Fifth Day - The Cuba Diary

Day Five: American ride, dolphins and the celeb feel again

The same guy who had arranged accommodation for us in Santiago had hooked us up with a personal taxi driver for the day. After breakfast we found our ride, a black American old car with a driver, waiting for us outside.

Off we went, for an adventure out of Santiago.

One hour drive took us to our first destination:

The aquarium of Baconao.

First we got to see a dolphin and sea lion show. The sun was shining from the clear sky and we were sure to get burnt!

The fun was just starting as after the show we got to experience what was in Sanni's words: "The only thing I want from our Cuba trip!" THIS:

After the audience had left we got the opportunity to swim with the dolphins by paying a little extra. The dolphins kissed us, danced with us, sang for us and gave us a flying ride.

Sanni and I felt just like a little boy who asked his daddy: "Dad, can we do this every day, pleaaase?"

The journey continued to Siboney beach which was full of locals and locals only. We were an attraction being the only white ones. People gathered around us, secretly took pictures and stared. A few had the guts to come and speak and ask to take a picture with us.

Some massage men tried to sell their services to us. Unfortunately the information came too late as we had agreed upon a lunch date and didn't have the time for a massage before.

The only thing I regret not doing on this trip is getting a massage - at this beach.

Seriously, 6CUC for 45min? Heaaaveeeen.

Had lunch at a friend of our driver's. Gosh I miss this food. Who says Cuban food is bad? If you eat at a hotel, well then yes. But go eat with Cuban families and you're bound to fall in love with the crunchy food banana and self caught fish in oil. Yum-my!

It was time to head back to the city. Santiago.

After freshening up we headed off to the city again to seek for more musical experiences. Santiago is known as the most cultural city of Cuba with its broad live music scene, large range of street musicians and multicultural environment. Reggae, rock, salsa, pop, heavy metal, jazz, rumba, trova, guaguancó...you name it. Lovers for everything can be found!

Popped by the Casa de la Trova, a local music house where both locals and tourists come to mix up, sip a few Cuba libres, listen to traditional Cuban sounds, get wiggly and shake the bumbum. Just like in Casa de la Tradiciones, you will never be left alone. Dance once, dance all night long.

We even bumped into my boyfriend from the previous evening. Should have guessed he'd be around. <3

On the way home to eat we met some of our lovelies again. Neighbor kids. Had a photoshoot sesh, taught them how cameras are used and everybody got the chance to pose. It was so amazing to see how the kids found such great joy out of our moments together. They always greeted us with hugs and kisses, and never forgot to smile. It was as if the only facial expressions the people had were joy.

We learnt from them as they learnt from us. I can't help but to smile as I write, as I think about our experiences.

After eating we headed back off to the city with the guidance of two rastafaris. The guys weren't really building up trust by being socially awkward and replying to questions in very weird ways. We felt uncomfortable and slowly ditched the guys as we discretely separated to go our own way.

The day had been long. Our mood wasn't energetic enough to wiggle up to any more salsa or sip the first and last mojito of the night so we simply headed back home, to our Santiago home.

<3

Linda

pictures by me, sanni, yuri, ander and mercedes.

Easter in Oslo

Karen is visiting!

Oslo is dead. Ghost town.

Easter makes everyone travel up to their cottages and visit family.

Hiking, climbing and just being in the nature is what the Norwegians do.

While they eat a huge amount of 'kvikklunsj'.

Thankfully Tina and me have our Easter family - Karen.

We've been around Holmenkollen, Opera huset, shopping streets (with closed shops) and such.

We spent quite some time at Frogner parken. See the result of the trip under:

We are invited for an Easter dinner at Ingar's house. Easter family expanding!

How is/was your Easter? Any eggs or bunnies?

xo

Linda and the Easter family

PS:

I boiled eggs for the first time today. But for some reason I preferred eating the Easter egg on the left...

All pictures from Karen's camera - taken by all of us three.

Need for speed

Yeah, just as I hoped. The longboard community is just as welcoming in Oslo as it was in London.

People willing to teach, people willing to learn.

A family.

A few shots from today's session at St. Hanshaugen park. My first session.

I can't wait to get a new board. I can't wait to learn more about sliding. I can't wait till I have more stability. I can't wait till I have the courage to go down from the top of the St. Hanshaugen hill.

This summer will be sk8mazing!

Fourth Day - The Cuba Diary

Day Four: Santiago and salsa

Listen to Esteban's 'Santiago' as you read this!

Reached Santiago around 1pm on Friday 9th March. After a 15-16 hour bus ride in a full bus we were really looking forward to finding a casa particular to crash at. Sleeping in the bus wasn't the biggest success, especially as my seat was broken and the bus was freezing cold.

As we had had trouble getting bus tickets to Santiago we decided to buy tickets to Trinidad immediately when arriving to Santiago. This way we'd at least be on board for sure!

But yay, what a nice surprise awaited outside the bus terminal doors: a thirty headed crowd of crazy fans and stalkers. I thought we'd get to be alone, peacefully, trying to search for the perfect accommodation. False thoughts, silly. We tried to pass all these men and walk out of the doors heading towards destination unknown. Now that was a struggle! They all called my name 'Linda, Linda', offered taxies and tried to sell us accommodation in their houses. Is my blog seriously that big in Cuba? What a celebrity feel it was.

For those who are thinking 'what on earth, is that girl crazy?' - no. Linda means pretty in Portuguese/Spanish. That's why the 'knew my name'.

Let me tell you a funny name -story by the way.

When I was little, very little, a just born baby, my parents and me went traveling around Portugal for a few months. Some Portuguese girls were very excited about me and told my parents: 'Linda bebe, Linda bebe!' Mum and dad hadn't quite understood the situation and thought 'how on earth do these girls know the name of our child? this is creepy!' Later on it occurred to them that the word 'linda' actually had a meaning.

I'm just thankful that at least it meant pretty and not earthworm or something!

After getting rid of all these 'fans' and salesmen, walking around who knows where and sweating like pigs because of our long sleeved and pant clothing we finally decided to take a taxi. As a protest to the unpleasant welcome we had, we wanted to take a taxi from somewhere else than these too eager salesmen. We found a bici taxi and the man asked us if we wanted a ride. 3 pesos and he would bike us to the city center. The deal didn't sound bad at all.

But oh my goooosh. If we had only known that Santiago was actually called the San Francisco of Cuba we would have NEVER taken a bici taxi. Poor old guy was cycling us and our luggage up crazy hills that I wouldn't have even biked myself up on. We could see how his skin started getting wet spots of sweat and how his clothes started turning a darker color. Plus, Santiago being probably the hottest city in Cuba, guess how bad we felt. The vibe of the city was very...historical. Felt like we'd gone bad centuries. And I felt like a queen using slavery. Believe me, it did not feel good.

So a word of advice: don't use bici taxies in Santiago.

We tipped the guy and hoped he'd survive back home.

By the way, bici taxies are not even legal for tourists to use. This is why the guy had to leave us a bit outside of the main streets of Santiago. I would make the taxies illegal for anyone - such slavery seriously!

We tried to find accommodation tips from the Lonely Planet -book I had bought. Unfortunately (or later to our luck) a guy started following us and offering help, accommodation, anything we wanted. I was already getting pretty annoyed by all these guys following us and never leaving alone. In Cuba if someone helps you, you should pay for the help given. We didn't want to be paying people if we don't ask for help! Get lost man, I was thinking.

The few places recommended by Lonely Planet were full. This guy was still annoying us but as we were tired of walking, we decided to give him a chance. Fine - take us to this amazing accommodation of yours.

Thankfully we listened to him. We were welcomed to a lovely family in a lovely area in a nice house. We went into our room, took a shower and rested for a while before heading out to explore the city.

Accommodation 25pesos a night per room.

We also ate at the house. Fish and rice! But YUMMY for once. This fun also cost us like 15pesos all together. I miss the food the Cuban families made us. The fish was delicious.

Our new best friends! Neighbors from our Santiago -home street.

Ronaldo, Fernando, Yuri, Antonio...

Our next stop in the evening was Casa De La Tradiciones!

We were warmly welcomed to the salsa house of locals. It was only locals plus two Portuguese men who were pretty much locals as they had been to Santiago tens of times.

The night included tens of pictures, tens of new friends, tens of men asking to dance with them, tens of friendly people, live performers and one way too strong pina colada.

...and a new boyfriend!

This guy, whose name I unfortunately can't remember, had apparently been a very famous Cuban singer a couple years back. Anyone recognize? I have no idea of the name!

After a lot of convincing my new boyfriend got me on the dance floor. My favorite move that I learnt was definitely a 'wiggly, wobbly' legs one. Wish I had video of that for you, but unfortunately I don't.

In the evening when we came home our host mummy came into our room wearing her pajamas, just making sure we were alright. Cute!

<3

Linda

xxx

ps. Sanni's post of Santiago day 1 here.

Oslo life

Exciting!

I've now moved in to my new apartment.

About Thursday, the day I arrived to Oslo, click here.

Friday I came to visit the new apartment and had dinner with Tina, my friend from exchange and new house mate. ;-)

Saturday I moved in. Bought a bed and brought it to the apartment after which is was Ikea time. Then back home to arrange the room and start unpacking my bags. Everything went faster than expected and so it was time to go to a gig of three Norwegian artists/bands that I hadn't really listened to before (does it count if I listened during the time I was arranging my room?). Actually very good gigs, a couple of very good singers and amazing atmosphere - the Norwegian really love their music. ;-) Plus, have you ever got cupcakes after a gig? Yeah, well at this gig you did!

The artists/bands were:

Mikhael Paskalev (might get interesting if he plans on making an international career as 'paska' means 'shit' in Finnish)

Jonas Alaska (who had a very Amish -style going on in his clothing)

Team Me (probably the best ending of a gig I've seen, very powerful)

Sunday we went out into the woods with J-Lo and Ingarito.

And today, Monday, I've been doing the groceries for the first time. How much does chevre cost in Finland? Cos the cheapest, and only, one I found in the store today was 34NOK = 4,5€ for 120g.

At least I got to eat my salad craving of the month: honey chevre salad with avocado and tuna. Whilst checking out the album of new Finnish little superstar: Robin.

Any Finns living in Oslo and reading my blog? Any suggestions for where to meet around my age Finns in Oslo? For the first time I am in an environment where I don't know any other Finns and can't speak Finnish, my mother tongue.

Anyway, now I'm off to meet some of Tina's friends. Norwegians!

Feels like the weekend just continues going on and on...

xoxo

Linda