We started off our morning in Baracoa visiting a "casa particular." Their are hundreds of them in the city of Baracoa. They're private homes that are rented out. The one we visited typically rents to foreigners. It is called La Casa de Daysi. She advertises by word of mouth, the yellow pages and through casa particulares in other providences. You can identify a casa particular by the anchor looking symbol out front of the house. The cost per night is $20 CUC. Daysi must pay $60 CUC per room (she has 2 rooms for rent) per month plus 10% of what she receives in rent to the state. Breakfast is included and for a small additional fee other meals can be prepared for you. Prior to the opening of private business in Cuba, Daysi worked at a polyclinic as a bookkeeper. Many private business owners are excited for the opening of the relations between Cuba and the U.S. as they think it will drastically be improving the tourism economy.
We then visited a cacao plantation. We learned about the cacao season and plant as well as the family that lives on the plantation and some of their traditions. We also were able to try the fresh cacao fruit before and after it had been dried. One of the family members had been asked to research the dance of Son that we had practiced earlier and she discovered a family that had practiced a dance called Kiribá that has been around since before Son. We were able to view the dance and practice it as well. One of the steps involved a foot movement that drags the foot in a motion similar to that of the plantation workers moving cacao beans. We then experienced an authentic Cuban meal that they had prepared from their home for us.
¡Hasta mañana!
Very nice that your birthday had a surprise. As far as that outhouse, it looks bigger than a port-a-potty! You both look like you're having a good time, but it will be nice to have you back home! Have a safe flight.
ReplyDelete