Category Archives: Cuba

NAME THAT CAPITAL

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Plaza San Francisco de Assis (St. Francis of Assisi Square) is one of  several colonial era city squares in the old city heart of our mystery capital. The square is cooled by sea breezes sweeping in from the harbor, just behind the pictured port terminal. This port is just one of three in the city’s large natural harbor, which opens onto the Gulf of Mexico. The square was named by the Franciscan community, whose 16th-century church and monastery still stands on the south side of the square.

Can you name that capital? 
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Valle de los Ingenios, Cuba

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The UNESCO World Heritage Site Valle de los Ingenios, or Valley of the Sugar Mills, is a series of three valleys near the city of Trinidad de Cuba. The valleys were the center of sugar cane production from the late 18th century until the late 19th century. At the peak of the sugar cane industry in Cuba, there were more than fifty mills operating in the valleys, with over 30,000 slaves working in the mills and the surrounding plantations. Sugar production was an important industry for Cuba from the earliest settlement by the Spanish, who introduced the crop to the island in 1512. The island became the world’s foremost producer of sugar during the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Manaca Iznaga plantation - The 147-foot bell tower once called slaves in and out of the fields. Former slave quarters, barracones, are still used for housing.

Manaca Iznaga plantation – The 147-foot bell tower once called slaves in and out of the fields. Former slave quarters, barracones, are still used for housing.

from atop the Iznaga Tower

from atop the Iznaga Tower

from Iznaga Tower

from Iznaga Tower

NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 122

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These little yellow pods are affectionately known as Coco Taxis because of their resemblance to coconuts. They compete for tourist business with classic American cars, which famously grace the island roads of our mystery country. Essentially, the Coco Taxi is a motorized rickshaw, with 3 wheels and room for a driver and two passengers. If you don’t mind squeezing, a Coco Taxi will get you where you’re going for less money than a “Yank Tank.”

Can you name that country? 
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My Journey through Cuba – A Caribbean Treasure

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By Ya’lla traveler DJ McCoy

My excitement was peaked as we touched down in Havana. I had waited all my life to visit Cuba and now I’m actually here.  What wonderful adventures would soon unfold.

Our group of 20 was greeted with smiles by our guide, Ari, and driver, Jorhey. We set off for a short drive through the streets of Havana and paid a visit to the historical Revolution Square. While there, we got our first up-front look at those beautiful vintage automobiles from the 40s and 50s. Then, we were on to our beautiful 5-star accommodations. A lavish welcome dinner awaited us at a beautiful paladar in Havana.  The food, atmosphere, and people were a delight. What a wonderful welcome day to Cuba.

Over the next seven days, our days were full of scenery, architecture, history, art, music, culture, cuisine and Cuba’s beautiful people.

Our visits included a 16th-century monastery, cathedrals, Christopher Columbus Cemetery, the Capitol building, museums, craft markets and even a Salsa lesson.
In the midst of all this touring, we had the opportunity to visit community projects, day care centers and senior centers, where we had the opportunity and privilege to deliver much needed donations to these beautiful people.

One evening, we were escorted in vintage automobiles to our paladar for dinner.
We drove through Havana in style, as we got to enjoy these beautiful cars.

We toured the home of Ernest Hemingway and visited the famous El Floridita Bar, which was Hemingway’s favorite haunt as it still stands as a major landmark in Havana. The famous Havana Club Rum museum was a great stop, as we sampled our way through the tour.

For lunch one day we were taken to a great restaurant where WE were all chefs and got hands-on instruction into the local cuisine; complete with a chef’s apron to take home. We enjoyed many different dishes that we learned how to prepare, and, of course, the traditional Mojito.

A visit to the Bay of Pigs and Museum was fascinating as we retrace this part of the history of this country that has separated so many from visiting it. To see it all in person, Amazing.

A visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city of Cienfuegos, full of beautiful architecture and culture.

We loved the city of Trinidad, a living testament to its beautiful history of Spanish colonialism – its buildings, restaurants, artisans and cobblestone streets, leave you feeling completely at home. Sugar mills and plantations surround this beautiful city and we saw them all.

It was yet another highlight to visit Hector Luis’ Tobacco Farm, where we were greeted with lunch, drinks, and of course, the famous hand rolled Cuban cigars. As we departed, we saw some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.  A visionary delight.

As my trip draws toward a close, I reflect on the many things I’ve seen, the places I’ve been, and the beautiful people of Cuba. Their hearts are open and their smiles are sincere. They are a resilient people, with kindness in their souls.

I will always cherish my trip to Cuba as one that exceeded my expectations. The experience was life-changing and I will always be grateful I was able to meet the Cuban people and share just a little of what I have with them. I felt like I received so much more than I could have ever imagined.

Proyecto Muraleando, Community Arts in Havana

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In 2001, artists Manuel Diaz Baldrich and Ernesto Quirch Paz began offering free art classes in their depressed Lawton neighborhood of Havana, Cuba. The project quickly evolved into comprehensive community revitalization, fostering civic participation, social cohesion, and investment in place and community. Today, Lawton rings with creative, collaborative energy, the entire neighborhood a rambling art installation. The visual arts are complemented by performing arts; and everything comes together with a joyous street party every six weeks, with music, dance,food and guest artists from around Cuba and abroad.

In the first decade, workshops were held in the streets or a neighborhood park, using the sides of buildings as canvas and found objects to create sculpture. In 2011 an abandoned water tank was transformed into a workshop, performance space and community center.

NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 113

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The Bay of Pigs Invasion (La Batalla de Girón) was an unsuccessful military invasion of our mystery country by a CIA backed paramilitary group in April 1961.

On April 15, B-26 bombers attacked air fields and on April 16, 1,400 troops, including infantry and paratroopers, landed at Playa Girón in the Bay of Pigs. A local militia was initially overwhelmed, before Prime Minister Fidel Castro took control of the counter-offensive operation. On April 20, the invaders surrendered.

Can you name that county? 
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5 Things to do in Trinidad de Cuba

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1. Walk around the city center
Trinidad de Cuba was founded in the 16th century but it really took off in the 18th century when it became a highly productive center of sugar production. Neoclassical, Moorish and Baroque colonial buildings line the cobbled streets, ghosts of a gilded age. Some are perfectly restored, many more are faded and worn, but still beautiful. Trinidad claims to be the best preserved colonial city in Latin America. It could be true. Continue reading →