Havana

March 17, 2016

Prior to the flight, we were provided a package of papers from the charter company that included Cuba Travel advice and two forms that we understood we had to complete. One was for Cuban customs, the other I never understood and though the customs form was taken as we exited into the lobby of the terminal, the other form came home with us.

Upon collecting our bags, we had the usual passport check and in Cuba's case a luggage and body screening upon entering the country. They also had "declare" and "no declare" doors.

Our Cuban guide, Yadelis(Jade), and the Explorica representative, Jorge, were waiting for us outside. Also waiting for Cubans were a mass of Cubans behind a barrier anxiously awaiting the appearance of relatives and friends returning.

We boarded our modern Chinese Yutong bus and made our way toward Havana.

Jorge, from Explorica, was Mexican, while Jade was a Cuban, who was working on her Phd. in African/Cuban Poetry and had spent several years as an interpreter in the Cuban administration. She told us that many from her generation were considered the Y generation as many had names beginning with Y. Jade's husband was a Cuban TV reporter and was excited about covering Obama's visit later in the week.

Jorge

Jade

Our first stop was at a social art project that among other things, involved using discarded materials to construct art. The project was housed in and old water tower that had one time been used to provide water for steam engines at a rail yard down the hill. Included in the complex was a kitchen and dining area used for banquets. The project offered teenagers the opportunity to learn about ceramics, theater, music, painting and dance. The teenagers were allowed to come as often as they wanted. Art works were sold and 50% of the proceeds returned to the project for support.

We were entertained by a band that included a homemade percussion instrument. Salsa was also introduced and some of the tour members participated. I purchased a CD of the band's music to use in my slideshow of pictures. The band singer autographed the sleeve.

The project had received an award recognizing their accomplishments.

Mural

Homemade Percussion

Dining

The government has allowed citizens to open private dining facilities in their houses. They are called Paladars. We understand that the government places a hefty tax on the paladar revenue.

We had dinner the next night at one of these paladars, called La Opera, located in a Havana neighborhood. We were to learn that the food is better at the paladars, than at the government run hotels.