Back on the road....

Well off on another bus in 2hrs... from Cancun to Guatemala.... hard to believe all the places I have been already. Meeting people here in the hostel you really get a feel for how well traveled you are... Peoples eyes bulge when you tell them you've been travelling for 5months.... hey even mine do. But Nick and I have discussed the need to be wary about being a "Bloody hell, arent I a great person cause I have travelled so much" person. So many people think they know more and are cooler cause they have travelled (we are not cool, we were looking for an algebra book for our travels...)..... It really isnt that hard.... get on a plane, bus, boat, car, train and do it, simple as that..... Guess the only thing is that we took the risk of leaving work.... But hey work will always be there anyway, and I have the rest of my life to work, why waste these great years of my life so I can retire at 52 instead of 53.... either way I will be old then and wont be able to do half the things i can do now.....

Whilst having chicken fajitas for lunch I looked at Nick and said tomorrow we're going to be in Guatemala!!!! Like you forget how cool these places are after travelling for a while.... You can get so used to being in strange and new place.... to such an extent that strange and new is normal and normal (eg here in Cancun to some extent) is strange.... I mean cars stopping at pedestrian crossings, more than one type of drink or meal to choose from when eating... man that's strange... having a toilet with toilet paper and a seat and not having to pay for it... that's strange!!!! The human can get used to anything I reckon.... Like home to me is packing my backpack and sitting on a bus.... couldnt be more normal. Meeting random people and talking about all sorts of things and never seeing them again... that's normal.... So once we hit England my brain is going to explode..... but I can be sure that I will also get used to that too.... hey and if I don't I will be off again...

Been thinking about Asia a bit. Nick and I are rather convinced that China is the way to go. We had a big discussion (brought about by the crazy posts on Nick's site about Cuba... Nick has deleted the comments now and blocked future comments on that post) about what's wrong with the world and what we can do about it.... And yes, as the eyes roll back and the reader thinks "toss toss toss, like these guys selfishly indulging themselves in other cultures always with the backup of a gold credit card know anything about saving the world....".....and there are a number of things we came up with and one was China... All comes down to my 30 year theory, which is this: In Thirty years at current economic growth rates China's economy will be larger (economically speaking) than the US and hence China will start to dominate world affairs..... The result of this is... well who knows, but one thing can be sure0, if China pollutes as much as the US does for every dollar of GDP there will be no world... So maybe going to China might be the way to go, learn Mandarin as that may well be the dominate language of the future.... Anyway it's a thought anyway... We also came up with many other ideas.... some silly, some reasonable, some overly idealistic.... but we're thinking and once we have seen the world maybe then we can start doing something to help save it.... As they say even the greatest rivers start with one drop and we have seen and been on the worlds largest river, the Amazon, so who knows hey?

As for Central America? We have no idea where we are going or what we will do there, really unplanned but that tends to be the best way to go about things.... Lets hope there are no earthquakes or killer floods.... And lets hope we get to San Jose, Costa Rica by 22/7 as if we dont we miss our flight and are stuffed....

Goodbye Mexico, a country that appears to be the 51st (or more likely 151st) state of the United States of America.... rich and getting richer, full of inequality and yes they eat super sized Big Mac meals here too.... so they will be getting fatter too...

Oh and also don't watch the War of the Worlds... watched it yesterday, load of crap and the audience laughed at the most odd parts, but looking at the subtitles you wonder how much they miss (alot from what I could tell)..... Makes me wonder how much I miss when I watch a French movie.... as always the people of the world will have their messages forever lost in translation... Better get learning Mandarin or I wont know what Big Brother is telling me not to think in 30 years time ;-)

Remember:

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

Think of that when you get up in the morning to go to work to pay for the excessive consumer items you don't need... are you a slave to the 'image economy'????

¡Hasta la victoria siempre!

Well as I like to refer to it... I just 'got back' from Cuba.... what an experience... I am not sure if I can really get what the place was like onto the page here but I will try and will edit this post when more things come to mind.

Oh before I start.. Check out Nick's post on Cuba and all the responses...stirred up a real hornets nest he did... http://hoist-the-spinnaker.blogspot.com/2005/06/cuba-cuba-cuba-cuba.html#comments

As I say talking about politics is like talking about religion...A Christian is always a Christian and a Right Wing Hack is always a right wing hack.. so why do evangelists even bother to try??? Guess they like thinking about how 'right' they are... and what better way than to tell someone else about how wrong they are!!!!! Gotta love arrogance!!! Me I am a postmodernist...can't go wrong there... i.e. everything is right and everything is wrong at the same time... perfect.... "Life is but a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves...."

The details of our trip

We arrived in Habana in the middle of the night as our plane was held on the runway in Panama for a few hours due to a massive electrical storm, I was actually surprised that we took off at all, it was really intense. We got to our Casa Particular at 1am and were lucky to be let in, it took many a ring on the bell to wake Ramiro's (the owner - can you really own houses here... well that's a whole other story) mother. Once up the next day I went exploring and proceeded to learn the first lesson of Cuba... now I thought (stupidly I admit) that given this is a socialist/communist country that everyone would be nice and giving, given that is the central tenant of an egalitarian state... well I was wrong! I got ripped off on a foreign exchange transaction and coaxed into buying overpriced cigars as I was lured into a local’s house at 8am on a Sunday morning. I could hardly say no to buying a box of 25 Cubanos whilst in a house in a place I didn't know speaking to two big black dudes in Spanish.... well we learn. I also learnt that I am a wog big time... everyone there thought I was either Italian or Argentinean (there you go Jess we can't deny that 1/8th blood line...). The rest of the time in Habana (3 days) involved just walking around getting a feel for the place, almost getting ripped off a few more times. Habana is a city that must have been great and beautiful at sometime in the past (ironically probably during it's Colonial period...) but it is in decay now.... And all I could ask was why don't they just paint there houses the place would look a whole lot better!!!!! Later I would realise that the money for paint just ain't available.....

After Habana we got a car (with locals) to Cienfuegos and later onto Trinidad where we found the greatest place on the beach in a little town called La Boca. It rained a lot of the time there but that didn't matter as it really hasn’t rained at all on this journey and fresh tropical rain and thunder storms were a welcome change. Everyday there we managed to either ride a bike or walk or run a million miles... I am not sure why we did this but we loved it all the same... check out the blisters on my feet in the photo gallery!!!! Managed to have a killer night out in Trinidad, which resulted in me ranting about revolutions and why I thought Cuba had failed etc.... Lesson learnt, Lucas no longer talks of politics when drunk....

Then headed to Santiago de Cuba and basically got rained out the whole time.... meant time to read, write and think.... man I have had too much time to think.... If you read my journal you would understand what I mean! We met a lovely Finnish girl who we hung out with for a couple of days... being with someone who has not been traveling for a long period of time give Nick and I a good dose of reality and an insight into how insane we have become over the past five months....'only a traveler knows the feeling!' would be an apt term to describe us at the moment...

Then it was into trucks to find the more difficult, possibly more economical, way to Baracoa on the east coast.... Man I almost got in a fight with the bus guy, who tried to charge us $US12 each to sit in a packed bus for 4hrs.... well after consultation with all members of the bus we came to an agreement... sorted I guess.... bloody hell, sometimes it's easier to take the tourist bus, in comfort and away from conflict, but then I would never learn anything...

Baracoa was a ball.... Although we did end up getting trapped there for a few extra days due to there being extensive power cuts, hence we couldn’t get money out, hence we couldn’t buy a bus ticket, pay for accommodation etc.... Also got to stay on the beach for a few days, 'illegally', but the money we paid to the locals would have been a great help although I dare say they were running a pretty serious risk of getting arrested... seeing this made me realise how desperate the money situation is here... risking jail for like $US50...hmm something doesn’t add up.... But we were covert and ensured that they did not have to deal with the police, although we did come close a few times... So it was beach, great seafood (REALLY GREAT!!!!) and more time to read and yes you guessed it.... think! Well I think I have psycho analysed myself to death now.... conclusion I am mildly insane, suffer from extreme bouts of self doubt but am in general a pretty good guy with good prospects for the future.... If only I didn't think too much....

After Baracoa it was an all night bus trip to Santa Clara to see Che's grave... well where his remains are after they were returned from Bolivia in 1997, some 30 years after his death! Bus was tourist this time as we thought it simply not worth it to fight with bus drivers again.... Santa Clara was a quick over night stay and then our first train on our trip.... Man 9hrs to travel 260km.... that's efficient, but it was comfortable enough... so no real complaints here, although we were charged 24 times the local price for the train by this time I was happy to pay.... By now I have really got a feel for the desperate economic situation of the country and a few bucks from me will help them more than a big mac meal will help me.....

Then back to Habana for a final two days and yes by now I was looking forward to 'getting back' to the 'other world' ie a world in which not everything is difficult.... Managed to cut sick with my Spanish whilst walking around town alone.... I find when I am alone and have to speak Spanish I actually can... kinda like getting chucked into the ocean... you swim or die! Also didn't get fooled by people trying to rip me off.... although now I was almost tempted to get deliberately fooled to help them out and give them the money they need.... but my bank balance aint so hot and the Aussie dollar aint either and I am heading to pound territory soon.....

Then plane and Cancun.... and don't get me started on this place.... a whole different planet... kinda like the Gold Coast except full of Yanks not Japanese and.... grgrrgrgr man do I feel poor... In Cuba I was the rich man and here I am the poor man, bloody young americans with all their money from investments exploiting people in countries like we have visited in South America..... Anyways that post is for another day....

Rest assured I am well (although my bowls haven't completely removed the 5c ice creams of Cuba!) and ready to hit Central America.... although I could handle a cold winter weekend in Bundy... maybe next year hey!?

Thoughts on Cuba

Firstly communism my fellow comrades is dead, yes it is sad to say but seeing Cuba was like seeing the final death throws of mans final attempt at making a society that was fair to all. Why did it die? Well I have many ideas on this topic, the first would be that most people are selfish bastards and just don't like sharing hence a society based on completely equalising wealth just can't work as people want more than their next door neighbour...grrrrr. Also the United States has alot to answer in relation to this issue as well. Once the Soviet Union collapsed Cuba was devastated all the soviet markets for their products disappeared over night... with no foreign exchange earnings they couldn’t get any cash and hence could not import anything. The bloody US won’t let anyone trade with Cuba so the only money they get is from tourism... like ALL their money..... as you can imagine that is not much given that Cuba has been an agriculturally based economy (mainly sugar)... essentially Cuba is unemployed and their is no international dole cheque for them to pick up..... Since then Cubans in general have given up and you can tell…. They don’t appear to be interested in work… and when the power goes off they just chill out or go home…. They don’t seem overly phased about it…. Acceptance of these failings of the state lets them continue into the future and become more prevalent.

I have read alot of Che's works whilst being here and it appears that it was all based on some really great, although rather idealistic, ideas... it just didn't work out in the long run.... I have to wonder if all those people back at home wearing all those Che T-shirts know what it was really on about…. Hmmm I doubt it and I also doubt they would want to live here either… but hey in the western world it is very easy to be happy in your ignorance…. I think Che was a bit too extreme and had way too much faith in people…. People in general don’t care about much except getting fed and having a family…. Struggles to ensure equality and justice is reserved for only a few… and unfortunately this few is never enough to fight imperialism…. Money and power is always more attractive than truth and fairness….

Cuba is a real bastard of a country to try and do anything in. Getting ripped off by locals seeking extra cash is common and you really can't trust anyone. Which is a shame as the few who we got to know and got to trust are really great people with great ideas… just seems they are a bit trapped by the system…. But what could the solution be? Obviously if (when…) the US takes over they will turn it into another Cancun or some other money spinner for US financial interests …. Yes the people will have more money but their culture will die and another part of the world will become the same as the US…which any sensible person will agree is a tragedy….The endless destruction of cultural diversity that the US has caused worldwide…. Man and these people wonder why much of the world hates them, calls them the ‘great evil’ and then attacks them. Personally I am surprised the attacks aren’t bigger and more frequent… but as I said most people aren’t interested in this sort of stuff… and that is how countries like the US get away with it, apathy of the general population… Why were Che and Fidel great people (I use the term loosely here…)? Cause they got the people to give a damn and fight for their rights…. We need more of that today. But given and Cuba has lost it is there really any hope for the future… And how would we really stage a revolution against a system that essentially is our whole world…. Do we cut off our nose to spite our face or accept the way things are and take pleasure from the small things cause from where I sit the big picture is pretty grim and getting worse by the day…

Sorry to be so glum but the world really is a mess… turn the TV off and get out here to where the other 5.5 billion people live and you will know that this is the case and hey I have only seen 0.5 billion to date, once I hit Asia…. And then, bloody hell, Africa!!!! Man am I going to be depressed and have an extreme reproach for the way man can treat his fellows the world over…. But once I know the problem only then can I start working on a solution…. Maybe another Great Flood would help… but who would God save??? Is anyone really worthy??? Not me, not by a long shot….. ARE YOU???

Cigars, Commies and Castro!!!

Well am finally off to that great country that we Capitalists envy so much..... Yes tomorrow night I fly to Havana, Cuba where I will spend 23 days living in the luxurious lifestyle that the economicaly efficient system communism provides those lucky citizens of Cuba! Rest assured that I will have a Cigar or ten and will also pack as many of them into my surfboard case to sell on the black market in Miami.

I don't plan to be online whilst in Cuba as access to the WorldWideWeb will be too much of a Capitalist Pig thing to do and hence may ruin my great commune life I plan to make for myself in Cuba. So don't be offended if I don't reply to emails or post on my site, it wont be because I am dead....

I also plan to try and get to Guantanamo Bay to visit our best mate David Hicks... I'm sure I will be lucky to get within 50km of the place, but I will try!

Bogota has been a bugger but thankfully all the passport stuff is done and we both have valid passports with Cuban Visas and we also have accommodation in Cuba sorted for the first night, plus our flight out of Cuba to Cancun, Mexico on 28 June and also a flight to Miami from San Jose, Costa Rica on 22 July so hey we are totally sorted to London now.... strange feeling to have everything planned... haven't felt that for a while!

So tonight is our last night in South America... as a tear wells in the corner of my eye and it slowly slides down my cheek I think back at all our adventures in this amazing and crazy continent.... It has been awesome, we have done, seen, experienced so much here!!!! I can't wait to return again one day, maybe with a Chica!?!? I will miss this place but have had enough of the place for now and am looking forward to seeing different ways of life.

All I can say is that life is great where ever you are and there will always be days you have the shits and want to punch a wall (or ya mate's head;-)... But remember there are dudes living on the streets in every city of this world including your own. So if you feel like God is being a bastard to you and it's just not fair, go to your local hobo hangout and lie down on some cardboard and go to sleep.... see how that feels and then you will know that you've got it good, bloody great infact!!!!! And hey if it all goes down the drain and the bank forecloses on your property and everyone thinks you're a prick you will always be able to hit the hay and get a good night's sleep somewhere even if it's the cardboard on the ground in the Plaza de Armas in some South American city.... There is always hope and options!!!

Oh, another thing. I saw two pigeons get run over on the street yesterday. The first time I have seen such a thing happen in my life. The first one got smashed and was dead instantly, but it's friend only got half killed. This guy picked it up and put it on the sidewalk where the pigeon proceeded to stumble and cough up blood out of it's mouth...cough cough twice it coughed up blood and I looked at it and thought....which is worse off, the pigeon or the home person on the street three feet away? And although I had no answer I felt more sorry for that pigeon than any homeless person....... I don't know what this means as it seems both that pigeon and many of the homeless people in this city are equally screwed.... but something about an innocent animal being hurt so badly got to me..... cause we all know there is not one human on the face of this earth who is innocent..... hmmmmmmm morbib stuff I know, but I think although this city has given me the shits it has taught be a lot... lessons I will never ever forget!

Anyways, there are new photos on the site, so check 'em out (had to miss out a lot of photos here as I reckon I would get shot or mugged for taking some of them) ... will be back around the end of the month. Hope you all have fun. Hasta luego.... ¡Bien Suerte y chao!