Santa Clara-Havana

March 23, 2016

Santa Clara, as others, has a large central square. We first stopped there and met our local guide. Traffic was difficult as the town was preparing for a book festival and had shut off vehicle access to streets leading into the square. Actually worked out pretty good for us in the long run as foot travel on the streets, especially around lunch time, was much easier.

Appears to be close to logo for TC Central

Sewing Shop

Our first stop was to the Abuelos de Fiesta. A group of seniors who meet often to dance. The presenters ranged from early 70's to 84. They each spoke as to what their occupations had been. The one male was married to one of the women. They presented history of dance and especially how in the old days, women used fans to communicate to men without their chaperons knowing what they were doing. They had fan positions for just about everything including hiding their faces while kissing. They were quite humorous in their presentations with lots of smiles and laughter all around.

The man demonstrated a game played with a round stick and a spherical piece. He would hit the piece on the ground so that it would bounce in the air, then hit it similar to batting a ball. He would then guess how far he had hit it. If he came in under the actual distance, he lost the game?

Next we got to visit a tobacco factory, which had been added at last minute. Was a great adventure to see how they make them and the different scenarios that go into the process. We were not allowed pictures. Each of the workers had a card that describes the specific cigar they make, so that when they are provided leaves, the provider knows which leaves to give them. We were introduced to the best rollers, both had been there over 20 years and were making the best cigars. Should mention that this factory makes all the kinds of Cuban cigars and sells all of them for export. Each worker is expected to make 100 per day. They work 5 days one week and 6 the next. They are paid by the number they make, so there is an incentive to make more than 100 and some do. They also are given cigars to take home to smoke or sell. Each cigar must go through a quality control process that includes testing for density and weight. Anything beyond the range standard, is returned to the maker. Each cigar takes 3 different leaves-one for combustion, one for wrapping and one for sealing. They said they use maple syrup to seal the cigars, but the paste they were using was clear and did not smell of maple syrup. Some surmised that it was a by product. Each person in training has to do so for 9 months.

Tobacco Factory Sign

Some of the group had gone across the street to a tobacco shop. Since I had mine, we sat and waited for them on the bus. We had been wanting to buy some Cuban coffee, but up to now could only find ground and we didn't want the bag getting punctured and spilling the grounds all over a suitcase. Well of course at the last minute, when the bus was getting ready to leave, someone got on having purchased beans at the shop. We went on back to near the square on the bus and were allowed some free time. We decided that the tobacco shop wasn't so far away and pretty much a straight shot, so Nan and I took off. I had a picture of the tobacco shop sign and Nan remembered the color of the building. Several blocks later I could spot the sign and the building 3 more blocks away. We were able to get a bag of beans and make it back in time for lunch. Everywhere we had coffee, it was always good. Hopefully, what we have won't disappoint us.

Next for lunch, we attended a restaurant that began in 2007 and later added rooms to form a hostel. The owner described how he took a place needing lots of work, borrowed from 3 associates for the financing and grew into what looks like a thriving business. He was proud that he had paid off his debt and was not charged interest.The furniture alone, as you can see below, was not typical.

Restaurant

Inside guttering to carry water off roof

Hostel dining area

Hostel courtyard

Hostel floor

We drove to the Che Guevara memorial. 

Passed another memorial to the attack on the munition's train that was carrying munitions to Batista's army. It was passing through Santa Clara. Castro's men took a D6 Caterpillar tractor and pushed the rail cars off the track, keeping the munitions from the army.

Below is a typical gas station-you may be able to identify the Studebaker Hawk in the far left corner. Also, in addition to peditaxis, horse drawn carts, they also had motor scooter/cycle type carts carrying anything including passengers. Another interesting item was the presence of many electric scooters and cycles. In this town in particular, many were evident. First picture is a sample of a cycle.

Back to Havana for our farewell dinner at the La Casa paladar. Being a private place, the food was excellent. I've lost track, but I believe a Cuban woman and her Italian husband owned this place and served us some great pastas.