Trinidad

March13th:  

We left Cienfuegos at 1040am to go to Trinidad ($30.00 for 83k). The taxi was a 1959 Pontiac. We chugged/bounced/sputtered and shook the whole way there! At one point a group of goats ran out to cross the road, the driver had to stop until they crossed. We got to Casa Smith 12:20 noon.

Trinidad has cobblestone streets which proved to be bumpy walking with Crocs on. I did not like Trinidad at all! Crappy stores/hard to find water! Higher prices on water -- 5000 ml was $2.85 compared to $1.90 in Cienfuegos!

We stayed at Casa Smith for a week. Odalis (owner) was very nice. The room was really big and the water temperature was good, though the shower had shitty pressure.

We didn’t like that there wasn’t a fridge nor an inside table/chairs set. There was lots of street noise, and outdoor music some nights. The bed mattress was very lumpy.

Meal prices were higher, too. Breakfast was $5. I only had bread/papaya/coffee and, twice, I’d had an egg. Dinner was $10. Two nights I had water with supper and was charged $1 each -- not included with meal??! Jeez! Laundry was $5 for one load which is a very fair price considering they wash clothes by hand then hang them outside on a line to dry.

I showed Odalis our winter pics (I showed them to every casa owner) she was amazed at how much snow there was here, and how cold our temperatures are.

The highlight of the stay was Odalis’ Mom. Little Mama is such a sweetie. She has the cutest little voice, we’d listen to her while she was out in the courtyard visiting with friends -- Brian said she sounds just like Topo Gigio (on the Ed Sullivan show) on speed! Hahahaha!  
 

                                                      Their parrot in the courtyard

                                                    Dining in the courtyard

Something different, in Trinidad, is that there are lots of birdcages hanging outside homes and businesses. It must be a “thing” there. 

After a few days, we hired a bici-taxi to take us to La Boca so we could scout out casas for our return trip. The driver stopped at an outdoor stand, he and Brian bought a glass of sugar cane juice -- very sweet! On the way, we saw a mango grove. The ride was soooo bumpy and long – 4k.

We looked at several casas, finally found a nice one with a beautiful mountain view and across from the sea/beach. We made reservations for a week during our return. There are only a few stores with few choices, so we would have to ride into Trinidad for supplies when we stayed there. 

We left La Boca at 12:20pm, walking, until we could find a taxi. WELL! It was 4k to Trinidad, and we walked 2 of it (25 minutes) in full sun, no shade anywhere, and uphill! Only 3 oz. of warmish water left to drink and no place to stop or sit and rest.  At one point, there was a huge bull across the road and heading our way. No place to get away if he came at us (you know bulls have an aversion to red, and I'm a redhead!). Luckily he veered off  the opposite way. Whew!

We finally found a good size rock to sit on and, 5 minutes later, some guy stopped and gave us a ride – we were there in a few minutes. We paid him $3, I would have paid triple that!

The next day, I noticed the soles of my Crocs were worn totally smooth!

After a couple days, Brian said one museum/sight a day is enough. He was tired of trekking around and his left leg had been bothering him. But, he became so restless hanging around the room, that didn’t last but a day.

 

On our last day, we walked to the local square (the Plaza Mayor) to visit a temple.  We saw the offerings of food/drink below the altar of the goddess -- huge decorated cakes, cookies, candy, and different kinds of liquor. There was a big cage of doves. Most were white, one was black & white, and one was solid black. I said "There's one in every family."  *snicker*    

                              The black one was on the floor -- didn't get a good photo of it.