Joey and I are safely back from Cuba. We spent just over two weeks there rock climbing and smoking cigars. Actually smoking cigars was cheaper and easier than burning citronella to keep the mosquitoes off. The country is amazingly poor and lacking what we consider many basic human needs. The area we were in, Vinales, was one of the worst hit villages from hurricane Ike. Many homes are still without roofs, even though they were still in the heart of their rainy season. We met many local climbers and we left them much needed climbing equipment so that they can continue to develop a strong local climbing community. We hope that their economic condition improves with increased diplomacy in the upcoming Obama administration. It is hard to see our neighbors doing so poorly. We had fun but it is nice to be back with our families for the holidays.
