The U.S. Travel Ban and Meeting Tina and Sonja Again

Since Trinidad has turned out to be such a pleasant place, we decide to extend our stay by two more days. Another beach day feels like the right way to enjoy it.

On our way back from the beach, we meet an American couple, and the four of us share a taxi back to town. Americans are actually quite rare in Cuba. Without special permission, visiting the country is still technically prohibited for them. During the Obama administration the enforcement became more relaxed — the enormous fines that once reached tens of thousands of dollars are no longer applied — but the restrictions still exist. Like many others, this couple has simply chosen to come quietly.

In the evening we meet up again with the German girls Tina and Sonja, who have now also arrived in Trinidad.

After the live music at Casa de la Música ends around 12:30 a.m., some locals guide us to another party spot just behind it. The place is an old building without a roof that has been converted into a nightclub. In Cuba, caves and roofless buildings seem to be perfectly normal venues for late-night parties.

This time, at least, we manage to return home with all our belongings — unlike the previous night, when Marek’s hoodie and the girls’ sweaters mysteriously disappeared from the backs of our chairs.

The night ends with music, dancing, and laughter. After much persuasion, Marek finally convinces Sonja to join him on the dance floor — and once she starts, she hardly wants to stop.