April 25, 2016

 

Today we visited a local polyclinic.  This is a medical facility that is a step above a Doctor’s office and above what we would call an urgent care type facility, but slightly below a full-fledged hospital.  There are labs for blood draws, urine tests, physical therapy, injections, ultrasounds, EKG, and dental clinic.  The equipment was at least 15 years old.  It was pretty crowded.  There were a lot of people waiting for service with a 3x5 card system for setting priorities.  It seemed clean but not very sanitary.  Open windows without screens, slime dripping from a pipe on the roof of the 2^nd floor down onto the courtyard.  As we walked among the patients everyone was very cordial and polite, nice people. 

 "Indication of Therapy Card"

 

Next we went to Cutumba which is a local rhythm group.  They play African-Cuban music with drums, gourds, automobile brake drums and an old shovel head.  Very creative.  They taught us the rhythms and we attempted to make our own music as a group.  Let’s just say we needed a lot of practice.  Their rhythms sound simple but are surprisingly, subtly complex.  Ending with a cha- cha line dancing around the room, a good time was had by all.  Fun!

May Day pole ready for a celebration of laborers and the revolution. 

We traveled from a yacht club (more equal members) to a small island for lunch.  Ah yes, this is the type of Cuba we want to frequent.  But it isn’t the real Cuba.   A short distance away we could see a lovely mansion overlooking the water.  We asked who owned the home and we were told it belonged to Raul Castro.  He entertains government and foreign guests there. 

          

 

We visited El Morro, a colonial Spanish fort guarding the Bay of Santiago. It was very hot and had beautiful views.  Did we tell you if you’ve seen one fort, you‘ve pretty much seem them all?  

 

So we could rest from the hot fort, we stopped at a rum and cigar store.  Of course we had to sample a little.  We didn't want to be rude!  Then on to San Juan Hill.  Yes, the very same Teddy Roosevelt and the rough riders charge up San Juan Hill, hill. 

During what we call the Spanish American war, Teddy and his Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill to end the rule of Spain in the Caribbean.  It is a lovely memorial to the American Soldiers who fought in this battle.  Rene explained the entire history of the Spanish American war, ending his speech with “Will you please forever call this war the Spanish-Cuban-American war?  This war gave Cubans freedom from Spain.“   We all agreed.  My great grandfather was in the Spanish Cuban American war though I don’t know if he was ever in Cuba.  I looked for his name on the monuments but didn’t see his name.  I’ll have to research this a bit.  This was a beautiful memorial and view.    

 The entrance

 The hill

The look out tower

 

 

That night we walked with several friends to Restaurante Setos for a wonderful dinner.   It’s in a converted large old home with excellent food, and a great wine list.  After dinner we were off to bed, we were tired.   

Good night everyone!  bc and gc