Enjoying Cuba

Santiago de Cuba

But as luck would have it, I don't need much fuel for the next passage. The easterly trade winds have lessened and I am able to sail much of the next leg to Santiago de Cuba. The water is very deep and I am able to stay close to shore in the shadow of the majestic Sierra Maestra Montains.

Santiago de Cuba is the second most populous region of Cuba. The city supports considerable industry as is evidenced by a nearby plant that belches a daily cloud of sticky smoke over the marina. Some of this residue is still on the boat.

Here I meet a variety of friendly cruisers: A family of four from Alaska, a solo sailor from Canada, a man from France here to study Spanish, and another man and his girl friend from one of the Caribbean islands.

The marina is about five hilly miles from downtown Santiago, a challenging bicycle ride. Like Havana, the city has a picturesque Old Town where I spend an enjoyable day picture-taking, shopping and practicing my Spanish.

Here I meet Mily. While eating my lunch in a public park, I make eye contact with a very attractive lady who appeared to be on lunch break from a nearby shop or office. As I have been slow to learn, eye contact is like a contract. Mily gives me the usual story: If I buy her a lunch she will show me the sights. Well, who could resist? All the while, however, she repeats the word molesto and devotes much attention to watching the people around us. Finally, I learn that the government is cracking down on Cubans who appear to be bothering, molesting, taking advantage of tourists. The primary targets of this increased vigilance are the owners of private cars and prostitutes, who are noticeably present wherever tourists are. She assures me that this is not the case with her, but it is what the authorities think that matters. Interesting situation.

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Cabo Cruz	Bahia de Naranjo