Cuba: A Bridge Between Cultures - Back to Havana

Return to Havana

Ernest Hemingway's House

January 31 - February 2, 2013
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Hotel Nacional

On our long drive back to Havana, we stopped at Vinca El Vigia, the home of Ernest Hemingway, which is now a museum. From there we went to and checked into the Hotel Nacional, a beautiful old and well-maintained building constructed in 1930, a bit away from the city center. 

Dinner was provided for us at the Ludwig Foundation headquarters where we met many artists and learned about the foundation.

Lizbeth, our local guide does interview.

The next day we spent time at a day care center run by the Catholic Church where four-year-olds sang for us. We visited the Museum of the Revolution and had lunch at the Café del Oriente in Old Havana complete with live music and again the offer of a CD for purchase. In the afternoon we traveled through town to see a rehearsal of the Ebony Dancing Group, a collection of young aspiring ballet artists.

Cigar roller.

After free time we had our farewell dinner at the Conde de Villanueva in Old Havana. Just before going into dinner, we watched a cigar rolling demonstration – quite cultural, as Cuba is known worldwide for its fine cigars – which of course, cannot be taken into the United States. During dinner a seven-piece small group played for us followed by yet another chance to buy a CD.

The ride back to the hotel in old convertible cars made us all feel like teen-agers again.

As our plane to Miami did not leave until the afternoon of our last day in Cuba, on the trip to the airport we visited El Callejon de Hamel, a pedestrian street decorated with odd and unusual works of art such as contorted bathtubs and colorful unique murals on the building walls.

Next was a brief stop to see a statue of John Lennon and a final homage to Revolution Plaza where we saw the last of the old cars that have become a hallmark of Cuba. We flew out of Cuba delighted with our visit and with the work of our two guides, Ruby Gatins and Lizabeth Rodriquez.

Our Great Group (at the Hemingway House)

That's it for now. Grace and Paul