Cuban coffee and cheese and 3 Cubans falling in love with me
For my Cuban travel diaries, a trip I made last May together with Blondine, we are still in Camaguey, located in the central part of the country (Havana is Northeast). And my last entry was, ‘Where we stayed in Camaguey and the annoying welcome.’
Blondine’s and my priority upon arriving in Camaguey was to withdraw money in the bank. Unfortunately, the hotel personnel told us that the banks are closing in a few minutes and its best to go the next day early in the morning. They open at 8.
We initially struggled at the idea of going in the morning to the bank because we only have around CUC$10-15 left in our wallets. Yup, that is our combined money left. That’s about EUR 7-12 which should be fine in Cuba, however, we are not spending based on CUP$ standards but CUC$, which costs us more. Cuba has a 2-currency system: CUP$ for the locals and CUC$ for the foreigners. We know for sure that we will survive dinner but we won’t be able to go to the fancy restaurant I was eyeing at because they are more expensive and they do not accept credit cards as well. In Cuba, restaurants and hotels RARELY accept credit cards. Cash is king here.
So we decided to better chill out at our hotel’s café terrace on Plaza del Gallo and not focus on money matters. We ordered an unconventional combi of Cuban coffee and cheese charging them to our room. That helps, at least we didn’t have to give money upfront. We badly need it for dinner later. An option for us is to eat at the hotel and charge it as well, but we prefer to try new places.
So chill out it is. It has been a rainy day so far for us, with the slushy drive from Sancti Spiritus to Camaguey. The rain has stopped but the skies were still grey. It is warm though.
As we sipped our coffee and nibbled on the cheese, our late afternoon chilling out affair turned into a displeasurable experience. The guys who were following us earlier were now sitting across our table ogling at me and generously giving their expressions of affection—teasing eye winks and flying kisses. I think they even took pictures of us, of me!
Okay, I guess they are a harmless bunch of local guys just having fun with tourists and these are just humorous gestures, nothing more. Solution: Push the ignore button. However, they kept on even if we ignored them, but at least they kept themselves at a distance, otherwise, all hell will break loose.
Later, which was after we had our coffee and cheese and we were actually about to do some strolling around the city centre, we were approached by an American-Guatemalan from California, USA who was sitting at the same café as well. He introduced himself courteously and said that he was sent over by the 3 guys (squinting his eye at them) to tell me that THEY ARE IN LOVE WITH ME. The guys do not speak English so they approached him to be their intermediary.
Uh-what-did-you-just-say?
I was speechless for a moment. I mean, how do you respond to these impromptu on-the-street bizarre fashion of showing affections? The guys don’t look like Tom Cruise or George Clooney that I would be thrilled of anyway. I don’t know, I must have laughed, have I? Best ego boosting experience perhaps. I’m not sure anymore but I quite felt embarrassed.
Anyhow, the American-Guatemalan, who I think was trying his best at flirting with Blondine, said he has a solution and will go back to the guys and tell them I am married. GREAT. Thank you very much!
Best way to avoid a Cuban man’s affection: Tell him you are married. It works.
Travel Period: May 2012
Destination: Camaguey (Camaguey), Cuba
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Blondine’s and my priority upon arriving in Camaguey was to withdraw money in the bank. Unfortunately, the hotel personnel told us that the banks are closing in a few minutes and its best to go the next day early in the morning. They open at 8.
We initially struggled at the idea of going in the morning to the bank because we only have around CUC$10-15 left in our wallets. Yup, that is our combined money left. That’s about EUR 7-12 which should be fine in Cuba, however, we are not spending based on CUP$ standards but CUC$, which costs us more. Cuba has a 2-currency system: CUP$ for the locals and CUC$ for the foreigners. We know for sure that we will survive dinner but we won’t be able to go to the fancy restaurant I was eyeing at because they are more expensive and they do not accept credit cards as well. In Cuba, restaurants and hotels RARELY accept credit cards. Cash is king here.
Cafe terrace of Camino de Hierro Hotel on Plaza del Gallo in the centre of Camaguey.
So we decided to better chill out at our hotel’s café terrace on Plaza del Gallo and not focus on money matters. We ordered an unconventional combi of Cuban coffee and cheese charging them to our room. That helps, at least we didn’t have to give money upfront. We badly need it for dinner later. An option for us is to eat at the hotel and charge it as well, but we prefer to try new places.
So chill out it is. It has been a rainy day so far for us, with the slushy drive from Sancti Spiritus to Camaguey. The rain has stopped but the skies were still grey. It is warm though.
As we sipped our coffee and nibbled on the cheese, our late afternoon chilling out affair turned into a displeasurable experience. The guys who were following us earlier were now sitting across our table ogling at me and generously giving their expressions of affection—teasing eye winks and flying kisses. I think they even took pictures of us, of me!
Okay, I guess they are a harmless bunch of local guys just having fun with tourists and these are just humorous gestures, nothing more. Solution: Push the ignore button. However, they kept on even if we ignored them, but at least they kept themselves at a distance, otherwise, all hell will break loose.
Later, which was after we had our coffee and cheese and we were actually about to do some strolling around the city centre, we were approached by an American-Guatemalan from California, USA who was sitting at the same café as well. He introduced himself courteously and said that he was sent over by the 3 guys (squinting his eye at them) to tell me that THEY ARE IN LOVE WITH ME. The guys do not speak English so they approached him to be their intermediary.
Uh-what-did-you-just-say?
I was speechless for a moment. I mean, how do you respond to these impromptu on-the-street bizarre fashion of showing affections? The guys don’t look like Tom Cruise or George Clooney that I would be thrilled of anyway. I don’t know, I must have laughed, have I? Best ego boosting experience perhaps. I’m not sure anymore but I quite felt embarrassed.
Anyhow, the American-Guatemalan, who I think was trying his best at flirting with Blondine, said he has a solution and will go back to the guys and tell them I am married. GREAT. Thank you very much!
Best way to avoid a Cuban man’s affection: Tell him you are married. It works.
One of the guys who supposedly pledged their love to me. Goodness heavens.
Cuban coffee is one of the best in the world. Its much better than Italian coffee. So pure and strong.
Cuban cheese, did not get the name.
I managed to steal a picture of the 3 guys who pledged their love to me. Now that I think of it, bloody funny experience as hell.
Travel Period: May 2012
Destination: Camaguey (Camaguey), Cuba
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
