Day 4.

We hired a horse and buggy for a couple of hours today. The chap driving it was totally delightful. He didn't speak English and i speak virtually no Spanish, but Terry has some Spanish and is always looking for a chance to engage someone and try out his words! He drove us thro some of the surrounding villages - the contrast is so dramatic and it leaves me with a disquieting feeling. But even altho there is such a lacking of some of the essentials, the Cuban people are so generous of spirit and seem genuinely happy. Our driver took us the home of some friends of his, who run a small plantation of mangoes, papaya, bananas, coconuts and the usual assortment of chickens and pigs. With a huge gap in our language abilities, they proceeded to set out some delicious fruit, open a couple of coconuts and offer then to us. We were somewhat bewildered but soon caught on! We stayed for a short visit, eat some fresh fruit, had a lovely tour of their plantation, and left them with some pesos for their hospitality. It's a bit unnerving not being able to communicate and i so often felt like i had no idea if i was being generous or not! they make so little money each month - so usually i got it that no matter how much we tip they will be very grateful indeed.