The Cuba Project Itinerary

Street scene with colorful buildings, a Cuban flag hanging from one building, people walking on the sidewalk, and a motorcycle with two riders in the foreground. The sky is partly cloudy. Text overlay says "Day 1."

January 2, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Tour through Miramar with local guides
+ Walking tour of the four squares in Old Havana with a local guide
+ Visited the art collective at Cathedral Square
+ Toured museums and private galleries

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Casa Don Pepe
+ Lunch at El Chanchullero
+ Dinner at El Meditteraneo

WHO WE MET:

+ Our local tour guide and expert of Cuba’s history – Alejandro

Exterior of a building with a sign that reads, 'Fundacion de la Naturaleza y el Hombre,' a banner featuring a portrait of a man with a beard, and information about the foundation on the wall.

January 3, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Guided visit of El Fundación Antonio Núñez Jiménez (FANJ)
+ Presentation by Dr. Aurelio Alonso on Cuba’s political and social system
+ Professional film interview of FANJ scholars for a short documentary film
+ Guided tour of Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Casa Don Pepe
+ Lunch at Paladar Gringo Viejo
+ Dinner at Paladar Santa Barbara

WHO WE MET:

+ Dr. Aurelio Alonso, Professor of Sociology, FANJ & University of Havana
+ Our local tour guide and expert on Cuban art – Onel

Painting of three nude women in a tropical setting with large green leaves, a mountain landscape, and a blue sky.

January 4, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Presentation by Dr. Cary Cruz with FANJ on Sustainable Agriculture
+ Guided group visit of permaculture farms such as Grupo Sevillano
+ Tour of Ernest Hemingway’s “Finca” Home with local tour guide
+ Intercambio with Berta Alvarez, former Dean at the University of Havana about
the Cuban Constitution
+ Night out for 1980s dancing at El Súbmarino Amarillo – a private club

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Casa Don Pepe
+ Lunch with local family in Los Pinos
+ Dinner at Paladar El Balcón de Diego

WHO WE MET:

+ Dr. Cary Cruz, Director of FANJ
+ Berta Alvarez, former Dean of the Department of Philosophy at the University of
Havana

Vegetable garden with various green plants organized in curved and straight rows, labeled as 'Day 4' of growth, with trees and wooden support structures in the background.

January 5, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Visited local agricultural market 19 y B in Vedado with a local guide
+ Visited Calle de Hamel Ration Store with a local guide
+ Guided visit to Finca Marta in Caimito, Artemisa Province
+ Guided tour of the University of Havana
+ Intercambio with Dr. Mavis Alvarez on the Agrarian Reform and Small Farmer
Movement

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Casa Don Pepe
+ Farm-to-table lunch at Finca Marta
+ Dinner at Paladar El Ancla

WHO WE MET:

+ Fernando Funes, founder of Finca Marta & Doctor of Agronomy
+ Mavis Alvarez, former director of the Cuban Small Farmers Association (ANAP)

Group photo of fifteen people, including individuals with crutches, gathered on a concrete ledge near the ocean. The sky is clear and blue. The text overlay reads 'Day 5'.

January 6, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Classic car ride around Havana with local guides
+ Meet & Greet with Cancer Kids Support Group – Carmen & Rey Kids
+ Visited a local Catholic church during mass
+ Professional film interview with Carmen Vallejo and others for a short
documentary film
+ Group walk along El Malecón
+ Tour of the Almacenes San José Artisans’ Market
+ Salsa dancing classes at Club 1830 with local instructors

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Casa Don Pepe
+ Lunch at Paladar Decamaron
+ Dinner at Paladar Santa Barbara
+ Ice cream at Heladeria Amore

WHO WE MET:

+ Carmen Vallejo, Cancer Kids Support Group Founder
+ Kids participating in the Cancer Kids nongovernmental program

Two men and three dogs outside a green wooden house with trees in the background. One man sits on a small chair on the porch, and the other is squatting on the ground. The image is labeled 'Day 6'.

January 7, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Toured Las Terrazas Ecovillage in the Sierra del Rosario
+ Visited local artist studios
+ Tour of Casa Museo Polo Montañez
+ Visit to a rural household in Los Tumbos for a tour of their family farm
+ Overnight accommodation in Soroa

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Casa Don Pepe
+ Lunch at Casa del Campesino
+ Dinner at Villa Oliva

WHO WE MET:

+ Dianelys Rojas, private Cuban taxi driver
+ Ariel Gato Miranda, local artist in Las Terrazas
+ The Bocourt family – rural farmer household of coffee farmers in Los Tumbos

Three young women sitting on a concrete ledge in front of a pink wall with a mural, smiling at the camera. The girl on the left wears a white shirt, tan skirt, and neon green shoes, holding a backpack. The girl in the middle wears a leopard print top, black shorts, and sandals. The girl on the right wears a red sleeveless top, black pants, and sneakers, holding a phone. Text overlay reads "Day 7."

January 8, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Guided visit of Soroa’s Orquideario
+ Visited Ranchon la Madre Melchora with tour of local medicinal homegarden
+ Visited a local home in San Cristóbal and played dominoes with a family
+ Danced to live music from a local band at Villa Olivia

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Villa Olivia
+ Lunch at Ranchon la Madre Melchora
+ Dinner at Villa Oliva

WHO WE MET:

+ Aliet, local tour guide at El Orquideario
+ Olmaida, woman from Soroa known for her local medicinal teas
+ The Bocourt family

Group of ten people with backpacks and luggage standing in front of a yellow bus on Day 8 of their trip.

January 9, 2019

WHAT WE DID:

+ Departure from Havana José Martí International Airport

WHERE WE ATE:

+ Breakfast at Casa Don Pepe