Today we had a different professor (Lisandra) and I missed Virginia because she's really fun and the class is less boring with her. Today class went very slowly, although I made a new friend. Her name is Lisa and she's from China. She has been studying Spanish in Cuba for three months and she has three more months. She has traveled around Cuba a little and told me about Cojimar, Varadero, and Isla de la Juventud. I thought it was funny how much she likes lobsters, and managed to mention them when she talked about each of the three places I just mentioned. We talked about Cuba, travel and class and I had a lot of fun getting to know her.
After a quick lunch we went to the beach (the same as the first time--Santa Maria del Mar). The weather wasn't quite as nice today as last time and there were larger waves, but it was still pretty. Sarai went to the beach with us too. I talked to her quite a bit about the ocean, music, movies, her novio and school. She brought a snorkel and a mask so we could see the little fish that nibbled at our skin. The first day after the beach my feet were so soft, and I thought it was just the exfoliating power of the sand, but nope--it was the feet-nibbling fish... I'd never snorkeled before and it was really fun.
The beach was really fun. I spent a lot of time there, sometimes with Madison and/or Pepe and other times with Sarai and/or Brittany. Brittany is really fun--we discussed her potential as a surfer girl and she said she wants to live California, close to the beach.
Rachel and Lauren told Lute that we wouldn't be there for supper and then went to Hotel Habana Libre with Cassi to use the internet and ate at Cafe Presidente. Madison, Brittany and I were left to find something to do, so the three of us, after getting back from the beach, tried to change money at the CADECA--it was closed--and then tried to go to Coppelia for ice cream--it was also closed. It seems like everything is closed on Mondays... We ate ice cream (coconut and dulce de leche) and then Brittany and Madison went home and I went to Habana Libre to send messages to Ryan and my mom.
Afterwards, I thought that I would go to Cine Yara to see a movie, but it was 8:30 and the movies are at 5pm and 8pm. I think I'll go back tomorrow to see a movie.
I didn't have another plan so I walked back to my house. It was a bit dark out and the men here never shut up when they see a blonde girl walking around. One guy crossed the street to tell me that I'm linda and ask me if I have a boyfriend... I ignored him but he kept walking behind me for a couple of blocks, which made me uncomfortable. Avenida 23/La Rampa is well-lit at night and there were plenty of people around, but I was still happy to see a couple of cops in uniform with that guy following me... until the cops checked me out too! I don't think I'm going to walk so far by myself again. I didn't feel in danger at all but I don't like the "machista" men, as our professor Virginia calls them.
Now, I need to sleep!
xoxo, xenophile
The beach was really fun. I spent a lot of time there, sometimes with Madison and/or Pepe and other times with Sarai and/or Brittany. Brittany is really fun--we discussed her potential as a surfer girl and she said she wants to live California, close to the beach.
Rachel and Lauren told Lute that we wouldn't be there for supper and then went to Hotel Habana Libre with Cassi to use the internet and ate at Cafe Presidente. Madison, Brittany and I were left to find something to do, so the three of us, after getting back from the beach, tried to change money at the CADECA--it was closed--and then tried to go to Coppelia for ice cream--it was also closed. It seems like everything is closed on Mondays... We ate ice cream (coconut and dulce de leche) and then Brittany and Madison went home and I went to Habana Libre to send messages to Ryan and my mom.
Afterwards, I thought that I would go to Cine Yara to see a movie, but it was 8:30 and the movies are at 5pm and 8pm. I think I'll go back tomorrow to see a movie.
I didn't have another plan so I walked back to my house. It was a bit dark out and the men here never shut up when they see a blonde girl walking around. One guy crossed the street to tell me that I'm linda and ask me if I have a boyfriend... I ignored him but he kept walking behind me for a couple of blocks, which made me uncomfortable. Avenida 23/La Rampa is well-lit at night and there were plenty of people around, but I was still happy to see a couple of cops in uniform with that guy following me... until the cops checked me out too! I don't think I'm going to walk so far by myself again. I didn't feel in danger at all but I don't like the "machista" men, as our professor Virginia calls them.
Now, I need to sleep!
xoxo, xenophile