Temporary interruption to programming
It’s true, Havana is the home of vintage cars. They’re everywhere.
Poor John and I are pretty tough travellers—hearty even.
Cuba is doing it’s best to throw everything at us, but we are still smiling and still wearing the same clothes we arrived in six days ago.
Here’s the deal.
We still have no luggage and the response number at the airport doesn’t answer. My blood pressure tablets are in the luggage and no one here seems willing or able to sell me a replacement or substitute.
The air conditioning flooded in our first hostel and saturated most of our paperwork including both my passports—luckily all dry now. And no one seems remotely phased by the sorted technicolour hues of our bus and accommodation vouchers etc.
Not sure about our onward tickets, which languish in our luggage.
Poor John is poor for the first time ever on our travels. He’s been to hospital for suspected gout which turned out to be an infection in his foot. He’s on nine tablets a day.
Wifi has been very limited so don’t expect to hear from me again until we reach Santiago Chile on 9 April. That’s when we board another cruise with, perhaps, only the clothes on our back.
Nevertheless, seeing the sights and getting some pics. No swimming! Bathers in the luggage! Rolling eyes a lot!
Hasta luego!
P.S. Am posting the same on the cooking blog.
Where to next? 
Oh No! Poor you ,hope your luggage catches up with you soon. It’s certainly all sent to try us at times isn’t it ? and poor John I do hope his foot is on the mend. Take care and enjoy what you can 🙂
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We’ve been reunited with our bags, Poor John’s foot is better and I have lots of news. Back to the keyboard. Stay tuned.
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Good news about Johns foot and pleased your luggage has turned it normally does its just the inconvienience…looking forward to all your news…Take care and stay safe 🙂
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Thanks so much. We even have internet now. 🙂
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Good luck with all of that. Hope things improve soon.
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Everything looking up. 🙂
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Ah, the joys of travel. Being sick while away from home is the worst. I hope Poor John mends quickly. I could wear the same clothes all week, but would like clean undies more often.
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Wow! That’s really roughing it. I hope you get your luggage before you leave..hopefully the next part of your travels will be smooth.
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All good now.
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How frustrating for John. Cuba nueva certainmente
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You have that right, but all good with our bags now.
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OUCH!! What a bugger1
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I like your choice of words.
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Hope you get your luggage before you need to leave. What an adventure!
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We have clothes again. Yippee!
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Your itchy feet is now in Cuba, wow ….sorry about your situation there, you should better wait till tourism there is developed
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Some aspects in Cuba work very well. Others don’t. At least we have our bags now.
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Oh dear, hope all turns out good soon. Cuba is supposed to have good health services. As for luggage getting lost. We only ever travel with overhead luggage now and simply buy clothes if needed after arrival and jettison old ones before heading home. I know it is not much of a consolation now, but with security at airports, hopping around without shoes and belt holding up trousers, we could not cope with the carousel and suitcases. It is all so ‘far out’.
Here in Canberra, we all have diligently set the clock back one hour. A cause for great excitement. Both stay well. Cheers, Gerard.
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Hello Gerard,
Here in New York State (and most of the states in the USA) we set the clock FORWARD one hour (that was last week March 27th Sunday); Spring Ahead, Fall Back.
Sy S.
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Yes, but here in Australia we enjoy setting things back more than moving forward.
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We’ve yo-yoed through a lot of time zones on this trip. Luckily it doesn’t matter that I have no idea what time it really is.
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Cuba’s health services were excellent. As for the luggage, we had to travel ‘heavy’ with about 19 kilos each. What with going to Alaska and Cuba and South America. The temperatures have been a yo-yo.
Oh my and the times.We’ve been up two hours and down two hours and up one and down two, and up three. At the moment, it’s dark outside. Is that a good enough description?
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I feel so bad for you, I hope it all gets better soon. Stay well and safe! 🙂
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We clothed again so you can stop feeling bad for us. 🙂
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That is good news! Hope everything else is going well for you. 🙂
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Well, my coffee was cold, but that’s a first world problem. 🙂 All else is good.
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I hope everything works out for both of you. It sounds like tough going but also something you have no control over.
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Cuba was a comedy of errors. Won’t be forgotten anytime soon. At least we got the bags.
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Hi Peggy I’m so glad to hear that you finally got your bags. As someone who has high blood pressure, I was anxious for you to get you medication. I’ll be visiting your blog today.
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Believe me, we were anxious together about those darn BP pills. Luckily I’m on a low dose, so I just played everything safe.
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Hello LeggyPeggy,
I hope Poor John’s foot infection heals fast… no fun not being able to walk around easily. And for you LeggyPeggy without blood pressure pills… just stay away from salty foods, caffeine (coffee/tea/soda). However, not having your luggage for a week or two is a real bummer. You both have been to so many countries…. and now find yourself between a rock and a hard place. I just hope all this sorts out before you head for Chile! In the mean time, you can wash the clothing on your back (at least underwear) and/or buy clothing. Also, it seem you have money to eat and tour around a little… and lucky that your camera is with you.
I hope all goes well… and you make it to Chile with your luggage and good health..
Sy S. Sighing
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It’s chilly in Chile, but we have all our clothes now. And I have my meds. All is calm in the world?
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Oh, come on Peg, we (well, me you and John) have done this before, no point in putting clean clothes on a dirty body, but this is slightly different, no clean clothes to put on a clean body, I feel for you
After having my paper work getting wet, I now bag it double, sometimes even triple (with spare bags just in case) but I have found out they do dry out and colours do get mixed up, its not a real drama (and you told me that!!!!!)
Same as me, always have a camera with you, regardless of size
Now c’mon, how much is a tee shirt, and shorts (maybe underwear) going to cost ? (Until you luggage catches up with you)
I know you Peggy, its not going to faze you any, but having John in hospital might be a worry, but he is a tough old bloke, he will shrug it off
You wanted an adventure now you have one (at least there are no lions, tigers, angry tribesmen after you)
I know you will be back when you get the internet (I had the same problems) its not the end of your trip, you are going to have more spare time now to get out, see and do things without keeping us all up to date (there will be all that to do when you have all the wifi, internet you can eat
Crack on gal, have a great time, where ever you are
Just on a passing note, I thought you gave others high blood pressure, not suffered from it 🙂 )
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We’re cracking on just fine now Derrick. We’re tough ole farts, but it’s great to have the bags again. Now I have about 500 emails to get through. That’ll keep me busy.
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Some of the cars in Cuba are totally amazing. I watched a program a while back called Cuban Chrome, about how they restored the vehicles in the time of embargo. Very ingenious for sure!
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The cars are out of this world. Out of this century too. More pics coming.
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Excellent!
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I so sorry to hear about your misfortune, Peggy. And Poor John……….I hope the infection improves quickly. I can only imagine how it must be to lose all your luggage and clothes let alone paperwork.
Take deep breathes and try to remain calm in the loss of you BP meds. In fact keeping calm and living day to day is really the only positive thing you can do with success I guess.
Don’t worry about posting and the internet. I’m sure there are much more important things to think about.
I wish you good luck with retrieving all that is lost and the unfolding adventure that is found.
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Oh don’t feel too sorry for us. We really are tough travellers, but the big annoyance was the lack of communication. More about that soon. But we have the bags now.
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Great to hear you’ve got your bags now.
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Oh how could they allow that to happen to seasoned travellers like yourselves!!, Hope you get your cases back, will we have to call you poor Peggy and poor John now? Just remember it is only stuff, the important thing is getting your sense of humour back, Not easy in your present circumstances. Got my fingers crossed for you as will all your followers, we need your blogs. Bribing airport officials in third world countries works in my experience.
dorothysstories.wordpress.com
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I wonder if they wait to dish it out to seasoned travellers. hahaha
And I was pleased to realise that there wasn’t a single thing in my bag that couldn’t be replaced. Now I have it all back. 🙂
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Oh, dear. At least, there’s the two of you. It would be awful if you were on your own. Good luck.
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That is such a perfect comment, Coral. It makes a huge difference to have someone to share the frustration with. All good now.
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I´m sorry you´re not having a good time there. I wish you luck and I hope things get better soon.
Hugs
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We had a good time. It was just rather inconvenient having to wash most nights. But we have our bags now, so all is good.
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Happy to read that!! Really happy 🙂 So, where to next? 😀
Big hug, David
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In Chile now and then to Peru.
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Hope you get home safely SOON
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We have our bags back, so no rush to get home. YET!
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Oh no! You poor things. I do hope the luggage thing is sorted soon, you get your blood pressure medication and John’s foot heals quickly! x
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Got the meds and the bags, and the foot is better. Life is good. Thanks for the good wishes.
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I went to Cuba a few years ago and the first feeling I had was being transported back in time with all the old cars people drive, it was so interesting! Take care!
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Yep, Cuba turns you in to a time traveller.
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Hope John and you get your luggage and all other things sorted soon..take care:)
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Thanks. All sorted now. Whew!
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Oh, boy. Sounds like it will make a great story a year or so from now. Good luck with the luggage.
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Ah yes, time certainly adds the humour factor. 🙂
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Ouch! I hope things get easier for you both
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We’re back on track. Woo-hoo!
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Oh, dear. I hope your luggage catches up with you soon, Peggy.
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I think we caught up with it. At least we tracked it down.
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What a relief for you, Peggy!
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Oh my goodness! I hope everything is sorted quickly. Meanwhile, cool cars!
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Oh yeah, really cool cars.
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I could get you in touch with a wide array of contacts down there through our Cuban tour operator network, if you get this and could use any help, just send me a note with what you need, where you are, and any contact info you may have.
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Thanks for the offer of help. Very much appreciated. We’re back in control, but I’ll have some tips to share with you too. For starters, on your way out of the country, checked luggage is not safe. Poor John’s iPad was stolen from locked luggage yesterday. We checked in about 3 1/2 hours before our flight. That said, he would never have had it in his checked luggage if I’d been in charge of that.
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Ouch. I am very sorry to hear that, both for his sake and for Cuba’s. 😦
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I’m letting the airline know they have an issue with checked luggage. Poor John’s bag was ransacked (total mess when he opened it) but only the iPad was taken.
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Hope by now you’ve got your luggage and Poor John’s foot is healed. (Travel for me is a bit like weddings – the only thing I REALLY remember and can laugh at after it’s OVER are the catastrophes. Perfection for me is highly over-rated) Be safe.
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I’m with you. Catastrophes make the world a more interesting place.
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Ouch and ugh. It sounds as if you need a Cuban version of Ric from Fairbanks to sort things out. This will be a memorable trip, at least, if not what you had planned. I hope things are looking up.
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Wow, you are so right! Where’s a Cuban Ric when you need him?
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Good blogging material though!
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Duh!
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Not on Facebook much and had no idea you were traveling again! Sounds like another fascinating trip. Sorry to hear about the luggage woes and hope they locate your luggage soon. Safe travels!!
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Have reclaimed the bags. All good now.
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Still very envious despite the calamities. Andrew is right good blogging material. I drafted an experience called the mysteries of Thailand in a similar vein which I’ll share with you. You can’t win when your hotel is trying to make you think you’re mad!
All the best for Cuba.
Tony
http://breadtagsagas.com/
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Calamities are excellent fodder for blogs. Now I have to figure out how to spill the whole story. And we weren’t even in a hotel. It was a homestay so I reckon I should have had clothes donated. 🙂
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“Liking” this post seems a strange response to your news – but you know what I mean. I hope you’re back on track by the time you read this! best wishes, Nick
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Of course I know what you mean. We are back on track and I have about 500 emails to deal with. Guess I’ll be busy.
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Really pleased to hear that. Nice to be so popular I guess! I had an email once – it didn’t really work out for me…..
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I hope you realise that comment was 25 words or less. Just saying.
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Great set of cars but your difficult travel woes overshadow the joy of photos. Good luck and safe travels, Peggy.
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Thanks Jane. Everything back on track now.
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Oh my! I hope you are better now dear Peggy!
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All good now and a big relief. Thanks for thinking of us.
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Oh my goodness…this is one time when I’m happy to be sitting here on my couch while reading of your adventures!!! So happy to hear you and your luggage have been reunited and Poor John’s foot is better too…phew! Boy remind me never to go to Cuba…not that I was planning on it. 🙂 Ok so I’m standing by, as you mentioned you were at the keyboard…looking forward to more! Stay safe and healthy!
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Cuba has a lot going for it, and some problems too. But go when you have the chance. And I’ll continue to wade through 500+ emails and try to get a new post written. 🙂
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Holy moly…500+ emails…you need to be on a slow boat to China… 😉
Look forward to your next post!!
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Holy moly is right. Going to bed for the night.
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LP, “Holy moly is right, Going to bed for the night.” Where in the WWW ‘arte though.’..? still in Cuba… Going to sleep on an airport bench made for two? Did you get to roll/smoke any Havana C-gars ? Eat a Cubano Sandwich with Mojo ? Go for a swim after getting your luggage…
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We’ve made it to Chile, with more about that soon. We skipped the cigars in Havana even though scads of street hawkers tried to sell them to us. Off for a swim soon, just did a 2-kilometre walk.
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Hope you don’t have any more troubles! Glad you got to go for a swim!
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Everything seems to be back to normal—whatever that is. 🙂
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Great!
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May God bless. heal and protect you both! Wow…hang in there!
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Thanks so much. It’s all good now as we have our bags again. Yay!
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Yikes! All the best to you both.
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Thanks. All good now. We got our bags back.
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Hi Peggy!
Sabine and Carl here from the USA
We met in Cienfuegos at the casa particular -enjoyed our conversations!
Looking forward to reading about your continuing adventures thru your blog!
Sabine and Carl
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Hello Sabine and Carl
Great to hear from you. Thanks so much for dropping in. Now that I have an email address for you, I can send the pic of you two in the car. 🙂
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It is sad to hear about your travel problems. I hope that’s the last problems on your long trip. All the best.
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Thanks for the good wishes. Everything is so much better now and we expect it to stay the same.
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Sorry to hear the bad news. You keep your head up, though, which is very admirable.
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It could have been much worse, so I like to think we were lucky.
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Goodness. You two define “roughing it.” 🙂
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I’m sure it must be more fun that way!
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LOL True, when it’s strictly adults. Were that to happen with my kids, I’m pretty sure “fun” would have to be replaced with “horrifying.” 🙂
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Yes, kids change the terms of everything. We’ve had a couple of ‘excessive roughing it’ trips with our kids. Not fun.
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