For the 2nd look my makeup and hair was much more dramatic, as was my lingerie (in case you missed the 1st look, click here). I am now supposed to look like I am in the between stage of waking up and going to my “event.” Our darling Emily joined the crew with more coffee and played assistant to Kyle.
I post these photos with the knowledge that I do not have the perfect body or face. Please do not mistake me sharing these with me thinking that I am anything special, rather I share these to 1) inspire other women to do the same and 2) to showcase Kyle’s genius. Kyle travels all over the world for her photography. If you are interested in hiring her do not hesitate to find out when she might be headed your way. It will be one of the best investments in yourself that you could ever make!
So, what is your favorite picture?
Editors note:
*Hair and makeup was done by the extraordinary Rodrigo Farah. If you are in Santiago and are in need of these services, do not go to anyone else.
Beautiful adventures come in all shapes and sizes — from small weekend breaks in the English countryside — to a year-long expedition from one corner of the world to the other. All adventures have something in common though, they mean something different to each person undertaking them, whether it is amazing wildlife you are craving, life changing experiences, an unforgettable view that you will take a photo of to keep forever, or quiet simply a change of scenery.
For me it is finding something that makes me go, “Wow!”
I was skiing with my friend Craig and we decided to get the last lift up to the top of the mountain before we finished for the day. Once we got to the top, we decided to follow the sign posts back down to the resort as we wanted to be back by sunset. We headed down the 1st part of the run home, which was a short winding blue run to the next lift area. The slopes were starting to get quiet with only the odd snowboarder speeding past us. Just before we got to the end of the run we saw a sign for a place called Eagles Rock. We had heard about Eagles Rock the previous day when we got talking to a couple at dinner. They told us that you had to take a hard off piste run in between the trees, but that it was a shorter route home and had the most breath-taking views. We decided it would be worth doing the run at least once why we were at the resort. Now was our chance! At this point I was glad I had taken out travel insurance that covered off piste skiing with InsureandGo. We came off the piste and headed down the side of the mountain towards the trees. It was one of the best runs I had ever done. The snow was mainly untouched and the sign posts that are used in the summer for mountain biking were completely covered in snow. The white colored trees were dancing in the wind and had rays of sunshine shining through them. After about 5 minutes we got to the end of the trees and in front of us was the most gorgeous sunset I had ever seen, as it was setting on Eagles Rock or Le Rocher de L’aigle as the locals call it. You could see the tip of the mountain above the clouds and it quite simply made me go “wow.”
Tom Littlemore is an enthusiastic traveler who has skied in France, Italy, and Switzerland. He is looking forward to skiing again this season where he aims to conquer some of the most challenging off piste runs in Europe.
For a self-confessed sun worshiper, a holiday where I would be swapping my bikini for thermals was not exactly my idea of holiday heaven. Give me a sandy beach and a cocktail any day over an ill-fitting ski suit and a couple of metal plates strapped to my feet. I am guessing my previous ski experience (on a dry slope admittedly) did not help — where I ended up covered in mud after falling over as a group of 10 year-olds came streaming past. I spent the rest of the day in a café nursing a hot chocolate and I feared this time it would be no different.
However, I was completely wrong! Go to a proper ski resort (i.e. one with actual snow) and there is a wealth of things to tempt the reluctant skier away from the slopes. This, I discovered, was my way into ski-holiday acceptance. Spend an hour or two wobbling on the nursery slopes trying to preserve as much dignity as possible before joining your comrades (whose stories of near-death make your confrontation with a pine tree seem slightly less dramatic than a few hours ago) and getting stuck into that much hyped après-ski in Chamonix’s bars.
With a wealth of restaurants and bars to choose from, Chamonix’s night life certainly makes the embarrassing slips and slides on the pistes almost worth it. While I am usually accustomed to getting my grove on in full-on party attire, having the option to do your thing without all that effort certainly makes for a change (and who is going to navigate snow in heels anyway?).
Chamonix weather is certainly chillier than back home, but there is something rather special about snuggling up with a warm drink knowing you can relax for a whole evening before you are required to (wo)man-up on the slope again. And who knows, after a week,your sun-lovers heart just might chill out a bit?
Kirsty Brown is an enthusiastic English travel writer. She is an avid explorer and linguist and as such travels the world in search of new finds to share with others.
In the spirit of the Season, I thought I would share with you different Christmas events that are celebrated all over the world. Click on the map to learn about each one!
Looking for something different to do this Christmas? How about a night with Richard Clayderman, a world renowned pianist who holds the title of “The most successful pianist in the world”, not a small claim to fame by any means.
Accepted into to the Paris Conservatoire of Music at the age of 12, Clayderman has recorded over 1200 melodies in his career and has clocked up world record sales of nearly 70 million.
This Christmas Clayderman will be performing at The Great Hall of the People, West of Tiananmen Square, on December 25, 2010.
If you happen to be staying in Beijing this Christmas, this celebrated concert is not to be missed. Tickets are available in packages at $231-$247. Treat yourself a little by booking yourself into a 5 star Beijing hotel with Hotelclub and make this Christmas night unforgettable.
Hong Kong is truly one of the most diverse cities in the world, culturally and now climatically!
Who would’ve thought you can experience a white Christmas in this hustling SE Asian city? Thanks to the clever chaps at Ngong Ping 360 (or NP360 as it is affectionately known) and a giant snow machine, you can enjoy an artificial snowy Christmas in a surreal Hong Kong setting.
The Christmas festivities include artificial snow falling from a giant Christmas cable car café, a family craft workshop, an angel workshop, a food fair showcasing Chinese and western Christmas-themed dishes, Christmas carols, and loads more!
NP360 has already established itself as a popular tourist destination. With its first Snowy X’mas, it is definitely a destination not to be missed.
To make your stay to Hong Kong the trip of your lifetime, Hotelclub offers a wide array of amazing packages that will suit your needs. You are sure to find a Hong Kong hotel that will make your stay memorable!
There is no better place to celebrate Christmas than in the party capital of the world – Las Vegas. You might find yourself at the crossroads of too many hot parties to choose from but this show is truly something special.
Celebrate this Christmas in a breathtaking fantasy water world that is “O” and let Cirque du Soleil take you on an unforgettable journey led by a team of talented performers, acrobats, fire dancers, and other entertainers.
Shows are s scheduled on Wednesdays through Sundays from 7:30-10:00 pm. Admission to the show starts at $165. Guests must be at least 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult.
Known as Germany’s biggest Winter Wonderland, Magic Moments at Europa-Park is another must-go destination this Christmas. In addition to the wide array of fun rides it usually offers, Europa-Park is mixing in a big dollop of Christmas cheers by incorporating a Sleigh Ride Snowflake, skibobs, ice skating rinks, Christmas markets, snow ramps, ice bars, and a whole lot more.
The biggest attraction this year will be the big wheel in its Icelandic theme. Atop this terrific ride is a spectacular view of the magical winter wonderland.
Magic Moments is being held from November 27 to January 9.
The beautifully decorated trees and twinkling lights will surely brighten up your Christmas. If you can’t get enough of this wonderful festive place, you can choose from a variety of cosy Berlin Hotels nearby to prolong your experience.
Do you want to experience a one-of-a-kind Christmas event? Fed up with Santa Claus and want to be naughty this year instead of being nice? Then let’s experience a hellish Christmas with the Prince of Darkness at the London Dungeon. You won’t believe how naughty and frightening Christmas can be… oh yes! It’s about time that Christmas merry makers are punished for being too nice.
Satan’s Grotto at the London Dungeon opens on December 11-26 from 10 am to 5 pm. On Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, it will be open from 11 am to 4 pm, and will be closed on Christmas Day. Admission costs £23.00 for adults and £17 for children. Turn Christmas on its head and be sure to check out the many accommodation deals in London at Hotelclub.com .
The blissful season of Christmas is upon us once again! What better way to complete this wonderful celebration than to spend the festivities with your family and seeing the Grinch in person at the Universal Orlando Resort! Brace yourself for a fun-filled celebration. Enjoy the beauty of sparkling Christmas lights and decorations, and have your photo taken together with the Grinch and even get an autograph! This is one of the most famous events you simply can’t miss.
One day theme park tickets cost $112 for adults and $104 for children aged 3-9 years. One park access for adults cost $82 and $74 for children.
To make you family holiday budget stretch, there are many affordable Los Angeles hotels to choose from on hotelclub.com
Have a truly unique Christmas and visit Santa residing within 30 tonnes of carved ice!
You will be greeted at the entrance of the Chill On Ice Lounge where you will be handed a large winter coat to prepare you for the sub zero temperatures inside. The Ice Lounge is exactly what the name suggests, everything inside, including the bar and the glasses in which drinks are served, are completely made of ice.
Santa will be sitting on his ice throne from Dec 15 to Christmas Eve and you can bring your little ones for an artic experience that they will hardly forget.
Children’s photo packages are available for $30. Bookings essential.
19th Annual Holiday Train Show with Gingerbread adventures
Immerse yourself into a miniature NYC this Christmas at the Holiday Train show at the New York Botanical Gardens.
Designed by the award winning Paul Busse, replicas of 140 New York City landmarks endow the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Each replica is constructed of entirely of natural materials: nuts, tree bark, fruits, pinecones, and leaves, making this exhibition even more unique.
G-scale model trains have been doing their rounds around the miniature landmarks to the delights of countless visitors over the past 18 years.
If you are a locomotive enthusiast, or simply looking for something different to do this Christmas, get yourself down to the Holiday Train Show.
There are many New York City hotels near the Botanical Gardens but be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
For a Christmas trip your kids will love, you can not go past Disneyland Paris.
Fairy tales come alive in this magical world and this mega theme park is going to be even more magical this Christmas with the transformation of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle into an ice palace.
You will see one of the biggest Christmas trees you will ever set eyes upon and of course Father Christmas will be meeting and greeting you and your family in his toy workshop.
Standard 1 day tickets cost £48 for adults and £44 for children aged 3-11 years.
There are seven Disney-operated hotels at Disneyland Resort Paris. However, you can also choose to stay in one of the many hotels in Paris which offer free shuttle rides to and from EuroDisney.
Location: Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Cost: Free
The Biggest Christmas Tree in the World
It might be in the Guiness Book of Records, but not many people have had the pleasure to witness the biggest floating Christmas tree in the world in the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon.
The Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree, standing at 85 metres high and adorned by over 3 million lights this year, is one of Rio De Janeiro’s proudest traditions. Over 100,000 people gather around the lighting of the tree in early December and it remains lit to the delight of over a million tourists each year.
This year is the 15th anniversary of the Bradesco Seguros Christmas Tree so Rio is sure to be more festive than ever.
Make your reservation now for your Rio De Janeiro hotel and see this great wonder this Christmas.
The Sydney Town Hall is one of Sydney’s most famous landmarks, and lately it has also become one of Sydney’s most prominent canvases.
This Christmas the external walls of the Sydney Town Hall will be lit up by decorative projectors to present some wonderful photo opportunities.
Every night from 18 November to 25 December images evoking A Sydney Christmas will be projected onto Sydney Town Hall, injecting a big does of Australian into the festive season.
Everyone has their own ways of celebrating the Christmas holidays. Most people put up colorful brilliant decors dangling around their Christmas trees and houses, while others may be satisfied with the presence of their loved ones and families during their festivities. But why not do both to get the most out of your Christmas?
Japan is one place that puts up an amazing and breathtaking illumination displays when it comes to the Christmas season. The display along Marunouchi Naka-dori (the avenue connecting Yurakucho and Otemachi) will include nearly 850,000 champagne-coloured LEDs. Additionally, there’ll also be an 8m tall Christmas tree (displaying gold and silver lights and a range of specially imported decorations) on display at Marucube, situated on the first floor of the Marunouchi Building.
The display will be open from November 11 to December 25, 2010 and there is no charge! With all the singing and frolicking around, you might want to extend your stay in Tokyo. There’s a wide selection of affordable Tokyo hotels you can choose from. Just don’t forget to bring your camera and capture all the precious moments you’ll have with your family!
I am not sure when I stumbled across Kyle’s blog? What I am sure of is that after only reading it once I was instantly enchanted by her words. At the time her blog was more of a tribute to the 2 loves of her life: her Chilean husband and Chile. However, as her photography business evolved her pictures then became the primary focus. I remember leaving a comment on one of her post’s, which had displayed photos from a wedding she had recently shot, that one day I would hire her to shoot my own wedding — her photos were that impressive. Little did I know that that comment would in fact one day come true!
When I became engaged this past May one of the 1st things I was able to cross off my gigantic to-do list was ‘hire a photographer.’ I would have planned my wedding around Kyle’s schedule if I would have had to, as once my heart is set on something all other options cease to exist. Kyle had to shoot my wedding; there were no ifs, ands, or buts.
Since Kyle lives in Santiago, my fiancé in Buenos Aires, and I in Charlotte there was sadly not going to be an engagement session. I did need new head shots though, so before arriving in Santiago I arranged a photography session with her. As the trip approached, Kyle proposed the idea of a boudoir session instead. I instantly agreed, not really giving myself any time to think about my decision. Once it began to sink in that I would be basically posing (tastefully) nude and that my pictures would be on display for the whole world to see I began to rethink my decision. Never one to let fear stop me from anything though, instead of canceling the photo shoot I upped my personal training sessions at the gym and spent a little too much money at Victoria’s Secret. I know that whenever I am scared of something that simply means that I must do it.
On the morning of the photo shoot, I was surprisingly calm. I am certain the fact that I had only slept a couple of hours and was still feeling the effects from the previous night’s over-consumption of champagne were to blame. After a quick shower and a couple of deep breaths, everyone began arriving to my suite. Kisses and introductions were given and soon I had a cup of coffee in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other, while one person worked on my hair and another on my face.
I have decided to split the photo shoot into 3 different posts, as there were 3 distinct looks. Kyle took hundreds of pictures and obviously I will not be displaying all of them, thus if you would like to see more you can find them in my pictures folder on Facebook. Also, Kyle blogged about the entire experience here and here.
She wrote the most touching bio to introduce me to her readers and I thought I would share it with my own readers as well:
I feel that I don’t have the words to describe Andi. She is beautiful, fun, intelligent, kind and exceeded every single expectation that I had of meeting her in real life. I expected to get along great with her. I didn’t expect her to feel like a lifelong friend from the second we first hugged each other at the airport. I expected her to be even prettier in real life. I didn’t expect her to look like a freaking celebrity walking through customs with her sunglasses on. I expected her to be a very cheerful person. I didn’t expect her to be so genuinely joyful that it made me stop and think twice about my own life and how I can try to put that much positivity into the world. She is simply one of those people that radiates light and makes everyone around her better for it. Seriously, if you don’t believe me, go check out her blog and tell me that you don’t leave that website feeling happier than when you came. I have had such a good time having her around in Chile that Emily and I are still trying to plot out a kidnapping plan to make her stay in Chile and NEVER LEAVE US!!! MWAHAHA!
For the 1st look we wanted me to appear as natural as possible. I had very little makeup on and we were going for “bed head.” The progression was to be from me waking up to me getting ready for some fabulous event.
Without further ado, I invite you to view Kyle’s works of art:
So, what is your favorite picture?
Editors note:
*Hair and makeup was done by the extraordinary Rodrigo Farah. If you are in Santiago and are in need of these services, do not go to anyone else.
*Fashion info: lingerie (La Perla), engagement ring (Le Vian), shoes (Zara Espana)
As fall unfolded in the States, I excitedly boarded a plane to South America. Not only was I escaping the cold, but I was also returning to my favorite continent. And soon enough the autumn foliage gave way to the Chilean sun kissed Andes.
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In the previous post I eluded to the fact that the main reason for me visiting Santiago was because I had 2 girlfriends residing there. Although I had never met Kyle and Emily before in person, I already considered them to be dear friends. I definitely have a blessed life, however the thing I am most grateful for are the extraordinary people that I have had the good fortune to meet along the way, and these ladies were no exception (heads up, I am going to be gushing about their fabulousness for a couple of posts)!
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Kyle and her husband, Seba, graciously picked me up at the airport. I was actually more excited to finally meet them, than I was to be in new country. On the way to the hotel, I do not think we took even a second to breath, we were talking that much. Totally love at first sight.
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Being a seasoned traveler, I usually plan all of my trips by myself. However, several months before this trip I befriended a travel agent, Erina, on Twitter. When I mentioned this trip to her, she offered to help me plan certain parts of it. I cannot put into words just how impressed I was when I walked into the W Santiago and was treated like a Queen and upgraded to a suite. Not only that, look what was waiting for me when I walked into my room:
I quickly showered and changed and off Kyle and I were to meet Emily for lunch. Again, love at first sight! The 3 of us chatted away like we had been best friends for our entire lives and I silently thanked the computer gods and goddesses for helping me discover their blogs years ago.
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Then Emily had to return to work, so Kyle took me toEl Centro Artesanal de Los Dominicos to show me a different side of Santiago. It is handicraft village found in the heart of Las Condes community. You can easily get there via the Metro and I recommend a trip if you are feeling the need to escape the city.
Me entering the village. Yes, that is a Juan Valdez takeaway coffee you spot next to my purse!
We wandered around for a while gossiping on just about every topic we could think of, though the hot topic of the day was our mutual love for Latin men (Kyle is married to a Chilean and I am of course marrying an Argentine).
While I could have easily spent another couple hours in the village with Kyle, I also wanted to make sure that I gave myself some time to enjoy my hotel. How could I not when it looked like this:
The view from my private terrace.
The rooftop pool.
I tore myself away from gazing at the majestic Andes and got ready for my night out on the town. The 3 of us rendezvoused again, this time at the restaurant La Peluqueria Francesa in the historical barrioYungay. The decor and food of this place was fabulous, making it the perfect selection by my girlfriends, and not because it is one of those hidden gems that only the locals know about. Halfway through our meal and 2nd bottle of champagne, a man approached our table. At 1st we assumed that he was trying to hit on us, but we quickly realized that he had recognized Kyle and Emily from their blogs and simply wanted to introduce himself. About 5 minutes later Emily noticed a tweet by the guy exclaiming that he had met “Twitter celebrities.” It was definitely a humorous and memorable experience. Oh, the life we bloggers lead!
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Way past midnight, we were forced to call it night, because in just a few hours I would actually be playing a celebrity myself. . .
For those of you unaware of the announcement I made several months ago regarding my engagement, news flash: I am getting married!!! Never one to lead a simple and uncomplicated life, my fiance (who is Argentinean) and I decided to have the wedding in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sounds glamorous, yes, but that also means having to plan a wedding 5,012 miles away. So, with that glamor comes the potential for mountains of stress. Luckily one of my best friends happens to live in Buenos Aires and offered to be my official wedding planner. She is such a saint for assuming this role and after the crazy roller coasters that she has had to ride on my behalf (do not worry, I will share all of the gossip in time) I promised her I would name my 1st born after her, regardless if it is a boy or a girl!
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While Skype has allowed us to keep in touch every single day, we both felt that I needed to visit Buenos Aires at least once before the wedding to give my final blessing in person on everything that had been decided. Plus, I owed her a couple of bottles of Malbec for all that she had done for me. Thus, a trip to Argentina was in order! I decided to use the last of my American Airlines points for the flight and while I was playing around with the flight schedules online I noticed that I could use the same amount of points that it would take to fly into Buenos Aires to also fly into Santiago, Chile. The thing that I most love about American Airlines and their frequent flier points system is that you can book one-way tickets, whereas most of the other airlines require you book round-trip tickets in and out of the same city.
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I have always wanted to visit Chile and especially as of late, as I have 2 dear friends residing in Santiago. However, every time I have had the opportunity to visit I have declined, because if I was going to go to Chile I had to visit Easter Island while I was there. And all of the opportunities never included enough time for that tropical sojourn. Now the opportunity to visit Santiago was presenting itself to me yet again and I did have the time to visit Easter Island. To say I was elated was the understatement of a century! How could one not be seduced by the fact that it is the most remote island in the world?
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After weeks of planning, I finally decided on: 2.5 days in Santiago, 3.5 days in Easter Island, a half day in Santiago, and then 10 days in Buenos Aires. A new country, an exotic island, and over a week in my favorite city with my favorite people — it was the recipe for a perfect trip. Oh, and there was to be a surprise trip to Colonia, Uruguay as well!
Having never been to the Algarve, I had always imagined it as a lesser-known Costa del Sol — a haven for beach-lovers and those wanting a ‘fly and flop’ extravaganza. I was, therefore, surprised to discover that while the beaches certainly were enticing there is more to the Algarve than first meets the eye. Take the accommodation for instance, which ranges from cheap and cheerful beachfront apartments to luxury 5-star spa and golf resorts (all complete with their own pool of course so that you can continue your sun worship from the comfort of a pool lounger). If you like the idea of a bit of pampering the As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa should tick your luxurious lined boxes as it is home to Portugal’s largest spa (7 Spa).
Get off the beaten track and discover the hidden spots on the Via Algarviana Nature Trail where you can take in the countryside, while stopping off in quaint villages to stock up on picnic goodies. If you are like me and are not a fan of map reading (translated as: terrible with directions) never fear the strategically placed posts mark your route so even the most navigationally challenged individuals will have an enjoyable amble.
Hikers are not the only ones who may delight in the Algarve’s warmer winter climes. Golfers are also onto a winner since the Algarve is packed with golf courses where enthusiasts can practice their swing. It is fair to say I am not much of a golfer, but I did enjoy a rather fabulous meal in a local Algarvian grill (seafood, naturally) while my travel companions were airing their clubs.
Kirsty Brown is an enthusiastic English travel writer. She is an avid explorer and linguist and as such travels the world in search of new finds to share with others.
If you are looking to travel throughout Portugal, make sure to use BootsnAll hotel search tool to find the best hotel deals.
Song of the post (click the link to see why I chose this particular song):
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On my last morning in Cuba I experienced the country at its most frustrating. After eating a delicious Cuban breakfast at our casa and saying our sad goodbyes to Sergio, Miriam, and their daughter, we departed for the airport. We checked in with the airline and got through customs with no problem. I wanted to get rid of as much evidence as I could of me being in Cuba before returning to the U.S., so I spent my last few CUC$’s on a book (Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Year’s of Solitude” in Spanish) and a salsa DVD, only to find out 5 minutes later that our flight was going to be delayed for 7 hours. !Ay Dios mio! Now, I was stuck at the airport with NO money for food or drink and I was going to miss my connection in Cancun. Normally I would not have been too distraught over a delayed flight, since I am a seasoned traveler and have accepted that this is a part of traveling, however I had my final exams of the semester of Graduate School scheduled for the next day and they could not be missed under any circumstances. I excused myself from Kristin and some other Americans that we had befriended and went to sit alone for a while to regain my composure. I calmed myself down by listening to Buena Vista Social Club on my iPod and reading my book of the trip that was fittingly named, “Es Cuba: Life and Love on the Illegal Island,” written by Lea Aschkenas.
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Travel did not protect you from the dark side as you wished it would. It merely allowed you to experience everything, the good and the bad, more fully and deeply.
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My companions during my looong wait at the airport: my book and iPod (if you look closely enough you can see I was listening to "El Chan Chan").
After a while I came to terms with the fact that there was nothing I could do about the situation and I did not want to let it ruin my unforgettable time in Cuba. Those 7 hours in the airport afforded me a time to reflect on my trip. The island was full of life and desperation at the same time. Surrounded by tropical heat, the beat of salsa music, dilapidated architecture, and the constant presence of political unease; in Cuba I had the constant feeling that something was just about to occur, because in a place so full of uncertainty the only thing that was for sure was that something inevitably would happen!
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As we were finally boarding our flight we discovered that the reason for the flight delay was due to the wheels of the plane catching on fire upon landing and they desperately had to search for new wheels to replace the charred ones. If you find yourself on a Cubana flight in the future all I can say is buena suerte!
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Prior to our trip, Kristin and I researched how to avoid getting our passport stamped twice in Mexico. We both came to the conclusion from everything we had read and heard first-hand that the customs agents in Mexico would see our U.S. passports and know not to stamp them again. Wow, were we wrong! Apparently, you need to place at least 20USD$ in your passport when you hand it over to the agent as a bribe. Neither of us had any money left and begged the agent to mercifully let us pass through without the stamp, but to her we were just 2 rich gringas that deserved a little lesson. After much begging, she eventually let us choose which page the stamp would go on and we both chose pages that were covered in stamps in hope that the second stamp would go unnoticed by U.S. agents.
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The U.S. State Department’s official policy has been that the embargo we have against Cuba is purely economic. Therefore, it is not illegal to visit the country per se; it is only illegal to spend money there, which of course we did and is completely unavoidable. There is a hefty fine and possible jail time for those caught. I was convinced that everything would work out in the end and I tried my best to convince Kristen’s troubled mind as well.
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Unfortunately, the Jetblue counter was closed by the time we reached Cancun. Thus, we would have to wait until the morning to try and get on the next possible flight. I was determined to have Cubana pay for our hotel room and although it took over an hour to get my wish, not only did Cubana pay for our hotel room, but they also paid for our dinner and breakfast the next day!
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Afterward: After the disaster we had the previous day, we needed good news and good news in abundance is what we got. We left for the airport immediately after breakfast in order to be the first in line at the Jetblue counter. For a small fine, we were able to get on the 1st flight out that day. Miraculously, my cell phone, which never works in a foreign country, had a signal and I was also able to call my Graduate School and let them know that I would not be sitting for my exams. I received a slap on the wrist, however they allowed me to make them up later in the week (and I passed!).
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In the end not only did the U.S. agents not see our 2 Mexico stamps, but I was able to smuggle in my 30 Cuban cigars without getting caught!!!
Playa del Blanco is a deserted beach with a wide strip of fine, white sand (hence the name) that slopes gently into the sea. It had some of the calmest waters I have ever been in and was definitely one of those beaches that is so beautiful it inspires you to want to give up everything and live out the rest of your days there.
Another view of Playa del Blanco later in the day when the sun appeared.
While I was eating lunch one of the captains of the catamaran started dancing with me.
In a song about tourism in Varadero, once a Cuban vacation destination and now off-limits to locals, the singer Frank Delgado lamented,
The last time I walked through this land, it was still my friend Cuba. I did not need a passport. I do not remember when the peninsula was taken from my hands or even whether anyone asked my opinion?
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While I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Varadero, there was always a guilty pain in my heart of being somewhere that the natives could only dream of returning to one day.
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In the evening the 3 of us decided to take salsa lessons from Sergio, whom had generously offered to teach us the basics for free. Salsa is difficult to master, but when done well it is a mesmerizingly sensual dance. I struggled to follow Sergio’s lead the entire time. For me it was a challenge to combine the hip movements with the simple forward-back step. However, even though I failed on the dance floor, I am really happy that we ended our trip on this note. Instead of focusing on the sadness of leaving a place I had come to love; I laughed, sweated, and learned something new and essentially so Cuban.
Sergio teaching M. how to move his feet.
M. and I walked to a part of El Malecon and said our goodbyes. I thanked him for enriching my trip in ways that were indescribable and as a token of my appreciation I gave him my Lonely Planet Cuba guide to use on his last days on the island. We promised to see each other again soon and I knew that for once this was not one of those empty promises you make to those you meet on your travels in order for the goodbyes to be not as painful.
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Afterward: M. and I did see each other again. . .a week later in Los Angeles! I helped him celebrate the last destination in his round-the-world trip. We could not stop talking about our adventures in Cuba the entire time together. Oh, and I got my precious Lonely Planet Cuba guide back.
