After I finished packing my suitcase, I went down to breakfast where I met Len and Don. At about 9:30, I moved my suitcase into Mike and Dave’s room as they had late check-out. We were due in the lobby at 10:00, where we were met by our guide, Abel.
Our first stop of the day was the University of Havana. For the most part, the physical condition of the University was better than average. Mike and Dave walked into some of the buildings and classrooms. They commented that there were no lights in the halls, but the classrooms were well lit.
University of Havana
University of Havana
On campus of University of Havana
University of Havana Campus
University of Havana Campus
University of Havana Campus
University of Havana Campus
University of Havana Campus - Similar to Columbia University
Looking down from Statue at University of Havana Campus
University of Havana CampusOur next stop was the monument in a park to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. The party line in Havana is that the Rosenbergs were not guilty.
Memorial dedicated to the Rosenbergs
Our next stop was at a vegetable market where farmers bring in their produce to be sold to the general population. Prices were higher than what can be obtained with the ration card. Places like this are where people go when the rationed food runs out. The fruits and vegetables looked good, but I was concerned about the cleanliness of the meat.
Vegetable Market
Vegetable Market
Where the rationed food was distributed
Meat! It just lay on top of the counter. There is no refrigeration.Our next stop was a park with a statue of John Lennon sitting on a bench. Statues of this type are all over Havana. There was a guard who held the glasses which he put on the statue when people came over to take pictures.
John Lennon in park with Mike
John Lennon
John Lennon song translated into Spanish
Friendship HouseOur last expedition was a trip through the forest, which we were told was original growth. We stopped at one point where a man had a 1930 Ford car.
1930 Ford
Forest on edge of Havana
Mike in 1930 Ford
Mike in 1930 Ford
Forest views
Front of 1930 Ford
Forest
Forest Views
Forest Scene
Rumble seat of 1930 FordWe headed back to the hotel. After lunch by the side of the pool, I got my luggage and we headed to the airport at 2:00 pm for our 5:15 flight. We were in the waiting area by about 2:45. The board announced that our flight was on time until it stated that it “checking-in”. This continued until the plane should have left. Dave and Don tried to find out what was happening. Eventually we found out that the plane was still in Miami and our flight would leave at8:00 PM. I was upset about the fact that I had been told to book a flight after 3:00 PM and 5:45 PM is definitely after 3:00 PM. If the plane took off on time, there was a Delta flight that left at 8:00 PM which I could have made. We landed at 9:00 PM and fortunately we went through customs and immigration reasonably quickly. I was told that there was an American Airlines desk right outside of customs. I went there and they were able to put me on a 10:30 flight which arrived in LaGuardia. Just my luck, my suitcase was not on the plane. I went to the baggage office where I was given a receipt. I am supposed to hear before noon and if I don’t, I was given a number to call.
I finally got the bag shortly before midnight on Saturday!
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