I don't have cholera!

So says this piece of paper. I've had big stomach issues the past three days so went to the doctor. I'm taking cipro and got an anti-parasite drug as well.

I'm fine and it will pass. I think it's just a bad case of food poisoning (though not as bad as Jenny's episode two years ago in Tanzania).

More observations on my experience at a Cuban clinic when I return.

Day 2: Guadalajara - DF - Havana

- woke at 4:45am. My cab hadn't arrived so I shared a cab with some business guys to the airport.
- very tired and I lost my debit card somehow, so canceled via skype. Easy
- used a United Airlines club pass, where I stocked up on cereal and coffee
- met up with Jenny. Flew to cuba with Interjet. The stewardess walked through the cabin spraying aerosol air freshener. Strange. Maybe Fidel brainwashing us.
- arrive in Havana. Jenny was wearing her money belt on the outside of her clothes so we immediately get pulled aside by an immigration officer who questioned us for about 20 minutes and wrote down our responses: why are we here, what is our profession, what is the website for where I work, why didn't we fly directly to cuba (instead of going through Mexico). Other Americans had this happen to them as well. We asked not to have our passports stamped and they obliged.
- waited in line for 45 minutes to exchange money. Talked with Americans on a fly fishing trip.
- cab ride to Aymee's house in Vedado. Right by the university. Nice looking rooftop deck. She's very friendly and gave us tons of info.
- Walked to the stadium (where I'm about to go running and do stadiums), then to the malecon for a moment before getting hungry. Ate at a place Aymee recommended but it smelled like garbage. Very cheap food. Mojito. Walked to a park where they only sell ice cream. The security guard pointed us to the stand where they accept CUC (vs the Cuban peso). The place where all the locals were looked like Tomorrowland. Very strange.
- walked into hotel Havana Libre, where we read about the revolution and how Fidel made use of the hotel. Not over the top, but clearly pro-Fidel.
- bed by 10:15. Slept for 10.5 hours. The most I've slept without sleep aids in three months. Thank goodness for air conditioning.

The thing about cuba is that it's in the Caribbean, which means it's hot as hell. We're about to go running at noon. Probably a bad idea but we both want to keep up exercising.

FYI I am probably going to hold off on blogging any more until I return to the US. At the very least, I won't write about any sensitive topics.

El Tapatio - more than just hot sauce

Last year when I flew from Dulles to Oaxaca, my Aeromexico flight was canceled. This year I made it from sfo to Guadalajara, but the flight to DF was canceled. But this wasn't a problem. Aeromexico put me up at El Tapatio, a palatial hotel on top of a hill overlooking the city. It looks like a converted fort. I had a headache most of the afternoon, so I went on a quick run, dipped in the pool, and am now waiting for my (free) and presumably delicious dinner while I watch the Pachuca-Queretaro game on TV. My flight to DF leaves at 6:30am tomorrow and ill undoubtedly be exhausted tomorrow, but the day worked out in the end.

Also, yet again my Spanish proved invaluable. And, my love for Mexico grows and grows. I feel very welcomed here.