“However you feel about the government, however you feel about the last 55 years, there aren’t any places in the world that look like this. I mean, it’s utterly enchanting.” ~ Anthony Bourdain

 Fortunately, we had the opportunity to see the enchanting countryside of Cuba 

as we traveled outside of Havana.  

Hemmingways "Lookout Farm" was a highlight.

It was here he wrote "The Old Man and the Sea" 

whose first line sets the stage beautifully...

"He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream 

and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish."

He lived here from 1939 until 1960...

and often referred to his boat as the 'true center of his life in the Caribbean'.

Our bus rides out to the countryside offered the opportunity to get to know

 our local guide and hear about her life in Cuba.  

The Literacy Campaign was interesting to hear about 

and the mention of Operation Peter Pan enticed further research.

The massive Matanzas Bridge took us...  

to the San Severino Castle... 

built as protection for the city of Matanzas and its bay from pirates.

The Slave Route Museum offers a visual of what we have heard or read in textbooks while profoundly expanding one's understanding of these humans reality.

Created in memory of slaves in Cuba between 16th-19th centuries...

 the museum gives equal attention to the culture 

these slaves managed to keep alive during their years in forced labor.

From here we headed to hear an amazing choir performance...

above the Triolet French Drug Store Pharmacy Museum 

in Mantanzas across from the Parque de la Libertad.

Following lunch at our first state run property, the Velasco Hotel...

we visited the site where Cuba experienced its largest slave uprising...

in 1843 on the Trianvirato sugar mill plantation.  

Using communication through drums heard from neighboring plantations, 

 Carlota , an enslaved woman led three hundred slaves to burn the plantation. 

Slavery did not officially end in Cuba until 1886.

Pinar del Rio offered beautiful vistas...

from the grounds of the the aptly named old coffee plantation...

El Cafetal Buenavista .

 While sipping a cafecito, we wandered around 

and enjoyed some amazing birdwatching. 

Nearby La Terraza village impressed with 

 examples of its continued efforts for sustainability.

Its community preschool shows creativity 

can abound with a bit of effort.

As we walk around observing, laughter and singing are winding down

as one class is getting ready for nap time.

The paper mache items on the playground are my favorite. 

Children were playing near the kitchen set complete with sink and oven.

Lunch was enjoyed at another state run Casa Del Campesino...

where the locally sourced food was embellished 

with a local band singing table side.

Equally as vibrant as the lush countryside of Pinar del Rio, 

Fusterlandia, like a bag of M&M's, offers so.much.color!

José Fuster, is the perfect example 

of the ubiquitous art found throughout Cuba. 

He helped rebuild the fishing village of Jaimanitas

after decorating his own home with ceramic tile,

 spilling his talent out into the homes of his neighbors to transform the village.  

The Met Museum in NYC offers Cuba: A History Through Art 

in a three part series if you want to learn more about Cuba through its art.

On reflection, our visit to Cuba allowed us to experience its 

music and art firsthand, which was no surprise.  

These have been nurtured and encouraged throughout its history.

We expected this.

What we hadn't expected 

is the value of the opportunity

 to learn and hear from its people.

Today they depend on tourism

and they are ready to welcome you.

Thanks for following along,

Happy travels.