Last days of Russia

The last few days of visiting Russia was great.  The weather was very cold and I wanted to experience the winter.  I wore typical Russian clothes.  I was surprised to learn in the days of Peter the Great that people who wore beards had to pay a special tax.  By the 4th day I got use to the subway system and no longer used my car.  It was hard to drive due to all the snow.  I was not excited to have to come back home, but I knew I had to get back.  I went back to my hotel and fell asleep.  I woke up and went back to Moscow.  I got on a plane and flew home to the U.S.  I slept on the plane and dreamed of all my travels.

Day 2

Russia was amazing.  One of the first places that I saw was St. Petersburg Cathedral.  It was amazing.  I also went and saw the monument built to Lenin.  It was great.  After the monuments I went and got food at a Restaurant.  I ate Lapsha Chicken Soup which has chicken and noodles.  I tried the subway but it was confusing since I don't speak the language.  I ended the day by taking a taxi back to my hotel.  I slept well that night

Arrival to Russia

I flew from South Africa to Moscow.  The flight was very long and I was tired when I arrived.  I rented a car and had to drive to St. Petersburg.   I was staying in the Pushka Inn in St. Petersburg.  I was excited to visit the sites.  I had heard they have great monuments.  I had always been interested in Lenin.  The hotel was very nice.  It was located in the middle of St. Petersburg.  I was tired and went to sleep.  I was excited for the next days adventure.

Nelson Mandela

I always thought meeting Nelson Mandela would be interesting.  He was a political prisoner for 27 years and released in 1990.  In 1994 he received the Nobel Peace Prize and then President in May 1994.  While I was at my hotel I was able to meet him.  What a charismatic person he was.  We talked about politics and history.  He invited me to have dinner with him.  We ate at La Perla restaurant in Cape Town.  It was an honor to meet him.  I went back to my hotel and  went to sleep.  The next day I boarded a plane on my way to Russia.

South Africa Sites

South Africa has some of the best places to visits.  I went to see a place called Table Top Mountain.  This mountain has a cable car all the way to the top of the mountain.  I went up the cable car and had a wonderful view of Cape Town.  When I was on top of the mountain I was able to hike.  I hear the winds sometimes stop the cable car from working.  I was glad I was able to use the cable car, it would of been a very long hike.  When I came back down the mountain I went to a nice restaurant.  I went to Beluga and had a four course meal.  I started with Beef Carpaccio and had Roasted chicken for dinner and a White Chocolate Beignets.  It was delicious.

South Africa

The flight from Cuba to South Africa was long.  I planned on staying in South Africa for about two weeks.  I was staying at the Mount Nelson Hotel.  It was in Cape Town which is a very nice city.  Most of my traveling was by walking, bus, and I even once used a rental car.  Some of the food that I ate Bobotie which consist of minced meat and egg.  I also had banana slices and pieces of coconuts.  The food was delicious.  Something interesting that I learned was that you need a license to purchase a TV.  So far South Africa has been a very interesting country.

Last Week

I knew leaving Cuba was going to difficult.  I enjoyed seeing the country and staying in Havana.  The beach at Cayo Coco was beautiful.  I also like staying at the Hotel Plaza.    I didn't know that the police can be very strict.  I heard that somebody can be imprisoned up a year for very small things.  After all my searching I never found my relatives.  Perhaps someday I can go back and look for them again. I look forward to my next destination.  I am going to South Africa.

First Week

The first few days were very exciting.  I was able to walk to most places.  My hotel was located so close to everything.  I did rent a car just to have in case I wanted to travel farther.  One of the best things was all of the food.  I was able to eat traditional Cuban bread and Serrano Ham, swiss cheese with mustard.  On the third day I drove to the beach.  The water was so beautiful.  The beach area was called Cayo Coco.  I t was fun.

Arrival to Cuba

Traveling to Cuba was going to be difficult.  I knew that the U.S. and Cuba were not friendly to each other.  I was able to get a passport to Cuba because I am 1/4 Cuban.  I wanted to visit relatives that still live there.  My mom told me that my Grandfather (my mom's dad) was born in Cuba.  We think I might have a Great Uncle that   live over there.  I arrived to Cuba from a boat at Havana.  I stayed at the Hotel Plaza.  It was an amazing Hotel.