April 19, 2016   

After breakfast we had a private lecture by Camilo Garcia from the National Union of Writers and Artists in Cuba (UNEAC).  He discussed the economic, political and social challenges Cuba faces from pre-revolution (1959), to post embargo and Russian departure from Cuba, a time they call the “troubled times.”   Before being with the UNEAC Mr. Garcia was a diplomat from Cuba to the US, Canada and Europe.  He was one of the privileged few who were able to travel outside Cuba.  Cubans are happy that the “blockade” as they call the embargo, will be lifted.  Cubans like Americans and want us to visit.   

After the lecture we traveled a short distance in our bus to Old Habana.  By the way, the bus was made in China.  No really!  It was quite nice.  We walked through old Habana seeing many crumbled buildings and some newly restored buildings.  Both rural and urban homes, where most Cubans live are run down.  The norm is peeling paint, concrete floors, unsafe stairs (what railings?) and walks, crumbling walls, no windows just wooden louvres, and no air conditioning.   In 1959 when Fidel came into power the wealthy Americans lived in Old Habana in lovely, large exquisitely furnished and maintained homes.   These Americans were mostly involved in mob activities and lots of money flowed in Cuba.  Cuba was the American mob bosses playground.   When Fidel came into power all the Americans escaped immediately leaving everything, including their homes, furnishings and cars.  That is why there are so many 1950’s American made cars in Cuba today.  Also the reason there are so many 1950’s American cars in Cuba is because Cuba doesn’t build much, including cars.  (Most people ride bikes.)  The other type of car we saw were very utilitarian small box like cars from Russia.  They come in your choice of color as long as your choice is blue or white.  When Fidel came into power in 1959 all these beautiful mansions in Old Habana and elsewhere in Cuba were assigned to multiple families.  So a home that was meant for one family, was now home to five or six families.  Over the last 57 years no one has kept these homes up.  Toilets break and they stay broken, walls have holes and are not fixed, tile is broken and never repaired, water and electrical lines are not repaired….after 57 years that’s a lot of crumbling buildings. 

The United States Embassy

After lunching at La Imprenta,   we went to the Old Habana restoration school, La Escuela Taller Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos.  There we met the young students who are accepted to this school.  It is difficult to get into this school.  The students spend 2 years at the school learning varied types of restoration and restoration materials.  They work in Old Habana.  This is their “free education.” 

We then walked to the Camera Obscura.  I found this interesting and odd at the same time.  You go up a rickety elevator that holds only ocho (8) people.  We were then ushered into a small dark room with a large white dish like thing.  It reminded me of the old dishes people had in their yards to get TV and internet.  There was a mirror up in the ceiling that reflected onto the white dish (sphere.)  Then a man used a stick to move the mirror around and we could see all of Habana!  We thought it was cool, but so impractical given the thousands of other things that Cuba could spend money on.  After the dizzying display, we got out of the tiny room and walked around the roof of the building to see, you guessed it, all of Habana!  Just be careful when you get near the roof line.  There are no railings and there were partial rebar pieces sticking up. 

A domed building left by the Russians.



Fortress de San Carlos de la Cabana

We were taken to Revolutionary Square.  You might have seen pictures of Mr. Obama speaking to the Cubans at this location.  It is basically a black topped parking lot type area.  One of the buildings has an outline picture of Che Guevera.

While we were duly impressed by this Cuban spot of importance, we were more impressed by the taxis that drove up and parked along the curb.  Oh yeah!!! 

I took these two pictures with my cell phone.  They are some of my most favorite pictures of the trip.  I love the angle, colors and the memory it provides!

Going back to the hotel we met in small groups with “select” individuals to discuss what life, work and family life is like in Cuba.  “Everything is free” is the general mantra.  Education, health care, food, etc. are all free.   But homes and apartments are hard to get.  Many live in their parents’ home, which is most likely an apartment, and take over the home at the parent’s death.  Interestingly we were told that there are 127 people for every 1 doctor.  The doctor lives in the neighborhood of the community he or she serves. 

So “you can see the Dr. anytime for free.”    We later found out that the “local” Doctor is the local Doctor for many local neighborhoods.  The Doctor works 1 day a week for a certain number of hours at each location. 

 

We had a nice dinner at La Casa.

See you tomorrow!  bc and gc