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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

CUBA SEGMENT / 64 / THE BIG ADIOS


BREAKING NEWS:
Today, the US and Cuba agreed to restore a measure of diplomatic relations by reopening Embassies in Washington DC and Havana.  The opening of the embassies is a step forward, but Congress in the US has the final vote on whether or not to lift the Embargo that has been in place for six decades.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 23 OF APRIL BRIGADE IN ACTION
Editor’s note: It's time for the big adios from Cuba.  Thanks for popping in and out to view a review of one tourist group's adventure in Cuba, April 2015

El Grupo, left to right: Transportation Guru Adrian; Nancy Henderson, Susan Yglesias, Rich Heyman, Don Wilgus, Jody Brown, Elmo Dattalo (in back), Kit Staton, Phyllis Shess, Tom Shess, Sarah Bufano, Mike Shess, Linda Bufano, Tom Donaldson, Barbara Henke, George Maroutsos, Deena Maroutsos, Theresa Glore, Ron Glore (in back), USA guide Daniel Guzman and Cuba Guide Norkis.
Photo: Bruce Henderson.
(Group photo is repeated at the end of this post, which includes Bruce Henderson).
Native Dance:  Here the group masters the intricate dance steps of indigenous neighborhood music performed by the South Havana Muraleando philharmonic. Photo: Bruce Henderson
"...Well, we have to be honest with you, we've never had a group quite like this one ..."
After a month of being the stars of this blog’s many postings about our travel group’s April 23 to May 1, 2015 cultural and educational adventure in Cuba, Pillar to Post blog thought a little recognition was in order.  Here are a few images of what our group did best: Fall in love with Cuba and t he Cuban people. 

Surprise:  Sharing a Cuban birthday cake at one of Cienfuego’s best paladar restaurants, La Garta.  
Photo: Bruce Henderson
Amazing Discoveries.  At the national botanical gardens outside of Cienfuegos our group was amazed at the size of seeds from the “whatchamacallit” tree.

Change is Good:  While we were listening to a lecture on how well the government takes care of its senior populations from out of nowhere the band started playing and everyone started dancing.
Can it be--The third hour of the Cuban Literacy Lecture
has been cancelled because the projector
light burned out.
The art of cigar smoking has to do with striking the right pose.   Photo: Bruce Henderson.
Only one horsepower but it got to Cienfuegos before our bus.  Photo: Phyllis Shess
Cigar frenzy, however no one was trampled in the rush.  Photo: Bruce Henderson
Midnight at the Oasis--Last night mojito on the Hotel Nacional patio overlooking the Malecon
Photo: Mike Shess
Lunch at Casa Enrique and it appears Kim got stuck with the check, Playa Larga, Cuba
Thanks to Sarah learning how to make Mojito's, no one went thirsty on the trip.  Photo: Bruce Henderson
Proudly posing: the April 23rd Daniel Guzman Brigade to Cuba, April 2015 
(with Bruce Henderson 2nd from far left)
Photo: Staff of the Oriente Restaurante, Plaza San Francisco, Havana Cuba
That's all, Folks. Hope you enjoyed the blog!