Cienfuegos-Tinidad

March 21, 2016

Back in Cienfuegos for more detailed tour. Began at a special school started by a woman to aid those 17-30 who didn't have jobs or a trade. Tradesmen in the area teach these people a trade in a hands on environment. The property where the school was needed to be remodeled and updated and the "trainees" were assigned the job of in some cases rebuilding the building. Their work included building from scratch columns, wooden doors, doorways and door arches. They were working with all sorts of materials, then advancing out of the school to trade jobs in the community. We all came away with a great deal of admiration for the woman who started the project and her resourcefulness to keep it running successfully.

Door done by students

Next we visited a fashion designer's shop who was following her dream to design and create clothing of her own. Her son and daughter-in-law were part of the shop. She was planning a trip to Italy to showcase her work. Clothing on display and for sale seemed quite reasonable.

We were given some free time to roam the streets. Of course in the process, we missed the state tobacco shop. We instead visited the theater of unique design. The pictures were tough to take due to lack of light, but give some representation of this great old structure. The stage was huge and very deep. The theater is active. Yesterday, an event was occurring inside.

Cuba still has public telephones as seen in following picture. Also a picture of one of the major structures in and  around the town square. Also example of their street sweepers.

Frequently students appear and begin hamming it up for the camera. Here's just one example. All wear uniforms and the color designates age level of the school. Believe these were middle school.

Of course lunch followed at the yacht club on the water near a marina. Though as you can see it was quite a special building, turns out we were one of many tour groups using the facility. Luckily we were the first. Again food pretty good and ice cream outstanding.

Rear of Yacht Club

Front of Yacht Club

This ferry was transporting people from islands into Cienfuegos.

Our next stop was the Botanical Gardens of Cienfuegos. The head botanist, speaking very good English, took us on an hour tour of the garden that had many trees and plants not common to Cuba in addition to many that are. Included plants were royal palms, bamboos, ficus trees, etc.

Elephant tree

Cashew pods

Brazil Rose

While traveling to our hotel, the bus came to a sudden stop. Crabs were all over the road and running everywhere on the side as well as in the middle. The bus moved slowly through the "mess" as several cars coming from the other way just blew by crushing many crabs. You have to look hard at this picture I took from the bus, but you should be able to spot some. They will be the many lighter colors.

We moved on to Trinidad for an orientation tour of the city. Another all inclusive hotel with a beach right outside our window. We decided we must take advantage of the beach and the salt water. Was great.

View from our room