|
|
May 10, 2006 06:00 PM Cuba, country of contradictions
When my friend asked if I wanted to meet up with her in Cuba, it didn't take me long to make that decision. Cuba is just one of those places, high on the list.
And although it wasn’t easy to get there (it is a long story), I loved every minute of it! I stayed with a Cuban family in Havana, no less then absolutely amazing people, enjoyed the mojitos, the dancing and live music, the colorful street life and art and on top of that we were treated to a live concert of Manu Chao on our front doorstep. With 10.000 partying Cubans, sharing their bottles of Havana Club.
Of course life is not fun in Cuba, although you can study for cheap to become a doctor, where is it going to take you on $20 a month. There is no way that you can make something out of yourself. Free choice, to be, to believe and to become what you want is a high price to pay for 'free' (and def not always good) healthcare and education.
It's hard to force myself to make a choice about it. It has it's good and it's bad. When you have seen young barefooted girls working the streets, 6 year-olds sniffing glue, families digging through the dirt to find food. It doesn't sound so bad to divide the wealth a bit.
But why do we have to bring in our nasty human ways, our greed and hunger for power, why do some grow stonger on being feared by others.
Oh I know, but there is nothing wrong with being a bit of an idealist is there.
Here is to the people of Havana: Living under Fidel's regime and control but still loving life too much to let a day go by without a celebration!
|
May 10, 2005 06:00 PM inconveniences
I’ve been on this beautiful Caribbean Island for more then 5 months now – time flies when you’re having fun – and I still love it.
But there are also some inconveniences.
Next to the usual sandflies and mosquito’s, we survived the sea lice invasion. For a couple of weeks the waters were full with sea lice and I tell you it’s no fun. I finally got over the itchy rash, when some one offered me a piece of fruit the other day. Now, I’ve never in my life had a strong allergic reaction to anything, so I was never expecting this. It was the fruit of the cashew nut and I can eat cashew nuts, no problems whatsoever. But this was different. Within a couple of hours, my throat was swelling and I broke out in a pink rash that was even worse then the sea lice bites.
I saw the doctor the other day, he gave me two shots in the butt (not funny) and now I’m feeling much better, the benedril that I’m taking is making me sleepy though, but at least it works.
No more cashew fruit for me then!
|
Mar 28, 2005 06:00 PM Holiday!!!
I'm taking a vacation in my 'vacation'.
I've been on the island of Roatan for almost 3 months now. It's time to leave before my visa expires. Just in time, I can really use a break from my work. I've been living in Central America for quite a while now, not a real traveler, but still everyday feels like a holiday.
What a great feeling, that is!
Walking out of my house and stepping out into the ocean, days filled with sunshine...life is good!
I'm really looking forward to visiting Antigua. Do some proper shopping in Guate and the best part of all...one of my closest friends from the Netherlands is coming over to see me and she's staying for....4 months!!! Whoehaaa!!!
She will love Roatan. It is a funny little Caribbean island, a bit crazy, but with nice people and a great atmosphere. One of the funniest things is the way the locals point out to something or some one. They do it with their lips. More polite then our pointing finger, but quite confusing at first.
My first experience, a couple of years ago, was hilarious. I was working in a square bar, and a guy was pointing out a customer behind me.
"What's up with that face? What do you want from me? I'm not going to kiss you, if that's what you're thinking!"
But it all made sense after all and we had a good laugh about it.
I use it myself quite often now. It a great way to point something out without everybody else following your finger to see what you are looking at.
Unless you want it that way ofcourse.
|
Mar 16, 2005 09:00 PM Island time
Summer is starting on Roatan. That's for sure.
Last month I moved into a house close to the beach that I share it with an English girl. It has a little porch were I like to hang out in my hammock. It really is a great house but it must be the hottest place on this island right now. It's all wood and from the minute the sun comes up until it goes down, it's heating up this little oven that I call my room.
I'm thankful that I work in an air-conditioned enviroment.
It's so hot in my house that yesterday I was cooking dinner in my bikini and still was dripping with sweat.
I'm trying to ajust my speed, like the islanders do. Taking my time with everything.
Lucky enough the sea is right there to cool off whenever I feel like it.
|
Jan 25, 2005 09:00 PM One of those...months
Wish I could say, a good start in a new year but mine hasn't started out so great.
Being robbed twice in one month is no fun. Once at my home, when I was not there, once on the street, by a pursesnatcher, no gun or knife, thank god.
I lost both my cameras, all my pics are gone along with my money, discman and other stuff.
I nearly got run over by a car. It hit my friend's car that was standing still and almost got me in the middle of the two. Drunk #%@! cabdrivers.
But then again, what am I complaining about. I'm still in one piece and just moved back to Roatan, isla de Honduras. I have wonderful friends here, can do as much diving as I want, found myself a great job. My friends from back home are coming over for a visit in the next couple of months. The sun is shining, the water is clear, the weather is great for this time of the year and I'm having fun.
Damn I live on an island in the Carribean. How lucky am I!
Forget about what you don't have or what you lost... Look at what is right in front of you. Whether it is friends, a love or yourself.
Enjoy it!!!!!
|
Oct 16, 2004 06:00 PM A little introduction
Last year in September I made my second trip to Central America. Not really to travel, I traveled for about 9 months the year before in this area. But to live on Roatan, part of the Bay Islands, before the coast of Honduras. I lived and worked there for about 6 months before moving to Antigua, Guatemala.
There I stayed for the last seven months. I worked several jobs, improved my Spanish and met loads of fun people.
Now I’m in Holland for a 6 week visit. Last Thursday my brother married the love of his life and it made a great opportunity to see my family and friends again.
|
Oct 16, 2004 06:00 PM 14 days in Holland
Already two weeks in a very cold Holland.
I came back to visit my family and friends but the mean reason was my brother's wedding. He married on the 14th of October and it was a beautiful wedding. We had lots of sunshine for the wedding pictures and of course good foods and drinks.
I hadn't seen any of my family or friends since I moved to live in Central America. How wonderful to see everybody again.
My dear grandad made everyone cry during the ceremony when he took the rings out of his pocket and kissed them before giving them to the bride and groom. He made a little speech but most of his words got stuck in his throat, he was too emotional to continue.
I have another 4 weeks in the Netherlands. I will spent some time in the next weeks with my friends in Den Bosch and work there a little before heading back to Antigua, Guatemala.
|
|
|
|
