Dec 7 - Third day in Havana

Ruth writes:Yes - I am still in Havana - what more could I want...okay there is
something but never mind. At 7:00 am I woke up full of energy, put on my running gear and hit the road. What a perfect morning! I just ran down Obispo and along the water on Malecon to the Havana Libre - what an ugly building. But since I was advised by Ralf to go there for the view and check out the roof top bar, we will definitely do so. I met a very nice fellow on my run and he followed me the entire course which was almost for an hour. He was very considering (hard to find with other guys sometimes), so when I made a quick stop he simply waited for me without any complaining ... a dream, but it was just unfortunately just dog :-) The people at the reception of the hotel had to stop him otherwise he would have come with me to my room... Typically I am afraid of dogs I really liked this one. A few other guys talked to me during my walking breaks. Everybody is very friendly just wants to say hi and do some small talk - I like that instead of the ignorance you often find in Europe. 

After my run we went for breakfast.

Our walking tour today brought us to the convent of Santa Clara which was unfortunately closed. I did not mind it since the way their was through the wonderful back streets of Havana; I can not get enough of these impressive streets. It is unbelievable how poor these people are but they try to keep everything very clean and neat. On our stroll through old Havana we made a stop at the Cafe Escorial (Plaza Vajia)- very good coffee. Besides the regular coffees, they have a lot of alcohol versions which I stayed away
from....only after 1 hour later when we had lunch at a very touristy place on Obispo. I think Mojito and I are now best friends! I love the mint and sugar rum mixture! Since I only had a salad I felt like I have room to try one of the pizzas which you can buy on the streets. Hmmm, street pizza is disappointing but you have to try - right?

Due to high alcohol consumption and exhaustion Christof needed a nap. I took this opportunity to start writing Christmas and post cards. To weird - I am sitting here in my little summer flower dress and write Christmas cards. But such is life the strangest things are happing sometimes.

We walked all the way along the Malecon to the Habana Libre - not as nice as I had anticipated from my morning runs. We arrived at the Habana Libre at 19:00 but unfortunately the restaurant opens only at 19:30 - being very hungry and not wanting to wait in the very ugly hotel lobby (think 1970 Eastern Germany) , we took a
cap to the Hotel Sevilla since this was also recommended roof top hotel. 4 Pesos for the ride and we are standing in a posh and not so inviting roof top restaurant with open “windows” to look out - not exactly what we wanted.
Another 2 Pesos further we ended up in the Amundos Hotel from the first night - we love it - low key - flip flops and casual travel wear are no problem :-) We had another wonderful Iberian ham starter and dinner with lobster scrimp and sword fish. I had 2 Mojitos - 2 too many: I promised Christof to be a bit nicer to him from now on and not to laugh about him that much - I have no idea how I will keep this promise (especially since I am not laughing about him but simply doubt that he is right all the time -
big difference)! 
 
Things we noticed: • Creme Cake - they have biscuit cake with butter creme - very tasty not like the sugar version you can get in the US. • The Italians have left Cuba too quickly - the pizza is more like very bad American Pizza. • Talk to people not all of them want to see you something. Some of them are just curious. • La Mercato is only romantic at night if you have earplugs and a gas mask. There is so much traffic...