Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Our drive back to Hemmingway from Vinales on Monday afternoon was a nice recap of all the sites we passed going. Farmers in their fields behind oxen pulled plows. Locals on the highway selling eggs or hoping for a ride. When we arrived back at the marina Vic realized the winds had finally changed. They were coming in from the South after 10 days of sometimes fierce North Winds. After checking the weather forecast for the next week he announced that they were crossing back over to Key West on Tuesday. I explained that we had made arrangements to meet the missionary who I had contacted in Michigan on Tuesday. She was going to pick up all the supplies we had brought over. Some she had specifically requested. Vic was adamant that they were leaving otherwise they would be stuck here another week and surpass the 14 day limit imposed to U.S. citizens by the U.S. government. We were just as adamant about not leaving until we had met with the church lady. So Tuesday morning Kathy and Vic met the missionary, who had also brought the minister from a local church with her, gave her the items they brought and prepared to depart. We loaded the back of the church van with the items we brought, three boxes of school supplies, tools, clothing, steak knives and more. I was a little disappointed to find out that these items were going to a central office for distribution and not directly to the church and Pastor I had been in contact with, something I didn't know before hand. Thankfully I kept back a couple of bags of school supplies and other items. There were five of us. The driver, the missionary, the minister, Tom and I. Because she has been coming to Cuba for 25 years to start churches and support them through her church at home we learned some things that we would not have known had we left.
The Russian Embassy
The Embassy is supposed to resemble the mighty Russian sward. If you look at it and think of the old very heavy Viking type it does. When the United States imposed the embargo the Russians were going "to save the day". Instead they took advantage of Cuba, realized there was no profit in it for them and pulled out.. The Cubans now refer to the building as the "Stab in the Heart Building"
This is the American Embassy, the U.S. actually gave Switzerland permission to use it after we pulled out. We had one gentleman who continued to serve as a nonpolitical liaison in the office.
At least 100 Cubans a day line up in hopes of obtaining a Visa to enter the United States.
President Bush ordered the top level of the embassy display an electric sign that made statements to the Cuban people such as, "Don't you wish you could leave"? Cuban people should have individual rights. They were turned on at night and the Cuban dictator thought they were non threatening until.......
A religious display was put on the roof and the sign read; Have a merry and blessed Christmas. Since Castro was an atheist and promoted it in the country he was furious. He had 148 flag poles put up to block the sign. Black flags were put on the poles representing the 148 Cubans killed in the Bay of Pigs. President Bush removed the revolving sign and decorations and Castro removed the black flags. Now during special occasions the Cuban flag is flown on each pole.
The structure is over a large cemented area used for rallies and such.
This is the plaque that Castro put in front of the flag poles. I need to have it interpreted for me.
Here is another view of the area near the embassy used for rallies
This is the church we visited with the pastor and missionary. it is only 2 blocks from the capital in downtown Havana. If you didn't spot the little sign hanging over the double steel doors you wouldn't know it was a church.
We received a tour of the church and the upstairs children's Sunday school area. Tom and I returned on Sunday to attend a service. It was in Spanish of course. When the pastor announced that we were from the states a gentlemen in front of us used his phone to show us in English, the readings and Gospel. The pastor was very lively giving his sermon about loving God and dismissing the evils of drugs and alcohol( I was able to figure it out though words and gestures). Several different members got up to speak as well. One who offered a special blessing for us and our visit.( The pastors wife explained it to us. After the service many of the members approached us to shake hands, give hugs and blessings. We really enjoyed ourselves and were so glad we went.
This chart shows the families who have committed to tithing.
This is the upstairs where meetings and Sunday School are held. Notice all the fans on the walls.
No air of course.
While on the tour the Pastor invited us to have lunch with his family if we did attend service. Following the church service so we all crowded into the little family car and rode about 20 minutes to their home. We really had a chance to see the disrepair of the homes and streets through the city. Their home is owned by the church. Your first impression up entering is that the house is not clean. In reality it was. In fact it was immaculate. What makes it seem unclean is the old paint on the walls, giving the home a dingy look. Paint is in very short supply in Cuba. I wish I could send them some!
Our lunch was a typical Cuban family lunch. Fried pork, black beans and rice, and sliced tomatoes.
The youngest cried, refusing to eat. Not understanding Spanish I wondered whether he was complaining that he was tired of the same ol same ol food. Cubans are not starving. They have enough to eat there is just no selection. In fact we were told at the dinner table that sometimes they are lucky and for a change can get red beans rather than black. I wanted to cry! I also wanted to say take us to the boat and I will load you up with all types of canned veggies! When dinner was over I brought out a package of American cookies. The two older boys each took one and retreated to their room. Soon the youngest reappeared and announced he was hungry! He ate and then happily got his cookie. Knowing that we were coming to visit I put together goodie bags for each of the boys and mom and dad. We gave the boys baseball hats, candy, minion and star wars stickers and coloring books. I gave mom two different perfumes, nail polish, lotion, and a large cutting knife. Pastor grabbed the large knife and announced this is mine! He held it to his chest and we swore there were tears in his eyes. He repeatedly thanked us for the knife. We had learned that sharp knifes were not available. in fact before we left the states sharp knives was one of the requests when I asked what we could bring to help the church. The boys had their gummy bears and cookies about eaten before we left. I also took sweet and spicy chocolate. The kids didn't care for it but dad loved it. He said he missed the chili spices he used to be able to get. Pastor insisted on driving us home rather than us catching a bus. I was glad because this gave me an opportunity to make up another bag of goodies. When we arrived at the marina we asked Pastor to wait for a few minutes. I loaded a sack with spices, more cookies, more gummy bears, more steak knives, a box of macaroni and cheese(I hope they can figure it out as it is in English) some applesauce for the boys, etc. Once he left of course I thought I could have done much more.
The wall to the right is actually where the island ended during the Spanish era. The cannons that remain are the original that were used to protect the city.
Another views shows you that the road, trees and wall on the other side were not originally there. The water was all filled in to enlarge this area following the Spanish.
One of many posters still up from the Popes visit last month
St. Marys Catholic Church. One of the few that survived the revolution
Hemingway had two favorite bars in Havana. La Bogadita, and The Floridita. He said La Bogadita had the best Mojitos and The Floridita had the best daiquiris. This is La Bogadita. It was very small and packed. We had to weasel our way around to go upstairs . We added our names to the thousands already on the wall.
The original Mojito is served here
12 mint leaves with stems
1 tsp sugar
2 oz white rum
2 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz soda water
ice
In a tall glass, place fresh mint leaves and a teaspoon of sugar. Crush the mint using a muddler. Add rum and lime juice. Mix again with muddler. Finish with soda water and crushed ice.
The walls are lined with photos of very famous people who have been here to eat and or drink.
Our names
one of the former homes of Chai
After our tour of the downtown with the minister and missionary we traveled to the other side of the bay up to the top of a big hill, or small mountain. not sure which to see the statue of Christ and enjoy the beautiful view of the city.
This statue was designed and built by a French artist as a gift to Cuba. It came during the revolution and Castro didn't really want it but was afraid of making France angry so he accepted it. We were told he nearly had to be restrained when a French Bishop also came to the dedication to bless the statute.
One of the views from in front of the statue
Left to right; The van driver, the pastor, me and the missionary from Grand Rapids.
This was our last stop of the day before heading back to the marina. Although it was a short tour we really enjoyed it and new that the driver and missionary had to get back to the main headquarters which was a four hour drive.
