Havana Day 2

March 18, 2016

Our oldest son's 50 birthday today. Glad we were able to spend some time with him before departure for Miami to start his celebration.

The Hotel Copacabana is on the edge of Havana on the sea. Fairly nice place, though as with most hotels we would visit, no elevator and lots of stairs. One of us, the youngest, was placed on the 5th floor. Sorry for her, but glad we weren't. The hotel had a lobby bar with nightly music. The bar was open 24 hours. No beach on the sea, but a nice pool that closed at 6.  Breakfast and dinner were buffet style as was the case at all hotels and some restaurants. No alcohol in dining area, but at lounge bar beer was $2.25 and Pina Coladas were $3.25.

After dinner the first night, we walked to 5th avenue where rich white Cubans lived before revolution. Now embassy row of huge mansions for several countries. When we returned to hotel, a St. Pats Day party was underway in a conference room and lots of Irish music.

Buffet breakfasts and dinners were the same at all hotels. About the only major change was the flavor of ice cream, which was usually the best item on the hotel menu. Breakfasts did offer made to order eggs, usually omelette style or sort of scrambled. Cuban cereal left a lot to be desired. Coffee was excellent. Dinners at hotels were lots of rice dishes, beans and not so tender pork and beef. Though tough choices, didn't see anyone suffering. Usually we were offered two free drinks, but only alcohol was beer.

Pictures depict the pool and view from our room. The hair dryer provided in our room caught fire when the fan failed to work. Luckily I was able to blow it out.

View from our room in Copacobana

Each morning had us up and ready to go usually around 8:30-9:00. This day we had a new bus driver who would be with us the rest of the trip. The bus shown earlier handled about 24 people, so it was good size for our group of 22 with guides. The driver, Antonio, though not speaking English, understood much and participated a lot in assisting the Cuban guide in identifying sights. He turned out to be quite the "card". At one location, he danced with Jade to the music played by the musician. He also worked hard at loading and unloading our luggage each day and assisting us on and off the bus.

Our first full day in Cuba kept us busy. We began with a visit to the Museum of the Revolution. Originally the Presidential Palace, Castro turned it into the museum, while maintaining much of the original character of the palace. The local guide was extremely knowledgeable and so enthusiastic about Cuba's history and the history of the palace and the revolution. 

While outside waiting for the museum to open, a group of students posed for pictures.

 Also located behind the museum was a display devoted to the revolution that exhibited tanks, planes and vehicles involved in the revolution. On display in a humidity controlled enclosure was the Granma used to fairy 80+ from Mexico to Cuba including Castro. The boat was designed to carry maybe 25 and almost didn't make it to Cuba's shore. Though this venture was unsuccessful, it was the beginning.

Also on display was an airplane used by one of U.S. funded pilots. He detonated a grenade upon leaving plane killing himself. Since CIA would not admit involvement, Cuba kept his body for 19 years until we admitted involvement.

Mural of the Granma

Posted on walls were an interesting drawing of Castro from not too long ago and some caricatures of our past presidents. You should be able to tell who's who.

Of course Che Guevara is represented almost more than Fidel in pictures and reference. Che was Fidel's sidekick during the revolution and his picture is everywhere as his name.

The following picture shows in the dark paint where they were painting over all the gold trim in the palace.

We next went to another social project centered around what originally was a barbershop and still is, but a barber museum has been added in addition to a barber training school. Those being trained include boys and girls. This profession is an ever expanding one in Cuba. Had recently opened a bartender school as well. Here are some pictures from the Arte Corte:

Display of old barber tools

The school/barber operation also helps support a daycare/rehab facility for seniors. Some of the seniors were in the street playing dominoes. Also spotted this colorful dress along the way.

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The school and related art gallery helps support a kids play yard, too, developed with themes of barber tools.

Kids park 

Our stop for lunch was at Figaro restaurant, where the meals were quite presentable. The owner allowed patrons to write on the walls and ceiling. Someone there before us had used "PreObama". We of course included something to represent our group and we all signed.

Sample of our lunch

Our groups contribution to wall writings

Here's a picture of Julie, the college director with Havana Club rum sign. Her smile was there almost every minute of the trip as was her careful attention to details.

Here's a pick of the only beers available to tourists. Usually free to us, but if we wanted more, 2 CUC's was cost. Cristal was light and Bucanero was "dark". I favored the Bucanero which had a .5% higher alcohol rating and better flavor.

This picture depicts a Cuba Libre (rum and cola) served in the typical glasses. We purchased two of these glasses for our collection.

Our last stop before dinner was at the Havana Compas Dance studio where girls and boys learn traditional dance and drumming. This program has participated in International events including one in Tampa in April. They used drums and chairs to create the dances and music.

Our last visit of the day was to the National Hotel which sits high on a hill overlooking the sea and the old walled fortress. The hotel is and was used for all dignitaries who visited Cuba. Pictures hung on the walls of the bar/lounge area of all those who had stayed in the hotel. Great effort has been made to maintain the grounds and structure inside and out. Was evident that preparations were under way to spruce grounds up for Obama's visit, we assumed. The following pictures are an attempt to depict this historic place.

Picture Gallery in lounge area

Wurlitzer

Model of the hotel

Registration

Other pictures of Havana:

Street in our painting

Last stop was a huge market inside some old warehouse on the water front near where cruise ships dock and opposite old Havana. Huge number of vendors, many selling the same stuff, but some original.