De Todo un Poco (A Little of Everything): Día Diez

We started off our day in the city of Baracoa with the city historian. We sat and spoke in the church of Baracoa that had originally been a hut and most recently restored 2 years ago. When Christopher Columbus landed in Baracoa, he had planted 29 crosses. The last original, which recently was carbon tested, is located here. When Christopher Columbus landed in the harbor in Baracoa he named it Porto Santo after a port in Portugal that seemed similar and that he had married in. He spoke passionately about the city of Baracoa's connection to the U.S. and the previously more amiable relations.

We then visited a local gallery named after the first art teacher in Baracoa.

We saw the original city hall of Baracoa that has never been relocated as other city halls of Cuba have been.

Then we were off to a museum. Baracoa was the first capital of Cuba. It is the city with the most biodiversity in all of Cuba. We also spoke of Baracoa's connection to New Orleans with the relocation of many people of French decent.

After the museum we headed out on the Toa River. They say if you bathe in this river, you will return to Cuba. We had a wonderful guide, Josmel who shared with us some information. There are "domesticated" crocodiles (riiiight), piranhas and crabs in this "Amazon" of Cuba. It begins in the mountains and flows into the Atlantic.

I was THINKING about going in, since it was my birthday and all... and our tour guide, Haley "helped" me along...

Some salcocho with lunch!

After lunch we were off to a Cucurucho farm. Cucurucho is a mix of coconut, honey and almonds. It was a nice treat! Those are all almond shells on the ground in the pictures below. Our Cuban guide Marlón is holding a cone of Cucurucho as well.