The world is not enough

It is said that going to Trinidad is like being transported to another era. To check that out we hitchhiked from Havana. We decided to stay in one of the 300 private houses offering accommodation. The vibe of the city is easily felt as historical houses are inhabited by local families. We started to walk around the cobbled streets dotted with colourful colonial houses, all with high ceilings and large wooden doors. Chevrolets from the 50s circulate next to horse drawn carriages. Strolling around we observed the daily routine of the locals. Indeed, in one house, an old lady was rolling snuff leaves to make cigars. Trinidad offers a gentle silence: high temperatures and humidity keep everybody off the streets. Sweating, we arrived to the train station, where XIX century locomotives and wagons have been sleeping for decades. We took the only train still in service, an old soviet wagon-locomotive -a metallic box without windows-, where we were the only foreigners alongside with a disoriented and noisy bat. We descended in Manaca Iznaga station, in the middle of the “Ingenios” valley, where in 1750, the slave trader Pedro Iznaga bought a vast territory. He built a 44m high tower in the middle to control slaves working in the sugarcane plantations. We climbed it to enjoy the amazing views of the valley, with the railway line running through palm trees and crops, surrounded by the Escambray Mountains. I had the feeling of being far away from our globalized world. That night, back to Trinidad, the ambiance was totally different. Parks were full of citizens socializing and Cuban live music was played everywhere. Amidst the sounds of the city, we entered to the paladar Sol y Son, located in and old mansion. This place is simply perfect for a romantic dinner. The food is served in tables arranged around the beautiful patio, with a fountain in the middle. A local band were playing Cuban “son”. Linen tablecloths and silver cutlery, formerly owned by the local wealthy families accompany water bottles that in reality are XIX original perfume bottles from the Parisian brand Guérlain. Candlelight illuminated our menus that offer an interesting variety of local specialities as the mouth-watering roasted pork with Havana Club rum sauce. We ended sipping fresh made mojitos sitting on the stone steps of the main square, together with the crowd. Locals and tourists showcased their salsa skills, following the rhythms of a band playing salsa. It was simply unforgettable.