On Eagles' Wings

February 15, 2013

From the air above Cuba, the island appears much larger and flatter than imagined. Despite heavy rain and wind, our pilot landed the plane true but firm. We sailed through customs in 15 minutes…a 3 year record according to Oscar.

Alexis and the missionary pastor from Placetas Baptist Church met us at the gate and we loaded their nicely restored 57 Plymouth with our nearly 180 lbs. of luggage. The meandering ride from Cienfuegos to Remedios was filled with scenery. Lush palm and sugar cane acreage lined the rural roadway as we faded in and out of towns along the way. 

The 2 hour journey was filled with images most Americans will never see.
Horses pulling carts are met with well preserved autos from the 1950s. Goats, horses, chickens and cows are intermittently seen grazing along the roadway. A random dog darts across the highway. A large open truck bed is filled with commuters. Old motorcycles, old bicycles, and everywhere you look, pedestrians…Cubans do a lot of walking.

Amazingly, all of the above (including the pedestrians) share the same road whether pathway or highway.

We stopped for a large bag of rice at a roadside stand along a dirt road turnoff.

After 19 hours of travel we arrive at our destination with big appetites. We are met by Yudit and a table set with the traditional Cuban meal…rice, beans, pork, tomato, cabbage, and pineapple juice. Deliciosa!  

~ Rick