First Real Taste of Cuba

I knew that I was going to experience some weird things living in Cuba.  I knew that there were going to be food and supply shortages at various times.  However, last night was a little strange.  One of the government owned companies that supplies our Company with food, transportation and other services has been having difficulties in paying its suppliers.  This Company supplies not only us, but 2 other mining companies in the city.  However we are the only one that has a foreign investor with the other two being 100% government owned. Also as the other two mining companies aren't performing that well, they aren't paying their bills from the supply company.  So basically the only source of cash for the supply company is us.

So how does this really effect me?  As part of our motel complex, there is a restaurant and a very small bar.  So a few of us had planned on meeting in the bar and chatting.  So weren't we surprised to find out that the bar was closing.  Buddy had just talked to his Jefe, and they were told to close down the entire bar.  Originally I thought it was just for the night, but no its permanent.  Ergo we no longer have a bar to drink at.  At this point I should also mention that the Company has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drinking and driving.  This means you can have absolutely no alcohol in your body if you are operating a motor vehicle.    So normally in Canada you would just take a taxi.  Seems simple enough, however there are no taxis in Moa. Not a one.

Apparently this has happened before and it only last a few days.  However things are much worse with the supply company now, and there is a feeling that it may be permanent.  So in the meantime we are relegated to drinking in our rooms, or drinking beer at the restaurant.  Strange times are a coming.

On a positive side, the sunburn is healing and peeling nicely.  We have also booked our trip to a resort for Saturday night.  Looks to be 4 of us going and should be a good time.  The resort is called Rio de Oro and is located in Guadalavaca, which is an hour or so away from Holguin, and about a 3 hour drive from Moa.