Retro-post: Our last day in Cuba

This is the last of our Retro-posts about our time in Cuba.

Our last day in Cuba started with a slow beach morning in Varadero. After lunch we were picked up by our trusted taxi-driver Mario for the two-hour drive back to Havana.

During our way back we did a short stop at a viewpoint at a rather amazing bridge spanning over a deep gorge. It was built in the 1950s and measures 120 meters from its highest point to the bottom of the gorge.

Once back in Havana we again stayed with Alberto in his casa particular “Piso20”. We packed our bags and in the evening we all went out for a dinner together.

In the morning we woke up to a windy Havana. Tilda and I took our final walk down to the sea and “El Malecon” where Havana displayed a different kind of sea then before, with rough waves spraying water onto the sidewalk.

We did some final shopping and the last hours before going to the airport we went to a small afro-cuban community near the flat where a rumba band was playing.

We had an emotional goodbye from Alberto and his son Daniel outside the flat before we entered the taxi. Inside the taxi Vlora and I took each others hands, exchanged some kisses and felt damn proud of being able to change our plans like we did and have a really nice Cuba adventure as a family although it turned out different than originally planned, and we definitely want to return when Tilda is a few years old and redo some of our original plans.

Retro-post: Varadero excursions

During our time at the resort we did some excursions to escape the beach-life. One day we took the bus into the tranquil town of Varadero just to have a coffee and walk-around a little bit. 

There were a lot dogs and horses in Varadero and as you can see on Tildas face seeing a horse is one of the best things that could happen.

We also did a longer full-day excursion. We rented a car and went to Matanzas, the city in between Varadero and Havana. 

On the way back we visited some rather amazing lime stone caves, las Cuevas de Bellamar and in the evening we went to the nearby city Cardenas.

Cardenas is a real Cuban city in the sense that it is not the by Cuban standards well-developed capital Havana nor the tourist-funded Varadero. It was interesting to see that side of Cuba. A friend of ours in Malmö is from Cardenas so we also took the opportunity to visit her parents. Our initial 2 months plan included living with them for a week. It took us quite some time to find their house since street signs is not that common in Cuban towns but after asking some 15 persons we finally found it. They were surprised to say the least to suddenly have a Swedish family knocking on their door.

Meeting old friends in a different Spain

Naturally our stay in Asturias is a lot about catching up with people and meeting old friends we have not seen in a long time. It is however a different Spain compared to when we left. The consequences of the financial crisis are always present and almost all of our friends are struggling to some extent with their everyday life and making both ends meets. Almost none of our university friends are working within their profession but are instead switching between different temporary employments and the future is uncertain for many of them. When walking around you also clearly note changes in the street-life and atmosphere. Coffee shops are empty, stores are closed and bars that used to be full only have a handful of guests. Spain definitely has a long way left to go before recovering from the crisis.

However it is really nice and sometimes very emotional to catch up with all those friends and there are some cases worth mentioning particularly.  When Vlora finished here degree and left Spain her friend from Kosovo, Rrezarta, was in a very uncertain position. Through years of hard work and determination she and her boyfriend Maikel have however been able to create a good life-situation. By working as a waiter and as a teacher and research assistant Rrezarta was able to finance on her own account her PhD studies and she now has a PhD degree and is working at the university as a researcher and university teacher. They have been able to buy an apartment and it is very nice to see how life has eventually turned out for this ambitious and struggling couple.

Today we also spent the day with Ana, a close friend who supported us a lot during the time when Vlora still lived in Spain and I lived in Sweden. We often stayed with her when I visited Spain.

During my first months in Spain I hitchhiked from my dorm into the town Gijon. Nico picked me up on a scooter and this was the start of our friendship. Nico supported me a lot during my stay in Spain and he has also visited me in Sweden. Yesterday we went to Cijon to meet him. Unfortunately he has had a very hard year both personally and professionally and is really struggling with everyday life.  The underfunded Spanish social security system is giving him far from enough support but he is a strong guy and I’m sure he will be able to sort things out. It was very nice to meet him again and present Tilda to him and his son.

Retro-post: Beach routines

After a bit more than one week in Havana we followed our new travel plan and went for a 10 day all-inclusive 100% tourist experience at a resort close to Varadero.

Describing each and everyday at the resort in Varadero doesn’t make much sense since they where all relaxing days and pretty much all followed the same routine.

After breakfast we normally took a nice morning swim in the sea with Tilda. As always she loved the water and was really excited when playing in the waves.

After all that playing a one-year old becomes tired and needs a relaxing morning nap on the beach, sometimes followed by a nice refreshing sip of coconut water.

In the afternoon we often played around the pool area. Tilda would have thrown herself into the deep end of the pool with no hesitation. That combined with her newly acquired skills of walking meant that we constantly had to watch her around the pool.

The time in Varadero turned out exactly as expected and although it was not the genuine Cuba-experience we first planned for it was a more manageable adventure and Tilda really enjoyed the time at the resort.

Asturias - Where it all began

Vlora lived in Asturias for 7 years and I lived there for a little bit more then one year.  Vlora left Kosovo as a very young adult, thus she formed a great part of her personality in Spain. In Asturias we met each other and we have a lot of nice memories from our time there. This little beautiful piece of our planet situated in the north of Spain will always have a special place in our hearts.

None of us have been back here since Vlora moved to Sweden six years ago. Being back here is really a walk down the memory lane and our first two days have been full of nice nostalgic moments where we have walked around Oviedo, showing Tilda where it all began and letting Tilda meet our friends in Spain.

We are staying with Maikel and Rrezarta. Vlora shared room with Rrezarta during seven years so they are really close friends and living with them is great. Tilda is having a great time together with them.

We have visited the university where Vlora studied and where Rrezarta is now working as-well as the dorm where they lived for seven years.

One great moment was when we found the bar where we first met. If it had not been for me visiting friends in Oviedo that evening for many years ago and if we hadn’t entered that bar there would be no common life and no Tilda today. It was a truly special moment entering that bar and sharing our story with the owner.