During Memorial Day week, I took a cruise to Cuba with my nieces from New Hampshire. Our visas were granted under the people-to-people education exchange program. We had no idea that the US government would ban that program shortly after our return. I do not want to get into any political issues in this post, but we all feel extremely lucky that we were able to go to Cuba.
We had a day and a half in Havana and booked a three hour tour of Old Havana via Old Car Tours. I requested a pink convertible Chevy (1952 Deluxe).
On the short walk to meet our super tour guide, Tony, the local young men were almost throwing themselves at my nieces. They said things like “I will remember this day for the rest of my life.” Once we got into the car, I asked Tony what in the world was going on. He said, “Three things. One, your nieces are beautiful. Two, they don’t see women with dark features and blue eyes. Three, tattoos are just coming to Cuba and your nieces’ tattoos are fascinating to them.”
The car tour was a great way to see the city. We saw amazing styles of architecture, plazas, churches, and even a monument to Lincoln.
Especially refreshing (as it was extremely hot and humid), was our drive through a lush forest. Can you see the elephant below?
Another highlight was Big Jesus. Although the Christ of Havana isn’t the biggest statue of this type, it is the only one made by a woman. Jilma Madera was a well-known Cuban sculptor, and she won a commission to build it in 1953. It is 60 feet tall and weighs 320 tons. All 67 pieces were brought from Italy, where she carved the statue, and where it was blessed by Pope Pius XII. Speaking of religion, our tour guide explained that for now there is religious freedom in Cuba and Muslims, Jews, and Christians can all worship there.
As for crime, there are no guns allowed in Cuba. In fact, other than traffic police, we saw very little police presence. At no time did we feel in danger or threatened as the punishment for crime is extremely severe.
I did see many people waiting in lines. Our guide explained that the people were waiting for their weekly food rations. Due to food shortages and fears of hoarding, the government controls the amount of food each person receives. Heavily dependent on other countries for food imports, Cuban people are directly impacted whenever another country enforces embargos on them.
Despite the restrictions on their lives, the Cuba people are open and welcoming. They are proud and expressive with dancers, singers, and musicians everywhere.
Our time in Cuba was too short, and I hope in the future to return for a longer stay. As Camila Cabello sings in her song “Half of my heart is in Havana ooh na-na.” And the other half of my heart misses Obama na-na-na. Goodbye Cuba, the view as the ship left the harbor.
