April 26, 2016

We had an interesting lecture after breakfast from Carlos A. Lloga , called “Religions of Eastern Cuba”.   He talked about all sorts of religions and beliefs. I thought one of his quotes was quite introspective and true.  “In the world there are people in every religion who do bad things.  That is the person not the religion.”  We learned that from 1492 to the end of the 19^th century all Cubans were required to belong to the Catholic Church.   There have been several popular religions in Cuba through the years.  There is “Devotion to the Virgin of Charity” and “Espiritismo de Codon”,  which the adherents communicate with the dead.  “Palo Monte”, they have a portable universe.  “Nfumbes” are people who ask the spirits of the dead about life challenges and decisions.   “Ndokis”, is the spirits of accidents and unusual circumstances.  “Santeria” is a cult that represents African ancestors and “Vodu Cubano”, which is voodoo that came from Africa to Haiti to Cuba.  Animal sacrifice is common in the voodoo religion.   

After the lecture we were off to Baracoa which is on the Far East end of Cuba.  (As I sit here in October 2016 and write these blog posts I am very saddened to learn of the devastation of Baracoa, Cuba due to Hurricane Matthew.   Baracoa was such a beautiful, fun city.  The people are happy, the sites beautiful.  My heart and prayers are with the citizens of Baracoa.)

Along the way we drove through the Province of Guantanamo.  Guantanamo is the poorest province in Cuba. 

The entrance to the Cuban land surrounding the Guantanamo Naval Base. 

We stopped along the way to have a picnic lunch on the beach.  It was heavenly!

It's much easier to keep the bathroom sink clean when there are no faucets to wipe.

Some locals fired up a pig roast.  It was awesome!

Another self portrait

 Psssst.  I always knew the beaches would look  this good.     (bc)            

    

Back onto the bus for more traveling.  In the mountains we change to rain forests and tropical climate

We loved our bus driver!

We finally get to our hotel  and it is very tropical in its design and appearance.  Rooms are nice yet rustic, tile floor, air conditioners work (whew!) and a nice pool near the bar, with rum! 

We had a buffet dinner at the hotel which was nice as we didn’t want to travel anymore.   We had had been

through several different climates today.  Cuba is always interesting!

bc and gc

   

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

April 24, 2016

 

We had a long, rough drive to Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in Cuba.  Along the way we stopped at Bayamo and a choir sang for us. So fun and inspirational.  Their last song was “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” It was all very moving.  Amazing!  

Sites along the way

 Granma is the name of the province and the boat that Fidel Castro used to arrive in Cuba for the revolution

 This is public transportation.  We saw the exact same vehicles transporting cattle also. 

 

After lunch, we are back on the “road” with a stop at the most important Catholic church in Cuba, la Caridad del Cobre.  It was a beautiful church and has been visited by 2 popes.  It is interesting and quite lucky that there are 2 Catholic churches still in Cuba.  Religion is frowned upon in the Socialist government; however Cuba has a strong Catholic background.  Most Cubans are Catholic. 

Finally we arrived at the Melia Hotel in Santiago De Cuba, a nice respite after rough roads and rusty accommodations.  We were glad to be at a hotel that was a little less rustic.  And we got our laundry done!  Yay!  This isn’t easy on a trip like this.  

Our tour leader Rene is from Santiago de Cuba and insists it is the most beautiful city in all of Cuba!

We are so enjoying ourselves.    bc and gc