Since this year’s Thanksgiving was nothing but Mucinex and Neti pots, I’ll share some of last year’s Thanksgiving break to Cuba. I love seeing family and hanging out watching the National Dog Show, eating pumpkin pie slice after slice but there is just something about being abroad during the holidays…
We tried to pick up a few snacks but at this grocery store, like others, the shelves were almost empty.
This is how we spent Thanksgiving day... lounging on the ruins of resorts, snorkeling, and sipping on coconut juice and rum. Can't beat it.
El Dandy, one of the best places we stopped at for lunch in Havana.
Cuba Libre, rum + coke
Colon Cemetary
Jose Marti Memorial, Communist Headquarters, Revolutionary Square. Aka the Eye of Mordor.
A few days ago was the anniversary of the death of Fidel Castro. It was indescribable having the opportunity of being down there when something this huge just happened. The outpouring sadness and pride was incredible. The country shut down for 9 days, no booze, no music, no baseball. Many of the older generation was definitely devastated but when you looked over at the younger generation, they didn't seem to care as much. The change is looming here but the national pride and identity is so strong that the Cubans will be able to adapt, ensuring the culture will be around for years to come.
The day we found out about Castro's death we were on our way to Cienfuegos and Trinidad.
View from the Bell tower of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco in Trinidad.
The burning of the mountain.
The hustle and bustle of the streets of Trinidad.
A budding photographer.
There are many ways to get around town, one way is via Coco-taxi or tuk-tuk.
Our awesome driver.
Another way around town is via pedi-cab. Here's a clip of our ride back to the Airbnb.
La Cabana, the fort that Che Guerara was in charge of. Yikes. Here, they shoot off a canon at 9 PM every night from the walls. The tradition started in the 18th century. Before they would shoot off a cannon twice per day to signal when the city gates were opened and closed. They kept the 9 PM cannon shooting as part of their heritage and tradition.
The view from the fort.
Callejon de Hamel is an alleyway located by the University of Havana created by Salvador Gonzales Escolana, a renown “afro-cuban” muralist and painter. In 1990 he started painting and adorning the street outside his apartment and eventually creating a unique two-block long space for musicians and artists. While looking in a gallery, one of the artists told us that Salvador came to Philadelphia to work with the mural arts program. They created “Butterflies of the Caribbean,” which you can see at 163 W. Susquehanna Ave. in Fishtown/Kensington.
The Malecon, the place to be, whether it be fishing or people watching.
This fruit, I forget the name, was super sugary and had pits in every piece but it was addicting. It was my breakfast for several days.
The market next to our Airbnb.
This day was the ceremony where many Communist world leaders bid farewell to Castro.
We walked to Revolution Square with all the students, where it seemed mandatory for them to go.
They chanted, waved signs, and painted their faces as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
The square filled up quickly with Cubans being bused in from nearby towns. Close to Revolution Square were food tents that were being mobbed. People seemed to buy hundreds of sandwiches at a time. No restaurants were open except for one and we got the last pizza.
While we were waiting in the crowd we met this woman whose father was in the military with Castro during the Revolution. She showed us pictures of them together and his armband.
