Cocina criolla y Candida's Casa
Sunday
The best we could say about the flight out was that it was on time. Vegetable pasta, ice cream and cheese and pickle sandwich was not a Virgin gastronomic experience. The arrival of a Jumbo at Havana leads to all 3 luggage carousels taking the luggage at once. People were running between them. A fairly short queue at the currency exchange - sadly the pound is down even against Cuban Convertibles. I.4 to the pound now, 1.8 last summer. Fewer mojitos ??
Taxi to the hotel - 35 minutes on empty roads, even in the centre. No advertising hoardings, nor posters of Fidel or Raul. A few of Che and a few painted revolutionary slogans. Hotel Park View was fine, great views from the restaurant and a great breakfast next day. Then out for a wander at 25 degrees in the evening.
Monday - a wander through old Havana, some areas so reminiscent of small town Spain, beautifully restored. Around the corner, dilapidated tenements have lines of washing outside. Stops for coffee and lunch, a siesta, then off to find our Casa Particular and to meet our hosts for the next 3 days at Candida's. We're there Tuesday to Friday. She and her husband are very friendly and it's certainly going to be a more interesting place to stay than a standard hotel. Their house is in the slightly edgy area of Habana Centro - fewer tourists altogether. We're going to see Cuban life!
Finally to the Plaza Viejo for a dinner of Cuban Criollo cooking - shredded meat. Not bad at all!!
