Día dos - Habana Vieja (Old Havana)

Let me start by saying wifi here costs money even in a hotel, $7/hr in the current hotel we're in and it is very sketchy and disconnects often. I don't know how it'll be in the future but I am able to blog disconnected and can save for when I connect. 

Now our day! We started our day with a walking tour of an area of the city of Havana called Habana Vieja or Old Havana. Our Cuban tour guide, Marlón led the way. We saw a number of beautiful plazas. Jean bought some natural coconut ice cream in one of them. 

We also visited a restoration school. They focus on various trades in the area of restoration of various items and buildings throughout Havana. Some of the trades are masonry, carpentry, mural painting, iron works (men only), plaster, plumbing and electric to name a few. Each year the trades focused on change based on the current restoration needs of the city. The school is funded by the government to ensure the restoration of the city. Over 900 applicants apply each year but only 200 are accepted to begin studying with the school we visited.  At the end of the primary level restoration school they receive a guarantee to work in restoration for the state or a privately owned organization and receive a $250 CUC ($250 USD) monthly stipend. Below are some pictures of the workshops where the students practice the current trades. The school teaches ways to conserve the most traditional techniques which are mainly by hand. After this level of schooling there is the medium or second level before continuing to the university level if they're so interested. 

Then we went to visit a cámara oscura. The elevator was broken and the stairs were fun. Jean made it an exercise and climbed and descended on her toes.  This showed us a beautiful view of the city through a reflection and natural light. The facilitator was quite humorous. He "put a piece of himself" in Jean's hand. It's the Cuban flag, it's a little difficult to view in the picture. 

We also stopped at a cafetería and were treated to some delicious coffee straight up by our tour guide. 

After our lunch we headed to the house of Jose Fuster, a famous Cuban ceramicist. We spoke to his son and viewed his home, paintings & tile work. 

Then we went off to The Revolutionary Square of Havana. There is one in each city throughout Cuba. 

Jean wanted a picture driving one of the thousands of American 50's cars. I swear they're more common than any other. Some are in better shape than others. But here she is!

Dinner was at a local paladar, La California in Central Havana. ¡Qué rico! 

¡Hasta Mañana!

¡Llegamos! Day 1

We arrived safely!! And customs was a breeze thanks to Insight Cuba who set us all up. I asked to take a picture of the customs dogs. That was not allowed. Sorry mom! 

We walked out of the airport and saw all the vintage cars from the 50's that you always see in pictures from Cuba. Here are some our first sightings. 

We also met our Cuban tour guide, Marlón and our driver, Paqui that will be with us throughout the tour. They are proving that "Cuban people are warmer than the weather." And it's hot here. Here's our bus!

Some fun Spanish terms specific to Cuba:

Coco taxi: A small vehicle used as a taxi that is shaped like a coconut. 

Almendrones: Older cars from the 50's that are shaped like almonds. Almendra being an almond. See photos above. 

Then lunch! We enjoyed a group lunch in a home (rather mansion) now converted to a restaurant that had been vacated in the 50's. Rice, beans, sweet potatoes and sooo many different delicious meats. We also were able to enjoy a few Cuban musicians during our meal. Jean got a cafecito, I was too hot! 

We arrived to or hotel! And what a view from our room of the Malecón. Nearby is the famous Rivera hotel, where the cake scene from Scarface was said to be filmed.

Our dinner was spent at a local paladar, San Cristobal. Delicious! And it seems a staple for the Cubans to be warm. We had some lamb and lobster in addition to our sharing plates. Afterwards we received a short tour of the restaurant that was once a home that is owned by the chef that lives in the premises. Our tour guides are amazing and answering all of our super specific questions. 

Some new facts we learned today: 

Cubans do not pay rent, mortgages or taxes but that will be changing soon. 

All schools are free and public and all students wear uniforms. Teachers are employees of the state. 

Cuban FAMILIES live on $20 a month.

¡Hasta mañana!

Orientation in Miami

Sooooo .. we arrived in Miami! Before I even get into our orientation.. I must say I am so lucky to be traveling with my colleague, Jean. We travel very similarly, go with the flow, laugh and enjoy every moment. I love it. And we already were caught out in the rain. 

Moving forward. We met our travel companions. There are 13 of us from around the U.S. of all different ages. Some are traveling solo, others with families and then there's us. We are somewhere in the middle of the age range. We also met our American tour guide, Haley. She seems super awesome and perfect for experiencing Cuban culture. Last minute questions were answered and we were prepped for our chartered flight to Havana. 

We're leaving our hotel in Miami at 9:30 AM for our 12:00 PM flight and then we'll be in Cuba! 

Lastly, here is a shot of our name tags we'll be wearing throughout the trip! Hopefully I can update soon! Thank you everyone who wished us safe travels!

Preparation Conference Call

Today we listened in on a conference call put together by our travel company, Insight Cuba with some last minute reminders to prepare us for this adventure. 

Some fun information:

1. No cell service. There isn't a SIM card to purchase for Cuba and apparently there is a device that works with satellite or shortwave radio signal? But that will be confiscated at customs. 

2. US issued bank, debit or credit cards and travelers checks do not work in Cuba. Bring enough cash for an emergency. 

3. Consume bottled or boiled water only. 

4. It is normal for Cuban customs officials to interrogate and search you as you enter and proof of an itinerary may be necessary. 

5. Do not bring more than one laptop, you'll be thought to be a smuggler. What electronics you do bring may be recorded by customs. 

Now for some Spanish specific to Cuba:

Un paladar - private, family-owned restaurant and make for a unique Cuban dining experience.

A lo Cubano - go with the flow, do as the Cubans do.

T - 10 days

The countdown is on! Here in New York our school year is coming to a close. We are preparing for our awaited professional development experience in Cuba which was awarded to us by Funds for Teachers! Everything has been booked for weeks and our travel company, Insight Cuba, has been sending us necessary information including our self decorated luggage and name tags. I hope to post a picture of them in use soon. If you're interested, please see our itinerary below and check back soon for updates. I will try to post daily throughout our trip if access to wifi is available.

 
Sunday, June 28 - Miami

Welcome reception in Miami

Monday, June 29 - Havana
 
Flight to Havana
 
Meet with residents at the colorful mural-based José Fuster Community Art Project

Orientation & Welcome dinner at a paladar

Tuesday, June 30 - Havana
 
Interact with the students and professors of Old Havana’s restoration school, La Escuela Taller Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos

Meet with the director of a local primary school

Wednesday, July 1 - Havana
 
Participate in a discussion about the dynamics of political and economic change in Cuba with Carlos Alzugaray, former ambassador and faculty member of Raúl Roa García Institute for Advanced International Studies

Visit a local food co-op
 
Meet with musicians at a community project in La Timba

Participate in a discussion about life in Cuba with local students and young professionals

Thursday, July 2 - Santa Clara

 Depart for Santa Clara

Discussion with specialist at the community children’s project "Compañía a la Sombra de un Ala" at the Provincial Art Gallery

　
Educational exchange with Piquete Melodías Antilanas, a band that plays 19th century Cuban music on 200-year-old instruments. They will be accompanied by Danzon dancers "Alegrias de Vivir," who will teach their national dance. Visit the Che Guevara memorial and museum

Friday, July 3 - Camagüey

Depart for Camagüey

Visit the restored square Plaza de Carmen

Meet with local artists in their studios before visiting a local art school

Explore the mazelike colonial center of Camagüey with a local resident by bicitaxi
 
Saturday, July 4 - Camagüey

Meet with the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC)

Visit the Andariega children’s community project

Meet the dancers of a local ballet company

Sunday, July 5 - Santiago de Cuba

Depart for Santiago via Bayamo

Participate in an educational exchange with the members of the Choir of Bayamo

Continue on to Santiago, stopping along the way at Cuba’s most important church, La Caridad del Cobre

Monday, July 6 - Santiago de Cuba

Meet with the students of a local art school

Meet with musicians to learn local rhythms

Take a short boat ride to Cayo Granma for lunch

Visit a local polyclinic

Tuesday, July 7 - Baracoa

Participate in a discussion on Afro-Cuban culture and traditions with university professor Marta Cordies

El Morro, an impressive colonial fort guarding the Bay of Santiago

Depart for Baracoa, driving the coastal and mountainous route, one of Cuba’s most scenic highways

Wednesday, July 8 - Baracoa

Discuss the history and traditions of Baracoa

　
Visit with a local coconut farmer and learn about the regional delicacy, cucurucho

Visit a neighborhood peña, a street activity, sponsored by the City of Culture

A night of live music and dance at Casa de la Trova

Thursday, July 9 - Santiago de Cuba

Meet with local residents in their homes and learn about new private enterprises in Cuba

Take a tour of Baracoa, stopping at the Cathedral and the local pharmacy, the oldest of the 19th century 
Visit an artist’s studio to meet with young local artists

Interact with the members of Grupo Nengón Kiribá, the traditional Baracoa music-and-dance ensemble, followed by a traditional lunch

Depart for Santiago de Cuba

Friday, July 10 - Miami 

Depart for La Mella, a community of talented painters focusing on naif art

Depart for Miami