Cuba (Part 3)

2 July:

After court (if you've been on a rugby tour, you'll know what I'm talking about), where our particular "badge of ignominy", which is a "yellow jersey" entitled "poof de tour" is awarded. This morning, quite unusually it was jointly "won" by two of the younger lads. The jersey, which is only laundered BETWEEN tours, has to be worn at all times by the recipient (except in bed, on the rugby pitch, or swimming). It was therefore not a surprise to see both lads in the one jersey. (The temperature was 30 C)

Later that day, we all went to Havana for a game of pub golf (don't ask!). Everybody took it very seriously, but it had the inevitable conclusion, everybody got very, very drunk. (It transpired later that there wasn't even anyone sober enough to collect the scorecards).

3 July:

There's a game scheduled today against an Havana select, KO 5.30. All the "players" are having the day off drink in preparation (the over-indulgence of the day before is really of no consequence they say .. yeah). We older guys are quietly pleased to get a chance to re-charge the not so sprightly batteries. (although you'd never get any of us to admit this).

The very high temperature (and very high humidity) and the 4 day bash the lads have been on takes it toll on the pitch and the surprisingly well organised, and fit and strong locals hold us incredibly to a 0 - 0 draw.

You don't get many of them! I'm trying to explain the game to some locals and without a score to show them, it was pretty difficult to demonstrate the point of the game, although they really appreciated the athleticism and physicality.

A full set of my pics of the tour can be found at Flikr

Cuba (Part 1)

I joined my rugby club from Glasgow to tour Cuba for 10 days:

30 June:

Waiting in Gatwick for our 6 hour delayed flight, with images of burning vans being driven at Glasgow Airport on the TV, it was a chance to meet some of the new faces among the 50 odd tourists.

We are a very disparate club and the tour party reflects this; all ages, background and professions. It's the strength of the club, I think. [There is 5 pairs of father and son on tour]
All had gone really smoothly up to now; only one lad had lost his passport (drink had been taken the night before, we suspect) and was on his way back to Glasgow at serious expense to get a temporary replacement, and would not join the main party until day 4 in Cuba.

1 July:

Our hotel was well appointed. My roomey and I were among the first to check into our rooms (at about 2.00 am local time) and unsurprisingly were first to find the pool bar.
It seemed almost within moments of being told it was open 24/7 that we were joined by 50 pals. It was quite a few hours later (and a few "fan-heaters") before bed.

More to follow.

A full set of my pics of the tour can be found at Flikr