So it's official.....I'm the worst blogger ever. I guess it's just that I've settled in and Cuba really has become home for me. I've found myself a very patient and wonderful Spanish teacher (or should I say Cuban teacher, lol.....there truly is Spanish and then Cuban, they are very different!!). In finding a teacher, I also was adopted into a Cuban family, it's incredible and something that I can't thank the Universe enough for.
In the last couple weeks here is a very brief summary of what has happened:
1) The first slang word I learned was "tiradora" it means "sniper"....it's a long, kind of disturbing story!!
2) My favourite comment EVER is...."wow, your English is so good!!" It's a good thing none of these people know how bad my Spanish is!!
3) I officially know where the police station is and what it's like to be escorted there by the Cuban cops....yet again another LONG story
4) Calgarians love to connect with what's "familiar" to them. Saturdays are my favorite days, one; because it's an entire day with Yaremy, my best girl here in Cuba and two; it's the only day of YYC flights.
5) I'm "official" now, I have a Cuban ID card :-)
6) I could go out dancing EVERY night.....screw going to the gym....being on the dance floor is PURE freedom for me (Havana Club in VRA is incredible!!) and with the way the Cuban's dance it's an INCREDIBLE workout!!
6) I REALLY REALLY love it here and try not think about having to return to Canada for any long period of time. But I also didn't realize HOW many times a week or what hours I actually visited Walmart until I couldn't anymore.
7) I'm so glad I don't have to warm my car up or scrape my windows before heading to work!! EVEN when my little Autos doesn't know if it wants to start of not, lol.
8) People ask the WEIRDEST questions :-|.....do I look like the Canadian embassy or a counselor?!?
9) I wish Cuba new what "gluten or wheat free" is (okay so 'maybe' I'm missing the food from home just a bit)
10) Who knew that one of the things you would have to watch out for while driving on the highway at night was crabs (yup....the crustaceans) crossing!! They actually do a lot of damage by puncturing tires and thus causing accidents.
11) The driving schools here need to learn/teach the importance of driving with your BRIGHTS on at night and what to do when facing a car.....TURN THEM OFF!!
My day to day is starting to flow better, more understanding, more routine, which I find comforting. I don't go a day without learning something new or appreciating all that I have and where I am though.....honestly, it's the little things, that I hope I NEVER take for granted. An ocean view, good coffee, REAL human contact (I love the kisses for greeting and the fact that people look you in the eye and actually talk to you instead of always being on their cell phones!!), and well constantly being complimented on my eyes and smile doesn't hurt the ego ;-P
If anyone is coming to VRA....wanna bring a package down??? I'm running short on items that I just simply can't get here....just thought I'd throw it out there ;-0
Another day at the office...after a full airport day, is now complete so I shall sign off. For all of you that are starting to send me "hate mail" I'm SO SORRY.....I'm not dead, very much alive but just living life here, as selfish as it is. Between the lack of Internet connectivity as well as the lack of time, my connection to life outside of Cuba is few and far between. All I can say is....PLEASE don't take it personally!!!
With besos and abrazos, I wish you Buenas Noches!!!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
My first full month!!
It's Nov first and it's officially the start of my first whole month here in Cuba, as well as the start of "high season" in the industry.....let the madness begin :-)
I'm now into week 3 of being in my new home! I can't believe it's already been over 2 weeks. Last week I did most of the excursions, shot the worst golf game of my life (thank goodness for the double boogie max on each hole for that tournament!), figured out that safety is definitely not a priority in Cuba, had my first day at the airport and picked up a few more Spanish words.
Excursions....I would have to say the Habana Especial (Havana Special) was a huge highlight. It was a long day, but so worth it. Havana is an incredible city, not to mention the irony that exists there. There is "old Havana" and "new Havana" but if you ask me, it's all just old...and older!! Like many Latin American cities, it's busy and crowded, and full of beautiful life and culture. Walking the streets of Havana, you can't help but wonder, "how does Socialism REALLY work?", as everyone and everything is definitely NOT "equal". I already can't wait to go back though. I am keen to hit up the big art market by the bay and start buying beautiful art to decorate my place :-) The paintings are quite simply spectacular!! The Tropicana show is even better than it was 5 years ago when I saw it while on vacation here, a definite must see. Extra bonuses of this day were that there was a great Mom and daughter team on the tour from Spain, and well their Spanish is so much clearer than the Cubans and they were so patient with me that I ended up learning heaps from them, as I spent most of the day and evening with them. And last but not least one of my new friend, Felix, who is a tour guide for Cubanacan was the tour guide. Overall Thursday was a pretty darned good day.
Friday was the day with "my girls".....Vilma and Yaremy, the other two girls on the team here. Because they were away training in Canada when I arrived, to give us some "bonding time" we went on the Discovery Tour. Another big day, but an absolute BLAST!! On this tour you get a little bit of everything, Jeep off-roading, speedboats down the river, an amazing lunch at a campino outside of Varadero, swimming in caves and snorkelling. And seeing as this was the first and only tour I was able to do with other people I actually know, it was extra exciting. I'm excited for people to start coming to visit so that I can re-do some of the excursions with them, as I know ones like the Seasafari Catameran are going to be hard to get sick off!
As it's always an ongoing adventure with my living accomodations, this past week was no exception, lol. I finally got gas this week to use my camping style cook-top stove....and what makes this extra special is the triple sized propane tank that sits on my balcony with a long hose that reaches from it through to my window and is tastefully taped to the connection on the stove. I was having visions of my balcony and kitchen blowing up from a lightning strike, last night as there was a huge thunder storm!! It's still hit and miss with the hot water, so lets just say "hair wash" day is very dependent on the water, or how brave I'm feeling to stick my head under the shower head. This is quite the adjustment for the girl who LOVES super hot showers :-l
If we're not on "Cuba time" today, I may even get my new car for the season!! The one I'm driving (a Geely sedan) literally sounds like the parts are all falling off it when I drive it. Dad you would have a 'hayday' fixing this thing!! A reliable car here is a must, as I'm driving everyday to either the hotels or the airport, and I certainly don't want to be hanging out with the livestock on the side of the road somewhere.
Yesterday was my first day of hotel briefings....I can't even tell you how much fun I had. It's also really great to see how excited people are when I start to speak and they realize I'm from Canada, and then if they're from out West it's like they've found something to relate to and a sort of comfort away from home. I'm also really thankful now for being a flight attendant and knowing most of the cities quite well, as peoples eyes light up when you point out your favourite restaurant or park or whatever it may be in their hometown. I guess that's human nature is to trust more in the what's familiar or what you can relate too. My team here has been so patient with me on all levels, learning the job, learning the Cubanacan procedures, helping me with my Spanish. I don't think they'll ever understand how much I really appreciate it. Tonight is our team building night, so we're all headed out for dinner here in Varadero and then to one of the local dance halls called Casa La Musica. This will be my first time out dancing in Cuba and needless to say I'm just a bit excited ;-) I just have to learn how to move like the Cuban girls so I don't stand out more than I already do!
Time to get some work done. My schedule should be starting to come more consistent now, give or take a few "unexpecteds" so I will try and update this blog more often. Por ahora....ciao
I'm now into week 3 of being in my new home! I can't believe it's already been over 2 weeks. Last week I did most of the excursions, shot the worst golf game of my life (thank goodness for the double boogie max on each hole for that tournament!), figured out that safety is definitely not a priority in Cuba, had my first day at the airport and picked up a few more Spanish words.
Excursions....I would have to say the Habana Especial (Havana Special) was a huge highlight. It was a long day, but so worth it. Havana is an incredible city, not to mention the irony that exists there. There is "old Havana" and "new Havana" but if you ask me, it's all just old...and older!! Like many Latin American cities, it's busy and crowded, and full of beautiful life and culture. Walking the streets of Havana, you can't help but wonder, "how does Socialism REALLY work?", as everyone and everything is definitely NOT "equal". I already can't wait to go back though. I am keen to hit up the big art market by the bay and start buying beautiful art to decorate my place :-) The paintings are quite simply spectacular!! The Tropicana show is even better than it was 5 years ago when I saw it while on vacation here, a definite must see. Extra bonuses of this day were that there was a great Mom and daughter team on the tour from Spain, and well their Spanish is so much clearer than the Cubans and they were so patient with me that I ended up learning heaps from them, as I spent most of the day and evening with them. And last but not least one of my new friend, Felix, who is a tour guide for Cubanacan was the tour guide. Overall Thursday was a pretty darned good day.
Friday was the day with "my girls".....Vilma and Yaremy, the other two girls on the team here. Because they were away training in Canada when I arrived, to give us some "bonding time" we went on the Discovery Tour. Another big day, but an absolute BLAST!! On this tour you get a little bit of everything, Jeep off-roading, speedboats down the river, an amazing lunch at a campino outside of Varadero, swimming in caves and snorkelling. And seeing as this was the first and only tour I was able to do with other people I actually know, it was extra exciting. I'm excited for people to start coming to visit so that I can re-do some of the excursions with them, as I know ones like the Seasafari Catameran are going to be hard to get sick off!
As it's always an ongoing adventure with my living accomodations, this past week was no exception, lol. I finally got gas this week to use my camping style cook-top stove....and what makes this extra special is the triple sized propane tank that sits on my balcony with a long hose that reaches from it through to my window and is tastefully taped to the connection on the stove. I was having visions of my balcony and kitchen blowing up from a lightning strike, last night as there was a huge thunder storm!! It's still hit and miss with the hot water, so lets just say "hair wash" day is very dependent on the water, or how brave I'm feeling to stick my head under the shower head. This is quite the adjustment for the girl who LOVES super hot showers :-l
If we're not on "Cuba time" today, I may even get my new car for the season!! The one I'm driving (a Geely sedan) literally sounds like the parts are all falling off it when I drive it. Dad you would have a 'hayday' fixing this thing!! A reliable car here is a must, as I'm driving everyday to either the hotels or the airport, and I certainly don't want to be hanging out with the livestock on the side of the road somewhere.
Yesterday was my first day of hotel briefings....I can't even tell you how much fun I had. It's also really great to see how excited people are when I start to speak and they realize I'm from Canada, and then if they're from out West it's like they've found something to relate to and a sort of comfort away from home. I'm also really thankful now for being a flight attendant and knowing most of the cities quite well, as peoples eyes light up when you point out your favourite restaurant or park or whatever it may be in their hometown. I guess that's human nature is to trust more in the what's familiar or what you can relate too. My team here has been so patient with me on all levels, learning the job, learning the Cubanacan procedures, helping me with my Spanish. I don't think they'll ever understand how much I really appreciate it. Tonight is our team building night, so we're all headed out for dinner here in Varadero and then to one of the local dance halls called Casa La Musica. This will be my first time out dancing in Cuba and needless to say I'm just a bit excited ;-) I just have to learn how to move like the Cuban girls so I don't stand out more than I already do!
Time to get some work done. My schedule should be starting to come more consistent now, give or take a few "unexpecteds" so I will try and update this blog more often. Por ahora....ciao
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