Matanzas, Cuba
Staples
Hayagriva and I stayed at a very decent bed and breakfast. We woke up to get our usual regimen of chanting japa. At the first opportunity we took a stroll down "Boulevard" where no vehicles come through. At dawn people are found at bakeries, much like the convergence of people at a Tim Horton's coffee place in Canada. There are enough bakeries that line-ups for the daily bread rations are not too long. Bread seems to be the staple in Cuba if not rice and black beans.
We were happy to break bread along with cut papaya and guava fruit at our bed and breakfast where Sahil, Brhat and Frederic joined us. Then off we went to Varadero and then enroute to Matanzas. Everywhere we travel on the island of Cuba I see people are quite prone to the outdoors. Young men are out playing in the soccer fields. Cubans are the most "in shape" people I've seen.
At one stage of our journey one of our monks needed to tend to the bladder room so we did stop at a corner gas station. I told the cab driver I would proceed ahead walking. "Por favor, pick me up down the road." Fifteen minutes later the car pulls up and the man is enwrapped in laughter. He didn't realize that in that short amount of time you can span the edge of several driveways and several blocks of streets, in this case passing by a factory and several fields. It floored him, really.
The last event in Cuba was another one of those electrifying chanting sessions, a talk from 15.5 of the Gita, a minor snack, and then, goodbyes. Just to demonstrate her love for those of us who came from Canada, middle aged Chaitanya Priya, handed me packets of salt and pepper to address the blandish food we sometimes contend with in Cuba.
It was hugs and kisses amongst all, and then we parted for the last sleep at Riu Resort.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
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