Fourth day in Cuba

Again, this is not live!  For me it is actually day 5 but I was too lazy to write last night.

We started the bus ride at 8:15 and headed to Remedios.  We were told this was going to be a short day, back to the hotel around 2 where we were to have the hotel buffet for lunch and the rest of the evening free.  Yovani had one request: he, Israel, and Yaditza have a competition to get visitors to take salsa lessons at 6 that evening so he asked we attend as part of our experience.

We loaded up the buses and headed to our first stop, a visit to a print house that was in the Remedios town square.  The presses were impressive and covered many generations of printing.  It was a short walk around the square to our next stop an artist's studio which turned out to Maidely's husband!  Not only was his work displayed but his cousin's as well.  This was a small shop but the work was incredible.  Needless to say all 4 of us, along with many in our tour group, bought several paintings.  Some of his work was painted with coffee bean paste and clay paste which was extra interesting.  

Local church

Street mural

Art at the studio

This painting made with coffee bean paste and dirt/clay paste

Maidley's husband the artist signing his work and rolling canvas

From his studio we walked back to the square for a concert by a local brass and jazz band that we all enjoyed.  

 

Our next stop was a non active sugar mill where we were given pure sugar can juice and a small bottle of rum.  We saw the machinery used to process the cane and our mill guide explained the evolution of sugar production in cuba from the earliest records to modern times.  Several of the machines had been produced in the United States.  We also saw a documentary on the topic.  Near the museum were large steam trains which we had intended to ride, however the only working train was broken the day of our visit.  

Old sugar mill

Our driver Jorge

Making sugar water

Marsha & Jae at the mill

Meghann & Marsha at the mill

Note the goats taking advantage of the shade

Old steam trains

Afterwards we visited a local cathedral that is one of the oldest in Cuba.  Lots of nice woodwork and statues.  

Note the beautiful detail on the ceiling.  We were told it was painted white shortly after the revolution and had to be restored.

Next we headed back to the resort and arrived a little after 2.  We immediately went to the lunch buffet as it closed at 3.  After that it was off to the beach for some much needed R&R.  At 5 we headed back to the room as Jae, M&M all wanted to clean up before the salsa lesson.  Not interested in dancing, I volunteered to record everything for posterity.  Most of our fellow travellers rolled in straight from the beach, however Meghann looked stunning in a linen dress perfect for the experience.  I had a drink while I got my camera ready.  Marsha had to miss the lesson because M&M had a circuit breaker problem in their room and had to change rooms.

Salsa dancing lessons

Meghann's beautiful linen dress is visible in the center of the photo

The salsa lesson was great fun.  Friends of Jae & Meghann should contact me to see the movie.  Afterwards Marsha joined us and we talked with Yovani until a little after 7 when we headed to the buffet dinner again.  Same meal different night, after which we went to see Maidley at the lobby bar and ran into Mike (aka Miguel).  By 10 the mosquitoes were eating us in gulps so we went back to our rooms and called it a night.

Bryan and Chuck checking out the hotel buffet

M&M waiting for drinks