Cuban Farms…How to Roll a Habano!, Vinales, Cuba

Mirta prepared our breakfast for 7am. It included a variety of fruits, eggs made to order, coffee and homemade juice. We didn’t have to leave until 9am today, so I took advantage of the late start and went for a run. I aimed to go off the beaten path and succeeded. I climbed up the small hill as I left town toward the northeast. The concrete roads turned to a combination of crumbled asphalt and dirt. I got to the highest point I could for a nice view before I dropped down just slightly to run on a dirt road past small horse farms before I ended up on a busy road as children walked to school in their red uniforms. At this point, I didn’t know where I was and was surprised to feel lost in a three road town!

I came upon a main intersection with a gas station that I vaguely remembered passing by in the bus. This place was a gold mine…the only one in town and VERY busy. It reminded me of the late 70’s when we had to wait in line to get gas. Eventually I found my way when I spotted one of only two internet towers and the lone cathedral. I ran along the road peppered with cars (old and older), bikes, horse carts, scooters, buses and even tractors back to Mirta House. I think next time I go out running, I might take note of the street name on which we were staying. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).