Back to Havana

When I woke up, I got ready to leave as we were heading back to Havana. At breakfast, I told them I wasn't feeling well and the guy in charge of the casa went and got me electrolytes, which is probably why I was sick in the first place. I'm sure I was dehydrated, although I also think something didn't agree with me. I ate a few pieces of fruit and drank some chamomile tea before needing to run back to the room to be sick again. It turns out there were 4 of us sick. The team voted to skip our trip to Santa Clara on the way to Havana as it would add a few hours of travel. I was bummed but also grateful. Orledis stopped at a drugstore on our way out of Trinidad and bought some electrolytes. He filled my water bottle up to 1 litre and gave me 4 packs of the strawberry flavoured powder. And he made me drink it. I was sick at the rest stop too and was just exhausted from being up all night. I didn't feel nauseous anymore as Drugstore Janet (she's a paramedic) had given me a nausea pill, but I felt weak and tired from not sleeping. Once we arrived in the casa and were given our rooms I asked Orledis if there was a way to get some bananas. He asked the guy at the casa who went out and got me a whole bunch and wouldn't let me pay him. I ate one and went to bed for the afternoon. I felt way better by evening, though starving. I had another banana and got ready for the farewell dinner. Orledis took us to a restaurant nearby, with air conditioning. I ordered a Sprite, white rice and some chicken that sounded pretty plain. When the food arrived, it turned out that the chicken wasn't just lemon but also coated in crunchy plantains and deep fried. They were delicious but I only had a few. After dinner we went back to the casas where we said goodbye to each other and Orledis. It was sort of a bummer ending to an awesome week as so many of us weren't feeling great. But it was an amazing time regardless. I am so grateful to have met so many wonderful people and that Orledis was our guide. He was outstanding!

Orledis and I after the farewell dinner....