Cuba

An unforgettable experience visiting the island of Cuba on a Road Scholar photographic tour with a people to people connection. Please feel free to comment on the photos and add place names if you have them!
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We stayed at the Melia Habana, a hotel situated just off Malecon, which is the five mile coast road into Havana, and was built in 1994 at the height of the Russian influence in Cuba which is reflected in the architecture.
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We stayed at the Melia Habana, a hotel situated just off Malecon, which is the five mile coast road into Havana, and was built in 1994 at the height of the Russian influence in Cuba which is reflected in the architecture.

  • Fusterlandia. Fuster has made a major contribution over 10 years of work of rebuilding and decorating the fishing town of Jaimanitas in the outskirts of Havana, where he lives. Jaimanitas is now a unique work of public art where Fuster has decorated over 80 houses with ornate murals and domes to suit the personality of his neighbours
  • The bold splashes of color, the zany streetscape are his calling card; they embody Fuster's philosophy of how Cuban society should work.
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  • Fusterlandia, as this neighborhood is called, is a vibrant arts complex named after its originator and chief creative force, Jose Fuster. A self-effacing, middle-aged painter and sculptor, Fuster is recognized as one of Cuba’s most talented and iconic artists. In fact, many call him the “Picasso of the Caribbean.”
  • I heard the jingle music of an Ice Cream Truck and new immediately that there was ice cream in the vicinity! Although others balked, I searched him out and sure enough, I soon had an ice cream in hand on a hot, humid Cuban afternoon! He sweetly posed for me.
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  • There are several blocks in Jaimanitas, a neighborhood in northwest Havana, where the homes and the gates that surround them are covered entirely by mosaic tile. These ordinary homes began to be transformed into works of art three decades ago when artist Jose Fuster took up residence and opened his studio in the community. His own home is a mosaic wonderland with small colorful tiles adorning fountains, stairs, rooftops, benches and every other surface.
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  • We stayed at the Melia Habana, a hotel situated just off Malecon, which is the five mile coast road into Havana, and was built in 1994 at the height of the Russian influence in Cuba which is reflected in the architecture.
  • I experienced the free health care in Cuba. I was having some lung/breathing issues. Rather than 'tough it out' and hamper experiencing Cuba at my utmost best, I called the front desk and the hotel's on-call doc and nurse came to my room. I was diagnosed with lung and ear infections and given antibiotic, candy (throat lozenge), syrup (expectorant), and pain relief. The doc was free but I paid $32 CUC (about $33 US Dollars) for the meds and gave a $3 CUC tip (expected).<br /> Cuban medical internationalism is the Cuban programme, since the 1959 Cuban Revolution, of sending Cuban medical personnel overseas. It is widely believed that medical workers are Cuba's most important export commodity.
  • I experienced the free health care in Cuba. I was having some lung/breathing issues. Rather than 'tough it out' and hamper experiencing Cuba at my utmost best, the hotel's on-call doc and nurse came to my room. I was diagnosed with lung and ear infections and given antibiotic, candy (throat lozenge), syrup (expectorant), and pain relief. The doc was free but I paid $32 CUC (about $33 US Dollars) for the meds and gave a $3 CUC tip (expected).
  • Marilyn relaxing.
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  • Classic car with a good example of Russian architecture in the background.
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