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Published: April 15th 2011
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Trinidad
The town of
Trinidad on the South Coast is an old colonial town. Again, a lot of work has been done in co-operation with
Unesco in restoring some of the older buildings and this has helped to boost the tourist trade. Trinidad seems to be a popular destination with the tourists and, I guess because it is so much smaller than
Havana and because the tourists are concentrated in to a smaller space, it seems far more touristy. Certainly most of the shops in the centre of town are selling souvenirs, and the restaurants seem to be more expensive and will only accept payment in CUCs.
The town still has its cobble streets and no new buildings in the town centre.
Rations
We stop off at a
bodega, or Ration Shop. This is where Cubans can get their monthly allowance of the basic rationed goods at very low prices. The aim is to ensure that everyone gets these basic quantities but there are rumours that the system may soon be abolished.
Ernesto explains in detail how the rationing system works, although I’m sure there are a few people in this particular group who will
remember rationing back in the UK!
Santeria
Ernesto also takes to the home of a
Santeria priest who explains some of the background of the religion and some of the main customs. The religion is a fusion of
Yoruba traditions and
Catholicism. The slaves were forced to adopt Catholicism but kept their own beliefs by equating parts of their religion with Catholic Saints.
We get the chance to participate and I decide to give it a go and pray for an FA Cup Semi-Final ticket as I’m struggling to communicate with friends outside Cuba who might get one for me
Museo Romantico
In the main square is the
Museo Romantico, the former palace of Count Brunet {
Don’t really know who he was!}. It has on display a lot of the furniture, porcelain etc. that were used by the Cuban aristocracy.
¡Vamos A Playa!
With a bit of time to spare in the afternoon a group of us head for the beach of
Playa Ancon. I believe that this is one of the few sandy beaches on the south of the island. It is certainly easier to lie on at this
time of year than the beach at
Havana and the sea here,
The Caribbean, is definitely warm – I have no problems getting into the water.
By coincidence we find ourselves lying under the tree next to where
Pouneh and
Jolanda, who stayed for a while at Mi Casa in Havana, are lying. The girls greet me with their usual energy and enthusiasm! This seems to bemuse the rest of the group who don’t really know me very well yet and probably don’t know I’ve spent five weeks in Havana – I think they are convinced that I paid the girls to pretend they knew me!
Casa De Musica
A visit is made in the evening to Trinidad’s
Casa De Musica. I’d avoided the one in Havana but had received good reports about the casa here so decide to visit. The location is good. We sit on the steps at the side of the church while a few people are lucky enough to sit at one of the few tables and enjoy open-air performances. Firstly from a Salsa Band and then from a group of musicians and dancers with clear African roots {
I find it difficult to label the style. It could be
Rhumba, I’m told its linked to
Santeria}.
Well worth a visit!
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