Thursday 7 June 2012

Central Cuba Tour: Santa Clara

On our first day of the 8 day tour we headed towards Santa Clara a 4 and a 1/2 hour bus journey on the way we stopped off to see the Che Guevara monument but the museum had closed early due to mothers day.  We met our home stay family who were very nice we then had a tour of the Santa Clara which is quite a small place, they have what can only be described as a community dance place which holds different events for different days of the week including the only recognised gay disco,  the day we went it was an OAP dance going on.  Had my first mojito not my drink and then went to the tallest building in Santa Clara which was in a siege during the revolution and still has bullet holes in the building.  Our Guide taught us the basic Salsa steps its harder than it looks.  In the morning we headed to Trinidad yes there is a trinidad in Cuba, we stopped off at another monument where a siege was held against Batista and the revolutionaries.  Batista's men were in the train cars on a very hot day waiting to ambush the rebels but as the cars got hotter they surrendered to the revolutionaries.

People waiting for transport.
 Che Guevara Monument
Sign at Che Guevara's Monument can't remember what us says.
The pattern in the ground represents the people of Cuba as being one regardless of ethnic background.

Monument depicting the story of the revolution.
What is now a library in Santa Clara.
The Community dance place
The tallest building in Santa Clara
Navin, Dorothy, Ivan (Guide) Megan
Home stay family.
Monument to a siege that involved Train cars
Same monument representing the fighting.

Cuba pre tour

Whilst travelling in New Zealand I met some people who went to Cuba and decided that it sounded great and that I should go there.  On my first day it was rather a culture shock for starters internet access is very difficult to get and is very expensive hence the reason I am updating my blog now I am back home.  Second of all is the people approaching you to buy things for them e.g. drinks also asking for any clothes.  The amount of supplies they have in the shops is very limited and so it is very difficult to get a hold of anything.  Their roads are very confusing and as I said made more so by people asking you for things in spanish or trying to get your attention by whistling at you. So I just walked around in circles for the first day the second day I managed to find the art museum which was very interesting and a bit depressing in places.

First view of Havana
Arts Theatre with giant ants
Driving to havana.
Cuba art museum.
Havana
View from the Hotel Plaza