Trinidad

It has been a wonderful experience in Cuba. We are staying at different Cuban homes in the city and the families are so friendly and love to talk. Currently we are at the home of a doctor and his wife and son. The home is huge and the gardens are beautiful.

Last night we went to the Museo Romantico and listened to great bands and watched the people dance on the steps of the Plaza Mayor. It was amazing how well they can dance. If only I had continued my Fred Astaire dance lessons with our Twinkle Toes group!!!!

Traveling in a group has been very trying. I really have NO patience. Rather than staying with the group today, Eric and I went off on our own and had a great time hiking to the Parque de Cubana (around 9 miles round trip) and enjoying the waterfall. The group was going in the afternoon by Taxi, but we walked and saved some pesos. Eric is a trooper knowing that I could not handle walking at the pace of the group.

The food has been very different. The highlight is the Flan. It is amazing... I must get their recipe. Cuban food is not spicy and mostly consists of rice, potatoes, a meat (chicken or shrimp so far) and a salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and cabbage. We did have a really good potato soup last night.

Well, tomorrow is the white sand beaches of Cuba. It should be a great time.

Namaste, Paula

Cuba

Cuba is my husbands dream vacation. It is an island still in the 50's with beautiful people, old cars, and towns that are so quaint, clean, and friendly.

We arrived in our room at a beautiful old hotel after standing in lines for immigration, money exchange, and registration. You really have to look at everything in Cuba as "part of the charm" as our guide Tony tells us.

We are amazed at how the towns have maintained the old culture. It is definitely a Socialist country with regulations on everything. Most people rely on side jobs to be able to survive, since the pay is so limited. Christina, one of our travel buddies, got a proposal in one minute last night. Some people are still looking to try and get out of Cuba to have a better (more economical) life.

The people hold no resentment towards Americans, which surprises me. I believe that, if the shoe was on the other foot, it would be different. In fact, they love to see Americans.

We are so happy that we visited Cuba before Capitalism takes over, which would happen if the US embargo was lifted. We understand that neither the US nor the Political party of Cuba want the embargo lifted. It serves a purpose for the Socialist Government of Cuba to keep the embargo in place.

We have met many Americans touring Cuba also. The people, although living at a very low standard of living, are happy as long as they have their music and dance. It definitely is a very family oriented environment.

It is one of the nicest places where I have travelled. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2 weeks of touring the island of Cuba with Eric.

Namaste, Paula

Finally Back

It has been awhile, since my last blog. It has been difficult without a computer. I have been to India and back in the US to celebrate my Dad's 90th birthday. Delhi was a whirlwind, but worth the time.

It was a wonderful birthday party for my Dad. He was really happy to have all his family and friends to visit. It was one of his good days and he seemed to know everyone.

I am off to Cuba the end of the week and will have limited access to email. I will try and write a blog every few days.

Namaste, Paula

Delhi

My last evening in Paro was quiet. I was able to get my last taste of Bhutan Momo.

It was a difficult sleep knowing I was off again to India. I was ready to leave Bhutan. Although wonderful and worth the cost, I think I saw everything that there was to see. Tourism definitely is thriving and I am sure that in a few years, it will be overwhelming. Currently they control it with only one flight per day.

Once again the flight was over the Himalayan Mountains and we could see Anapurna. I really do not have any expectations for Delhi. I didn't read or surf the internet, so I am going in blind. My guide, Malagar, met me at the airport and we started our sightseeing.

I am amazed at the metropolitan city and gardens surrounding the ancient buildings. It is beautiful and clean. Much different than the stories I hear of India. I guess I am in the Capitol. so should have expected it to be really nice. We visited the President's palace and the large and beautiful government buildings.

I already started shopping and found a beautiful rug. I had to use the restroom and Malagar stopped at a great rug shop. The prices are fantastic so I will probably buy it. It doesn't take much for me to shop.

I had my first dinner and definitely overbought and overate. The three types of chicken were so delicious. No alcohol??? Apparently not all restaurants serve alcohol. Malagar is taking me to all the local places. He is great. Thanks Veronica for the recommendation.

It is morning and I have a complete day of sightseeing before going to the airport. It is definitely on the warm side. I have very few summer clothes and NO clean clothes.

Hopefully they will have internet at the airport and I can give you an update of my day.

Namaste, Paula

Paro Festival

My last day in Paro was very special. I spent the day at the festival watching all the dancers in costumes and masks. The festival was held in the Fort, which is spectacular in normal times. It is a holy festival with the monks performing the dances.

There were eight different dances with unique masks. I don't remember them all, but a few were: the black hat dance, the buffalo dance, and the skull dance. You can imagine how colorful and amazing it was to watch them.

The crowds were difficult. I had to tell one lady from the UK to chill out. She was concerned that people were going to sit in front of this one group. By the time everyone was seated, the group was 5 rows back. It was hard to fit all the people in the Fort and everyone was craming in. I guess you can always fit one more in.

Most of the locals were there to see the King and Queen. It was unusual, but they did show up for half the day. Yes, I did get to see a lot of Royalty this trip: King, Queen, Mother Queen, two princes, and one princess. I feel very special.

Everyone sat crossed legged. Most of the tourists ended up standing in back because they couldn't last with their legs like that. Interesting that it did not bother me. I guess my time at Kopan Monastery in meditation has built up my legs.

The rest of the festival is held outside, so it is not so crowded.

I sat with a group of local people and they were so sweet. The one little girl was so beautiful; I kept taking her picture. They kept offering me food. I wasn't sure what the food was so I graciously declined.

The Bhutanese people are beautiful, but their teeth are terrible. They chew this red root nut wrapped in leaves. Their teeth are always red and most have a mouth full of decayed teeth. It must be habit forming, because they were all chewing it.

Tonight was a farewell to Palden and Numgay. There were so willing to indulge me; most of you know I can be high maintenance. I probably won't ever return to Bhutan; I think it was beautiful, but not the dynamic country like Nepal.

Namaste, Paula

Paro

The last two days have been taking long steep hikes up to the most beautiful monasteries, including Tiger's nest. The first day we hiked it was so steep I did not think I would make it, but these very elderly people were ahead of me... I couldn't let them show me up. Many of the locals walk around the monastery many times as a prayer. Not sure how they do it; they are many times limping and hunched over and still walking. The monastery at the top was one of the most spiritual I have been in, even more so than Tiger's Nest.

For the hike to Tiger's Nest, my guides indulged me and we left at 7:30am to beat the crowds. Even with that there were a number of people from China at the monastery when we arrived. I am not sure how they beat me, especially since they had some elderly people with them.

But I did beat the huge crowd of tourists I saw on my way down. The Tiger's Nest is a thrilling experience and on all tourist must do lists. There are many tourists because of the festival, which begins today. Some take donkeys up the hill. It is a difficult climb for 2 hours.

I found a real coffee shop in town and really enjoyed filter coffee. They even had peach cake... delicious. The dessert in Bhutan is typically bananas or apples. Still don't think I have lost weight.

I had another stone bath in a very old rustic farm house last night. Quite the experience.
All in all I am ready to leave. I still don't feel the energy of Nepal. The monasteries are beautiful, but very similar to the ones in Nepal, except for a few very old ones.

Today is the festival and I am not sure what I will see other than more tourists. I have met a lot of people on my journey and we all said we would see each other again at the festival. I am still excited to go and will give you a summary tomorrow.

Namaste, Paula

Beautiful Monasteries

A couple observations about Bhutan. First, the women are beautiful. I think they are the most beautiful of any other Asian country that I have been to. Second, English is a very common language and taught from primary school on. Therefore, it is easy to get around. The kids are so cute; they all want to say hello and ask how I am doing.

Third, Bhutan royalty is honored everywhere. There are few rooms that don't have huge pictures of the King and Queen and the Royal Family. My guide wears a button on his Gho, the traditional dress for me, of the King and Queen. I have never seen anything like it. There are no pictures of the President or any other government official.

Last night was a real treat. There were some Australians working with Bhutan on the democratic election and they were being entertained with the traditional Bhutanese Dance. I was able to enjoy the dancing during dinner.

The hotel is very nice but on the runway... the first flight leaves at 6am.. am I glad I do not live anywhere near a runway path at home.

Today we started out on a 3 hour hike to the White Cliff, where there is a very old and beautiful monastery hanging over the cliff. It was a very strenuous hike uphill but worth the effort. I told Palden that I wanted to hike and he came through.

Everyone in town is getting ready for the festival. They are setting up booths and all the villagers are washing their clothes. I hope it is as exciting as I think. Apparently, most of the locals come on the last two days... I will be long gone by then... so I may get to see a bunch of tourists attending the festival.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon visiting the Museum and Monastery in Paro. I am winding down to just two more days and off to India and to my dad's 90Th birthday party. I am anxious to see my family.

I finally found a real coffee shop and bought my guide and driver real coffee and peach cake. It was a very special occasion. Nescafe is really bad but I have been desperate.

Namaste, Paula