Matanzas hadn’t been the plan. But it told her more about Cuba than Havana ever could.

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She went out the next day, from Varadero., looking for a bus or a Taxi to Havana It was a cool and bright morning, as mornings in the Caribbean generally are.

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Getting around wasn't as simple as planned. After climbing through the boot of a 'Taxi" whose doors didn't open and being dropped off at a bus station (apparently) she sat on her suitcase to wait for the promised bus. Which apparently was headed for Havana.

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However... she was kicked out in Matansaz. She had no idea where that was, and the internet in Cuba wasn't great. In fact, it was non existent. Unless you were a westerner and could afford a really expensive hotel. If not, you needed a card. 

 

There was a long railway track across a river. It looked abandoned. There were missing planks and it was quite scary to walk across. You weren’t sure if the wood would give way under your feet, and the drop below was long. She tiptoed carefully along the track, trying not to look down due t the vertigo. 

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Other than the height above the water, the route was fairly peaceful and it was really interesting to follow the old line through the neighbourhoods that wouldn’t have been on any tourist map. 

Then she heard a rumbling.

 

She looked behind her.

 

And there was a train.

 

Approaching very slowly, and looked far to heavy for the antiquated wood in was travelling on. Though it was slow, it was approaching faster than she was moving. 

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She forgot about the drop below and started to run - no idea to where, just following the tracks. 

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She managed to jump of the track into a railway siding just before the train caught up with her. 

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She caught her breath and took a look and. No idea where she was, but exhilarated and confused by the experience.