Day 2

Friday 8/1 Tour Operator came to hotel to give us all the vouchers for activities, accomodation, tours etc... phew. Looks like hard work... luckily Pat has charge of said vouchers. By the time she had got through all the guff, today's tour guide had turned up and off we went for our motoring Havana city tour ...... in a two toned pink 1956 convertible Ford Fairlane. (Pink for girls) Unfortunately he had to put the hood up as it was raining and not much going on in the way of demisting. Guide very knowledgable about all things Cuban/Havana...historical, cultural etc. Fidel in his 90's is thought to live on an estate somewhere west outskirts of the city. Had a drink at the Hotel Nacional on the seafront. Built in the 30'sby the yanks for yanks...back when the plan was for Cuba to be another state of the US. Surfice to say v v grand. Hotel has photographic exhibition of all the "names" who have come to Havana..including the pope . One corner showed the mafia figures who have visited. Tour wemt through new areas, embassy district, university area, hospital etc. On the subject of university.. All tertiary totally free..fees..accomodation..books..all free. Some info about religions..mostly Catholic of course as most Cubans are descended from Spanish. Forget about original inhabitants..Spanish wiped them out..totally. They were similar to South American indians but not quite as advanced. Cigars big business here .. we went to cigar rolling demo..have been offered cheap cigars on the street etc.