Cuba is
only 80 miles from our home in Jamaica. Every Friday a small cruise ship leaves
Montego Bay for a 7-day trip to Cuba. It was quite a week – we visited 4 cities
and learned a lot.
 |
| Streets of Havana |
OFAC
(Office of Foreign Assets Control) is the US government Treasury Department
agency that controls Americans’ travel to Cuba and creates the specific
guidelines for allowable travel; our trip was a “People to People” educational
journey under the sponsorship of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, a
US 501(c)3 non-profit.
After a
night at sea, our first port was Santiago
de Cuba where, on 26 July 1953 Fidel Castro struck the first blow
against the Batista government. Fidel and Raúl Castro gathered 123 fighters and
attacked the Moncada Barracks in Santiago.
 |
| Streets of Santiago |
 |
| Rebellion yesterday, hospitality today, heroism always. |
 |
| At San Juan Hill - site of the Teddy Roosevelt battle in the Spanish American war |
After
another overnight at sea including circling around the US base at Guantanamo
(with a Cuban naval escort for our ship), we arrived for a 2 day stay in
Havana. Our official programme was very structured and covered many of the
‘tourist’ sights, but Irene and I were very lucky to spend a day with a local
Cuban friend who helped us learn so much more about the ‘real’ Cuba.
 |
| Enjoying a day with our Cuban friend learning about Havana |
Maria la
Gorda is a nature reserve where we made an afternoon swim/beach stop before
arriving at our last Cuban port, Cienfuegos, a powerful town due to the fertile fields
surrounding it and its position on the trade route between Jamaica and South
American cities.
 |
| Streets of Cienfuegos |
 |
| Ceifuegos Harbour |
Our
small ship’s crew were from many parts of the globe; however, the cruise schedule
gave us too little time to experience
enough of Cuba…when we return, we will try to travel independently and
certainly make more time to learn more about Cubans' daily lives.
The
complete picture story is on FaceBook – just click on the LINK:
We wish
all our family and friends a healthy, happy and prosperous 2016. We are
considering extending our Peace Corps service in Jamaica into 2017 (we will
know more soon). Thank you for following our story and for your comments.
As
Jamaicans say, “di fon kyaahn don,
so av a Jaiful airi krismus in di son!”
[The fun
is not done, so have a joyful good Christmas in the sun!]
