May 31, 2004
Change of Plans

While we were sailing towards Havana we found ourselves filled with mixed emotions. In the moment of truth we realized we had enough of officials (Maciek) and missing family and friends in Canada (Tobi). Also there was an element of "I hope it won't be like in Santiago," where we felt exasperated dealing with money-hungry locals skinning tourists for a living (Maciek) and trying to communicate and appease everyone (Tobi). Big Cuban city, like Havana, seemed to have all the signs of hassling we were not ready to take.

After passing yet another lighthouse from which barrage of radio traffic flooded our VHF in Spanish followed by broken English sentences read from more or less relevant cue cards I was ready to reconsider our destination. I put it down to Tobi and we decided to think and pray about it. After couple of hours, giddy with excitement we watched our boat responding to a slight motion of the tiller changing our course towards US of A. For me the big seller in this decision to abandon Cuba were perfect crossing conditions. We were at the point of shortest distance to US. The wind was just perfect and the seas surprisingly flat. It felt great. I guess Cuba is one of those sailing destinations you love to come to and love to leave from. Buenas noches, amigos.

Maciek