FOR THOSE WHO STILL READ..DAY 2 EXPLORING HAVANA DAY 2 : MORE TASTE OF CUBAN CULTURE

Lois Grant

Day 2 in Havana was an adventure worth every moment! We started our day by sampling our first Cuban hotel breakfast. Despite the rations, one thing was clear: Cubans truly eat what they grow and grow what they eat. And they bake everything they consume. The breakfast portions were thoughtfully done – a slice of bread cut into four triangles, tiny croissants, bite-sized cakes, and pastries, all neatly laid out. It was a delightful spread, featuring guava, pineapple, orange, melons, and mangos, albeit in small slices. But, to be honest, nothing quite compares to our local fruits.

After our hearty breakfast, we eagerly awaited our tour bus to embark on our city tour of Havana..the old and the new. Our tour guide arrived a bit late because he had to pick up other guests from various hotels. As we gathered, we were greeted by fellow travellers from Chile, Ecuador, Belgium, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Of course, we Jamaicans received the loudest welcome, with exclamations about Bob Marley and our national treasure, Usain Bolt.

Although our tour guide spoke limited English, we were fortunate to have Carmen-Elena, my son's partner, who helped us understand some of what he said. Our journey took us past the presidential residence and the greener side of where the government operates. Memories flooded back as I recalled staying nearby during my last visit, back when I worked with the JLP government under Bruce Golding. Our most interesting part of the tour was Old Havana..I didn't know I could manage the walk but I was so fascinated by the architecture and the juxtaposition of the old and the new, I need a whole separate story for that aspect of the tour. 

We made a stop at a park, where we saw elderly locals enjoying the day, as most elders do. Some of them knew a few words in English, and we engaged in brief but heartwarming chats. Throughout the tour, our guide was incredibly attentive. I've never received so much assistance navigating steps and getting on and off the bus. Most fascinatingly, our guide shared that he had served in the army in Angola, and we found common ground as we were roughly in the same age group.

We drove past the towering new hotels and apartments, but the highlight of the tour was our visit to the monument where vintage cars were parked, offering rides for an additional cost. My son went absolutely crazy with his camera, and I became a featured model, striking poses by each of those beautifully polished vintage automobiles.

Another stop took us to the Romeo and Juliet in-bond shop, where we couldn't resist going crazy, buying rum, whisky, and cigars for friends and family back home. There was something for everyone, and the store was bustling with activity. It was amusing to note that we were the only black-skinned individuals on the tour. We inquired about a visit to the craft market but were only taken to nearby ones. I suspected that our love for craft shopping would have disrupted the tour's schedule. We decided to plan our own day to explore the craft market independently.

Lunchtime arrived, and it was evident that there was a special arrangement with the restaurant owner, as we had to wait a while to be seated. The place was bustling, but the service remained prompt, and the seafood was in abundance. I have never seen so much shrimp in a single meal before; I had to share it. The black beans were delicious and carried a hint of spiciness, resembling a black version of our red peas, almost like a soup but served with rice or potatoes. Fresh vegetables, as always, completed the meal. We dined with our Belgian companions from the bus, who gave us a glimpse of what life in Belgium was like.

Back at the hotel, a nap was in order to recharge for the evening. We returned to our newfound favourite spot, Solo 8 restaurant, for dinner. There, we savoured more of their delectable Cuban dishes and had the pleasure of meeting another Cuban who quickly became a friend and a lifelong contact.

The adventure was unfolding beautifully, with each moment offering a taste of Cuban culture and the warmth of its people. Stay tuned for more tales from our Havana exploration!

Editor:

The contributor, Lois Grant has dedicated her entire career to the field of communication. She began at Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation as a news editor and later co-founded Innercity Promotions. In 1990, she launched her own production and communication company, Corporate Image Productions. Her notable achievement includes spearheading the Caribbean's acclaimed Tastee Talent contest. Grant's role as Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister further solidified her impact. as a communicator. Her commitment to education is evident through scholarships initiated under Corporate Image, benefiting Jamaica's top performing artists,, media professionals, educators, and esteemed individuals across various fields. She is the production representative for the prominent US network, NBC Sports. 

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