Blogs from Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, Central America Caribbean

This morning, Israel Bravo Vega, introduced us to the Afro-Cuban religion often known as Santeria. In the large forecourt of his home was the local temple; all Santeria temples are in private homes. We were sitting on benches set up as for a congregation or audience. He said that people can come and go as they feel the need, although a number of activities are more organized, such as initiation, spiritual “check-ups”, and dances (soft energy). Music, particularly mamba, salsa and African rhythms, is considered as a form of meditation. Santeria is a syncretic faith that fuses certain African faiths with Christianity. This temple is based on the url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_religion#:~:text=Yoruba%20religion%20is%20the%20basis,make%20up%20the%20Yoruba%20society.Yoruba faith and the url=https://en.wikiped... read more

I'm having a bit of a final catch up of our last few days in Cuba now that we're back home and have some internet. It's been a nice break from 'The outside world'.....but quite annoying not being able to get any information or check anything! Santa Clara Just an overnight stay in Santa Clara to break the journey back to Havana. known now mostly for the large monument to Che Guevara as it was here that he blew up the train carrying all the weapons and reinforcements for Batista's forces in the city. The town was really buzzing in the evening as it was Valentine's day, lots of people carrying one flower...no large over the top bouquets here! Our final few days are back nearer Havana on the coast for a few days of R&R. ... read more

Today we had booked a boat to take us out to Cayo Blanco, and island off the coast which is supposed to be good for snorkelling and look for iguanas. We walked to the designated meeting point, the infotur office, and waited for our taxi. One pulled up, it was the same 63 Chevy from the day before. The driver got out and asked us something in Spanish which we didn’t understand. One can never be certain here. As we walk down the street we will get half a dozen offers for a taxi, so maybe he was another one. A second driver pulled up, who could speak a little English and he had some paperwork with my name on it. So yes these guys were to take us to the Marina. When we got to ... read more

Today’s challenge was the transfer between cities. We had to be at the Viazul bus station at 10.15 to catch the bus to Trinidad at 10.45. We were up early to pack and get some breakfast. I had suggested we get up at 6.30 to give ourselves plenty of time. However, we were showered, packed and ready to go by eight which gave us a little to much time. Just before nine we made our way down to a nearby café we thought would be open (and it was) for breakfast. It was a good thing that we were there early because the simple matter of getting coffee and some eggs on toast took nearly an hour the service was so slow. Service in Havana is not consistent. Sometimes you get prompt efficient service, the next ... read more

Geo: 21.8, -79.98A Lazy day in Trinidad town exploring. After breakfast we wandered into the main square, read our books and watched the world go by. We climbed the bell tower and visited the museum with exhibits dating back to the revolution, then on to the best coffee shop (according to Manuel) in Trinidad, Don Pepe's. later in the evening we went to La Botija, a really nice restaurant that used to be where slaves were kept in the 1800s. The walls were adorned with chains and other rather sinister equipment. The restaurant staff uniform was a slave outfit.... read more