Conversation

19:52 (GMT-4) or 01:52 (GMT)
WE JUST LANDED! I've rarely experienced a smoother landing. The people clapped, probably because the 9 hour flight is finally over! The clouds before landing were magnificent, I took dozens of pictures. Now, once landed, it's very foggy everywhere.

Before the flight, I had a debate with my girlfriend about whether to bring a sweater. I was of the firm belief that I wouldn't need one, due to the general temperature in Cuba, she said something about the flight possibly being cold, which convinced me, since I remember my first intercontinental flight when I was 15 to San Francisco from Reykjavik to be very, very cold up in the air. This time I had to take that sweater off, I still believe I won't need it for this trip.

20:21
Currently at the D'Viajeros. There's two cameras pointed at everyone walking by, taking pictures of their faces, which are displayed on a laptop screen. It was kind of creepy seeing it so transparently, but at the end of the day most / all airport security systems take pictures of your face, I guess this was the only one that shows it. I was advised to not take pictures, already caused a scene back in Germany when trying to film the TSA. Generally I should inform myself better when it comes to filming in public, as military personnel for example isn't allowed to be filmed.

21:18 (GMT-4)
I'm already on a bus! After passing through every check the airport had and getting our luggage quote swiftly, a local guide picked us up who is coordinated by the first of may brigade and in extension Cuba Si. He's known to the organizers of our group who were welcomed by him with open arms.

Once entering the bus close to Havana airport we started driving and got a small introduction about the CIJAM and what we can expect in the coming days. Looking around, it's fascinating seeing many oldtimers (some of them even being Trabbis).

Sadly, due to the very different climate and thicker air (very good idea to take off my sweater, btw) my camera's lense was frogging.

We drove past the Plaza de la Revolución, INDER (Instituto Nacional de Deportes, Educación Física y Recreación de Cuba), and the ministry of defence...

21:32
The longer we stay in the bus, the more the thick and warm air becomes apparent to me.

It started raining, luckily I have my rain jacket in my bag.

21:47
We've arrived at the hotel Deauville in Havana. There's still a buffet and we're all pretty hungry and or tired.

22:44
We got incredible food. Not many vegetarian options, but they were great anyway! Even with dessert. We figured out that we can exchange euros for Cuban pesos at the hotel lobby, which would be smart considering the WiFi here is also 25 CUP / hour. If you're reading this, I've probably paid that amount for some hours.

Once I'm settling down and all things for tomorrow (such as the time to get up and general planning) are sorted, the feeling of “sudden” tiredness overcomes me. It's 5 AM in my original timezone, I've been up for 23 hours already, what a long day...