HAMILTONS ABROAD & AT HOME: CUBA Part I: January 2011

We wanted to travel to Cuba long before we started doing our trips to various parts of the world. Even before the Revolution, Cuba appeared to be a desirable place to visit. Finally, we made it! In January 2011 we spent about 3 weeks traveling through various parts of the country, including such places as Havana, the Sierra Del Rosario Biosphere Reserve, the Vinales Valley and caves, the Zapata Marshlands, Bay of Pigs, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, the Escambay Mountains, and Santa Clara. We traveled by bus, so we also saw a lot of the Cuban countryside as we went from place to place.

We enjoyed Cuba so much that when we had an opportunity to return in December, we jumped at the chance. The December trip was just about a week long, and we spent it all in Havana. The focus of this trip was to connect with the Methodist Church in Cuba and to attend the annual International Havana Jazz Festival. We also had a good opportunity to further explore Havana.

We begin by saying that we enjoyed our experiences on both of our Cuban adventures. The country is beautiful, and the people are friendly. It was easy to mix with people. We always felt safe and welcome. Though most of the people are far from wealthy, they have a spirit about them that transforms their hardships, somehow, into a rhythm of living that is positive. This can certainly be seen through the way that music and the movements of dance are evident everywhere. Walking down a street in Havana, for example, it won’t be long until you will come upon musicians playing in a square, in a park, or just on the sidewalk. We seldom had a lunch or dinner when we did not have live music. Sometimes it would be one or two musicians; at other times, it would be a group 5 to 8. The music was always inviting, melodic, and full of rhythm. What a treat! And, as the music flowed, people seemed instinctively to move to the rhythm, even if it was just nodding a head or the tapping of feet to the music.

We enjoyed our group of 16 persons plus Alex, our guide. Together, with the experienced help of Alex, we delved into the life and culture of Cuba. We saw historical sites in the towns and cities and had the chance to see the people in action. We had the opportunity to visit several UNESCO World Heritage sites along the way. We were inspired with the way that the Cuban people have dealt with the sanctions imposed by the U.S. It has been difficult, but they have gone ahead with life. One example: it is almost impossible for them to obtain fertilizer due to the sanctions. So, they have gradually moved to an agricultural system that is almost totally organic.

I will briefly discuss the jazz festival and the Methodist Church in Cuba after the first set of picture. To sum up this general summary: Our visits to Cuba are high on our “favorite trips” list. Now is a good time to visit – before multitudes of tourists begin to change the unique qualities of the country.

Havana scene from our hotel - a busy, rainy morning.
(Click on picture to enlarge for viewing)

Havana scene

One of the thousands of old American cars that are beautifully maintained.

A good place to observe and mix with people. This is on a long open pedestrian promenade. People gather to visit and hang out; children and young people play.

Observing the activity from above.

A beautiful courtyard in Old Havana

Enjoy the beauty of the children!

Typical Havana scene. Buildings are being restored to their former beauty in

Old Havana

Old Cuban fort and part of the bay of Havana

One of a number of fishermen that we saw working from shore.

Along the shore, people visit and watch the noisy breakers

hit the protective wall.

Traffic of several kinds

Don and Nancy - being watched by Ernest Hemingway. This

was taken in Heminway's favorite restaurant\bar, the Floridita. We have

had a couple of wonderful meals there and, yes, music too!

This ferris wheel is in a permanent recreation park for people

of all ages.

These workers are taking a break from their

window washing job.

A lifesized carving of St. Francis

that is on a church named after him.

A building of many colors. We often saw the use of bright colors

on buildings, evidence of the delight with colors that

the Cuban people obviously have.

A Havana enclosed food market. This one is huge, and

the produce looks good, a result of their use of organic

farming.

Church tower with cross.

Colorful dress. She would like a contribution for a photo.

Another photo opportunity. These costumed people add

color and atmosphere to the large city squares.

She has a good view to see the attractions.

Did Nancy rub his beard like everyone else obviously does?

Don and Nancy in a beautifully maintained Olds. Our guide arranged for our

whole group to be picked up and taken to dinner in American cars

similar to this one.

A sign near Hemingway's home - which is now a carefully mainted museum.

The interior of the home is kept just as it was when Hemingway died.

A view of Hemingway's home in Havana

Hemingway's study where he did a lot of writing, including his

The Old Man and the Sea

Yes, another car.

Well, I had to try a Cuban cigar. We also visited a cigar factory in Havana

We saw these guys and gals on both Cuban trips. They really are tall.

They walk around in the old town of Havana.

They do have a sense of humor. At least they can see

what a snow man might look like, though never in Cuba.

Nancy didn't eat this piece of candy, but it was all for fun anyway. As you can see, this is in a

large square.

A very large and beautiful statue of Christ

These guys put out some fantastic Cuban music.

A Havana food market

Yes, this building is modeled after the U.S. capital.

Don and brother, Ray

Another type of taxi. It requires energy but no expensive gasoline.

'Tis time now for the wedding pictures. It appears that the bride is a bit more formal in her dress than is the groom.

A woman shows off her craft work at a Senior Citizen Center.

Time to look as some pictures of the beautiful children......

The Havana Cathedral and large cathedral square that is often filled with people and music.

Can't you just almost hear the music that is coming from these guys?

An afternoon boat ride in the waters near Havana

A Greek Orthodox Church in Havana

A mosaic plaque near the church that shows Fidel Castro presenting the

Orthodox bishop the keys to the restored church. (see below for close up

of the words in English)

"This cathedral is a gift from the people of Cuba to the Greek Orthodox Church...."

They like chocolate in Cuba too. This crowd is waiting to get in the chocolate factory.

We had a drum lesson led by two popular professionals. Nancy is giving it a whirl.

Don's turn.....

Alex, our guide (with his hands up) translating for us and the tobacco farmer.

Our visit to his tobacco farm was quite interesting.

One of the farmer's fields of tobacco

Don's brother, Ray, and Ray's wife, Laurie

Time for Cienfuegos - but first, the Botantical Garden of Cienfuegos

A multitude of school children in a parade during the observance of The Big Revolution. Note, though, the revolution in question was the one against Spain when Cuba gained its independence.