Cuba Day 6 - Santa Clara and Che Guevara (Last day)

It's our last full day in Cuba.  We drive to a part of Trinidad that was too far to walk to from our lodging.  We had seem the ruins of this church way up on a hill from the last square we were at last night.

Mike and I have remarked to each other often how strange it is to see people using what we think of as old-fashioned modes of transportation using a modern cell phone.  But you see it all the time in Cuba.  The man on the horse below is staring at his cell phone.

Back in the country side on our way to Santa Clara.

On the outskirts of Santa Clara is the oldest still standing watch tower in Cuba.  We did not go closer as Livan said it was like walking the gauntlet of tourist trinket sellers!

Santa Clara is known for its connection to Che Guevara.  Below is the headquarters of the Communist party in Santa Clara.  In front of it is a statue of Che Guevara (4 photos down).

The museum to the Che Guevara and the revolution is in a simulated train wreck of train cars.  I don't remember the whole story, but that is how the revolutionaries infiltrated the town.  They blew up the train track entering into the town.

There were a lot of photos of Che Guevara in his younger, revolutionary stage.

Then we visited the main square of Santa Clara.  There is a large square in the middle surrounded by government buildings.

High school girls below a beautifully blooming tree.  I was surprised by how short the girls skirts were no matter what their age.  Maybe it is more like a skort as the boys wore shorts.

Bullet holes still remain from the revolution days.

Then on to the Che Guevara Mausoleum.  He is buried here as well as about 30 of his compatriots.

We then drove a long - long way back to Havana (passing this sign) and to stay at the same home stay as at the beginning of our adventure.  I should mention the breakfast we were served here every morning in Havana.  Bread that had been sitting out for ours and so pretty dry.  Butter and honey.  Coffee or tea.  A huge plate of fruit - which a Cuban would never eat for breakfast  And a plate with a hot dog sliced in thirds the long way and three slices of tomato.  There was a menu left on our bed that included something blacked out completely - eggs!  They used to serve them, but they are no way too expensive and impossible to get in the city.  We did have them for breakfast when we were further to the east of the country.

The trip to Cuba was so incredibly interesting.  But I am glad we did not stay longer than a week.  It gets really tiresome dealing with showers that have only a trickle of lukewarm water.  Having to through used toilet paper into the waste basket and having that odor to content with all day.  Toilets with no seats or lids.  Using pillows that seem to have lumps of lead in them.  Trying to remember not to put your toothbrush under the faucet, but using bottled water instead.  The noise of the party next door to your bedroom.  All the roads in not very good condition and a car with poor shock absorbers.  

But I shall miss so much.  All the beautiful vintage cars and trying to guess what make they are.  Can I find one I recognize from my own personal past?  The friendliness and beauty of the people.  The beautiful country - city or country side.  The pride the people had in their history.  The fascinating history and culture of the country.  Livan's honesty and purity in trying to explain his country to us.  And seeing these people just like all the other people we have met all over the world just trying to make a good life for themselves and their families no matter what the particular politics or religion of the area is.