¡Hola!

Hey Everybody! I have arrived in Cuba safe and sound. I have been here since early in the morning last Friday. I arrived on the fastest flight ever. It only took 5 hours to reach Varadero from Edmonton and the plane arrived earlier than expected. I was at the aeroport, in the dark, and I chose not to have anyone meet me there. I wanted the adventure and challenge of making my way inland to visit my friends and family here. So I negociated a bus ride into Varadero and then accepted the bus driver’s advice to take a taxi because it was “safer”. I knew I wasn’t going to take a taxi and started walking across the bridge here to the local point that you grab a cuban bus. I managed to get on the local bus for $5 because I didn’t have change and normally it would have only cost $1. The other option… The taxi would normally be about $30-$40. I was very proud of myself and made it the house of Marifé & Vaniel by about 7:00 am. My time here has been great but it is very cold at night. Around 1-3 degrees. We are at the beach today and I have already made one trip inland in a rental car with Liuba to visit her family. Tomorrow we go for our second trip inland to visit the families and friends of Marifé and Vaniel.

I only have 2 mins left so I will wrap this up. I am doing well, I am safe and I will return to Canada on Friday afternoon. *HUGS* to everyone! Lots of Love, Neil

PS I am half way through the 4th Twilight book “Breaking Dawn” LOL