Baracoa, Cuba: Relaxing But Ready to Go Back Home!

Baracoa - our ninth and last place to visit in Cuba. We arrived yesterday (May 12) at 1:30pm and Antonio, an Electrical Engineer, from Casa El Mirador was waiting with a big sign, Buloo!! His wife owns this Casa which is a large colonial house with green color. Second floor east facing covered porch is supported by five 15 feet tall carved green and white beams. Large windows and doors are painted yellow with bluish gray trimming. Our room in the back has two beds, a fan, a very noisy window air conditioner, a small bathroom and a table to put out luggage. The porch is set with a white metal dining table, four chairs, a swing set, and couple of rocking chairs. The Casa is on a busy street so we get to see and experience town’s busy day life from 30 feet above the road.  Last night we had our dinner at this Casa and it was so good! The hostess, Illiana, prepared Dorado fish with coconut milk and plenty of garlic, Enceladas vegetable, rice, and Sopa de Chicharo. Baracoa, a small town SE Cuba on Caribbean Sea, has probably best food outside of Havana, in particular, Seafood is very fresh and well-spiced. After couple of days at Casa El Mirador, we moved to another large Casa Horizonte facing the Caribbean Sea for three additional days and just relaxed!

So why we want to go home? Bulu said she is ready to go back home. She has never felt that way before in any of our travel adventures! Why? She feels isolated in Cuba. Not being able to talk to kids and FaceTime with grandkids! None of the Casa Particulars that we have stayed have Wi-Fi. Internet connections are to be purchased through Cuban government’s ETESCA and connected in public squares! We don't get any news on TV. Cuban government controlled TV Stations have local, political and revolutionary propaganda news and sports. We are information and news starved in this communist country! We can’t watch English movie on TV when we don't feel like having an evening out! In fact, there are somewhere between 3-6 TV channels.  Casas’ in Cuba don't offer quiet AC or fan. Noise and more noise, inside and outside! Most museums and restaurants don't have AC or even fan. You just sweat thro' it. Very small bathroom, showers don't have hot and cold control. Beds' either soft or coils poke body! A good night sleep is rarity. In Seattle, we take for granted crisp and clean air, no noise pollution, and uniform traffic. In Cuba people commute by walking, bicycle taxi, horse-buggy taxi, smoke-emitting taxi, classic American Cars and old buses! After traveling for three and half weeks in Cuba, we are occasionally missing our normalcy of life in the USA! Nothing against Cuba!!This is a fascinating country with lovely people. A must visit country in Central America for at least couple of weeks. Happy Traveling!!