CUBA

   I'd like to share a few more photos from last month's trip to Cuba. Below, "on our way", 29,000 feet over Key West.  

 

 

 

When we  arrived in Old Havana, we were greeted by a group that could have marched right out of the Flying Pig Parade.

We soon learned these artists perform here almost hourly.

The view of "Plaza Vieja" from our apartment balcony. There was plenty of room for all seven of us.

 

 

"Woman With Fork", plaza statue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking up from our interior courtyard,

 

 

Old Havana -just 10 % of the city- is where most tourists congregate to visit museums, cafes, the Buena Vista Social Club, and 400 years of architecture.

 

 

 

 

It wasn't unusual to see buildings with no roofs and crumbling walls.

 

 

   I guess people were much taller 300 years ago because all of the buildings in Habana Vieja had twelve-foot doors.

 

 This one led to a stairway and the many apartments above. Stepping inside,

 

 

1780's mansion now the Ceramic Museum

Others stairways were magnificent. 

 

 

 

 

Ceramic typewriter

 

Francesca and her brother shopping.

Chair parade

 

I'm not a city person and so was thrilled when we left for Vinales in western Cuba.

 

The hills you see popping up are vine-covered limestone "magotes".  Rock climbers love these things.

 

 Below, clowning around with our niece and nephew.

 

We rode horses and unlike the last time, I was not thrown by mine. I thanked "Pancho" profusely.

 

Tobacco farm's privy door lock

We enjoyed exciting live music almost every night

Where cigars come from

 

Tractors, like cars, are rare. Much of the  plowing is done with oxen. 

 

 

Days later we headed to Cienfuegos where we enjoyed a bay side sunset.

  In the morning we encountered a Sunday concert by the city's community band. I asked why there were few women attending and was told, "They're in church".

   

On the main square we toured the Terry Opera House where Enrico Caruso once sang for the local sugar barons and their families.

Cabbie on his way to pick up a fare

 

 

The last city we visited was Trinidad on the south central coast.

 

The view from our cottage patio 

 

 

A restaurant down the street was decorated with the shackles used to transport the slaves that built this place. 

 A nicer place to dine

 

 

    Thanks for coming along.  I'd like to close with one of my favorites, "Blue Shirt the street dog".

 

 

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