A Cuban Adventure You Should Not Miss

Last summer I went on a Cuban adventure .  I loved Cuba.  I loved the Cuban people.  I loved the brightly colored and crumbling buildings.  I loved the music, the art, the colorful vintage cars, the bright pastel paint that covered the walls.  I loved the cigars, the rum, the honey, horseback riding, and unpredicted crazy thunderstorms.  I loved posters of Che Guevara, so handsome in his revolutionary garb.  I loved fresh mango, papaya, guava and pineapple for breakfast, strong Cuban coffee and simple meals of chicken and rice and Ropa Vieja.  I fell in love with the vivid tiles on floors and walls, interesting doors and door knockers.  I loved the playa near Trinidad, the Mogotes in Vinales, the cobblestone streets and dancing at the Santeria celebration in Havana.  I loved Cuba.

Before I visited this beautiful country I didn’t think I would enjoy it.  I didn’t have a particular reason I simply thought there were other places I’d rather explore.  Turns out my Cuban adventures far surpassed my expectations.  As I planned for the trip I began to get excited but the real pleasure I found while there exceeded my vision.   I blame the people.  Warm, inviting, friendly, busy, passionate and above all else extremely interesting.

Breakfast served with a smile at my casa in Miramar, Havana.

Street Artist, Havana

One of my favorite activities when I travel is to talk to people.  Sometimes there is language barrier but it’s remarkable how two  people can communicate despite this.  One of our taxi drivers spoke no English whatsoever yet with my extremely limited Spanish our trips were as pleasant as could be.  Many Cuban people speak English very well.

I’ll begin with a focus on Trinidad, possibly my favorite of the places I visited.  The casa I stayed in here easily gave me vision of what life in Cuba has been in the past.  “The gorgeous home itself is in two parts yet joined together by a lovely outdoor area for dining and relaxing.  At Casa de Lara’s mansion  the older and most original part dates back to 1830 and is a typical colonial house with beautiful tiled patio. The modern part was built in 1930 in the neocolonial style, in a harmonious integration with the original part so that the buildings as a whole bear witness to the evolution of habitat within a century”, Alicia Garcia.

Casa Lara my casa in Trinidad

While having a conversation with the mother of my casa host I was delighted to learn that she was the author of the coffee table books I’d been thumbing through in the salon of the casa.  The one translated to English I promptly purchased through my local bookseller as soon as I was home.

Books by author Alicia Garcia

My casa hosts Fidel, Alicia and Grace

Old Cuba by Alicia Garcia

Alicia Garcia Santana, the lovely lady seated in the photo above is the author of this and many other books on Cuba.  In the large dining room, with high ceilings and beautifuly preserved antique furniture and family treasures she worked on her lap top daily. One morning I asked if I could join her while I drank my coffee and she invited me to have a seat.  I asked her to tell me about Cuba back in the “old days”.  You see her husband was a doctor, a surgeon in Trinidad.  They continue to live in the home that served as his office as well as the home where they raised two daughters.

The dining room of Casa Lara

Dr. Luis Lara, surgeon Trinidad, Cuba

 She told me of the parties.  “Oh the parties we had”, she told me, “we still have parties!”.  I could picture this amazing home full of passionate, intelligent, beautiful men and women of Cuba, cocktails in hand, colorful conversation and music that you cannot help but move your hips to.  Ahhhh, to have lived there in those days.

Casa de Lara

Meeting a family of this caliber was an honor.  Not only was Dr. Luis Lara a surgeon but his daughter Grace the lady standing in the above photo is a doctor also.  She went to the hospital daily to see patients and ran the casa with grace and charm.  Her name Grace, more than fitting for her character.

I mentioned the tile floors that I fell in love with.  Take a look at some of the ones that were in Casa Lara.  These floors are original to the part of the home built in 1930.  Walking barefoot on theses floors offered a sense of coolness to the sweltering heat of Cuba in July.
 

Now that you know something about Casa Lara let me tell you a bit about the town of Trinidad.  It is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the best preserved colonial towns in Cuba.  Known for it’s colonial old town, cobblestone streets, and brightly colored buildings.  Plaza Mayor is the heart of Trinidad.  Built at a time of great wealth that remains evident in the gorgeous architecture.

Plaza Mayor

Around the corner from Plaza Mayor is a lively stair stepped patio with countless bars and live music.  It was here that I could enjoy a respite from the heat, enjoy spirited live music and a Cubano.

Trinidad

The Convento de San Francisco is a popular tourist site where a bell tower offers views of Trinidad and it’s surrounding countryside.  Museums to visit include Museo de Arquitectura, Museo Romantico, and Museo Historico Municipal.  A stroll along the main shopping street is a must.  I found my favorite souvenir here from a local jeweler.  His shop is open onto the street and I enjoyed watching him craft his pieces as I shopped.  I purchased a pair of earrings designed of Cuban coins.  He offers many beautiful designs but I knew the coins would always remind me of where the earrings came from.

Jewelry maker in Trinidad

When I return to Cuba I will not miss a visit to Trinidad.  Next time I will tack on more days as there is much more I want to explore.  I leave you with a few more photos of this beautiful place.  Next up we’ll take a photo tour of doors and windows in Cuba.

Trinidad,Cuba

Trinidad Street

Sunset in Trinidad