanted to go to the beach in the morning and I was perfectly fine staying in by myself. They all kept making plans and I just followed along with them, which is fine for the most part, but I know the next vacation I take will be a solo one. I wont have to please anyone but myself. I can roam the street I want to, plan my day the way I want to, eat where I want to, wake up and go to sleep when I want to. The girls stayed walking el malecon, enjoying the night. 
. I went home, took a wonderful shower and washed the pollution out of my hair. I stayed in a towel and just chilled in the balcony, with my wet hair, feet up, with a wonderful view, a great breeze, the quiet, all while drawing a commission piece for a client. About an hour later they came by, I threw the keys down for them and stayed up a little with them. I was having horrible back pains, sharp pains that would startle me ever time I turned.
Since have any candles, Tanya went into the kitchen, grabbed two forks and stuck newspaper on top of them, shoved them in the cake and lit the paper on fire.
What the hell… I was ready for the place to burn down… but it ended up working either way. We sang happy birthday and the birthday girl made her wish. I had the worst sleep that night, I was on the verge of crying from all the pain my back was giving me, every time I tossed and turned the pain never seemed to go away, I just wanted someone to hug me so tight, so my back would crack. I thought about someone but I tried my best to let it pass.
Category: Photo Journals
Cuba: Rough Night In Old Habana
Today is my sister’s birthday, I won’t be able to celebrate with her but I made sure to send her a message right before I boarded the plane. Today is also our last day in Matanzas. We have a late check out, so the girls went out for a run, while I enjoy the house to myself, the quiet and the need to not rush.Mitchell knocks on our door, he’s here and ready to drive us to Old Habana. He picks up my suitcase and throws it in the car. Instead of paying attention to the scenery, I start watching the episodes of The Office I downloaded before I arrived. Cuba is great, yet I’m already thinking of the next trip I want to have, by myself.
We arrive at our third casa particular. We’re right in the center of Old Havana, our place is a railroad apartment with dim lighting. I’m pretty tired.
Cuba makes me realize how spoiled we are. Internet access, and the food. As soon as I get back to New York I want my mother to cook me some oxtail, or maybe get myself a real burger. The food here is not the best, but it´s edible and it’s better than starving. Sometimes we get lucky though. El Fígaro is right around the corner, and it´s been recently aired on the Diner Drivers and Dives.. with guy fiere. The waiter was nice and spoke English, and started flirting with Tanya. I ordered ropa vieja and it was delicious. Thank goodness. The sangria was sour, and so was the limonada I ordered, but the food, no complaints.
Today we will be attempting to go to the Fabrica de Arte, once again. We tried to go before and it was closed, so we ended up going to La Casa de Música instead. Tonight we didn’t have the best of luck either. We met Rodney, another taxi driver who did his best to take us to a dancing spot but that didn’t work out. We ended up paying for a cab to take us there, and bring us right back. Wack. We stopped by a bar really close to our house and I ordered the infamous drink Cuba Libre. It was named after the slogan of the revolution since Fidel Castro used to drink it all the time. It´s basically a rum and coke with lime, Tanya had 2 mojitos, and Oli ordered herself a pina colada. 
We talked for a few hours, and like always I´m the first one who’s ready to call it a night. I´m getting so old man. We pass by the restaurant we were at earlier and the waiter, Jean Carlos asks us if we wanted to go to a bar and continue the night. We were really thinking about it, but changed our minds at last minute. Now, were currently upstairs, and the girls are still talking… I don’t know how they do it. How can you have so much to say? We planned our day for tomorrow and I´m ready to call it quits. I stayed up a bit to write and draw, until tomorrow. Night ya’ll.
Cuba: Making it to Matanzas
It’s our last day in Habana, our check out and taxi arrival is supposed to be at 10am. Beatriz, our lovely host meets us at the airbnb and watches us do our last minute packing from the couch. I leave two dresses for her, and two Yankee fitteds for Jovani. I thank them for being so amazing, and stick the post it on the items, leaving them where she can clearly find them. It’s 10:20am now and our taxi still hasn’t arrived. Olivia says she confirmed the reservation, but we’re stuck waiting. We find the house number for the second spot we’re staying at, and give them a call. They didn’t know we confirmed the taxi. Beatriz asks them to head out this way right now, we’re waiting and she has other apartments that she needs to be at. I apologize for the inconvenience and she insists its no trouble. The cab should be here at 1pm, and since we have plenty of time to kill, we decide to go for a walk and roam the neighborhood for a while. We had yet to do that since we arrived, and have been taking taxis everywhere.
The streets are beautiful, I love the colorful houses and the rustic feel to most of it. The island is poor, but many of the houses start to look more modern. We go into a restaurant and order some food, it’s almost 1pm and we don’t want to miss this ride. I ask for a to go box and dash out. Our driver is waiting for us in front of the house. We hand Beatriz the keys and hop on. I’m not feeling too well today, this migraine is killing me. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I haven’t been drinking much water. I fall asleep on Tanya’s lap and two hours later I open my eyes. We’re officially in Matanzas. Matanzas is a major industrial town with an import port for exporting sugar. Their mostly known for their many bridges, and they were many!
Our second airbnb host was sweet, while we wait at the restaurant that’s in her backyard, we pull out our takeout boxes and start to eat. My pescado was delicious, and not salty which is just what my doctor recommends I start doing. She brings us a frothy coconut juice and its delicious. Tanya goes off chasing a hawk that keeps flying above us. I named him Henry, while Luna, the cute little puppy that roams the backyard makes his way towards us. He is so damn cute and not shy when it comes to being held. He just lays there waiting for you to pet him.
Our apartment is cozy and fancier than the last. The first thing you notice is a hot tub with a gorgeous green tile right next to a bar. Oh, we will be using that later. We take a 30 minute nap, and head right back out. Every other car that passed us was honking at us, we got catcalled or was whistled at. Either the local men really love exotic women, or they just love women in general. Tanya’s rule No.1: Don’t make eye contact! I chuckle, because I find it harmless. As soon as they catcall they don’t do much after, they walk away.
When we get back we open up the bottle of rum we had started at Tropicana and wait for the hot tub to fill up. Hot tub minus the hot. The water was cool and there were no bubbles. I decide to go in with only panties, and Olivia joins me in my free titties stance. We talk boys, heartbreaks, work life, family life and bond over old memories, all while trying to plan out new ones. At this point all of us are just chilling in the tub bra less, with our boobs floating in the water. I open up a bottle of wine and continue on with our stories.
