Back in Havana

 After another delicious breakfast on the roof, we left Vinales and headed to the National Park. We walked and walked in the park. Our destination was the Mural de la Prehistoria which was painted from 1960-1964 on a rock wall.  It is huge (70 x 160 meters) and shows the evolution from dinosaurs to modern man in bright colors.  Of course, it has to be ‘freshened’ up every few years.  That needs to be done this year but there is a paint shortage so that is not happening.  Back on the road and up the mountain to a rather new hotel from which we can see the entire countryside —group pictures.  Back on the road and we head to an organic farm where we learned all about their operation and had a wonderful lunch.  They had 15 gardeners and the gardens were in raised beds with soil that they had hauled up the hill.  After driving over an hour, we reached a local community project run by the artist Mario Pelegrin which teaches children about art and pottery.  Hurricane Ivan really hit this area.  It damaged the entire building where pottery is taught —including kilns.  Many trees were also destroyed.  They are not government supported so are very concerned with rebuilding.  Today we observed that most field work is done with a team of oxen. 

A great-niece (2.5 years) of the owner named Alma was most entertaining.  After observing me sharing hand-sanitizer with other travelers, she came over and tapped on the zipper of my purse. I opened my purse, then she pretended to wash her hands, I got out my sanitizer and squirted a couple drops on her hands, she rubbed her hands together and trotted off! She was so cute and absolutely owned the place. We made a donation to the re-building and ended up with a painting.  

Back in the bus and drove 1.4 hours to Havana and the hotel we were in last week.  Hurricane Ivan was devastating to this area. Many trees uprooted, wooden buildings collapsed, others with roofs off, etc.  It will take a long time to get cleaned up. 

Last night we went out for tapas.  A good change after all the rice and beans, pork and chicken.  We are here three nights.  Wow, that sounds great.