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Archive for February 1st, 2010

Hola Varadero!

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Today 10 of us (4 adults, 6 kids) bused into the nearby city of Varadero for some shopping. We hit a couple flea markets and got some great deals on souvenirs. It was fun to be in the city and see what was there.

At one point, we were chastised by a police officer for crossing the road where we shouldn’t (even though the whole reason we did it was for one of the kids to meet the officer).

We got to ride on the top level of a crowded double-decker bus from Varadero, along the highway that ran along the ocean, back to our resort. Some of us were almost run over as we ran to catch said bus, and one child (Andrew) was almost left behind in the rush, but a kind man with one leg called out to remind us not to forget him. You can imagine how happy this whole situation made me (I was happy to wait on the side of the road we were on for the bus we were waiting for to arrive, and not run across main street to try to catch a different one). I was glad to sit away from the group on the way home so I could sulk by myself for awhile.

We did all arrive back at the resort safe and sound, but not without one of us (Josh) slipping and falling in the icky-est stickiest mud ever, first.

It was a tiring day filled with many experiences that I won’t forget.

Being able to sulk by myself wasn’t the only good thing that came from sitting alone on the bus; I was also able to really look at my surroundings without having to keep any children in line. Varadero is beautiful. The buildings are old. Some of them don’t have glass windows; only shutters instead.

There were many clothes lines up and in use with hundreds of items of clothing hanging out for all to see. One building looked like it had had a fire recently, but that it was still in use as a dwelling. There are a lot of window air conditioners. It is all so different from what I see everyday in Canada, but not bad. Just so different.

This evening after dinner I purchased a small bottle of Coca Cola for a small taste of home and a bit of stress relief. It was yummy enough (though still a different taste than home because it was imported from Mexico), but I think tonight I’ll try a real drink. Something fruity.