Month: March 2014

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Reflections of Cuba by Zeb the Duck

I, Zeb the Duck, am back at the airport in Havana, Cuba.

We are in Havana, Cuba

We are in Havana, Cuba

As I wait for my plane to Miami, I pause to reflect on my Cuban adventure.  I met many very nice people.  I liked my group of human travelers.  As expected they were all very experienced travelers eager to explore a new place and adaptable if the planned schedule was changed.  I also met very nice, friendly people living in Cuba.

I remember narrow streets with old buildings.

Narrow streets with wonderful old buildings

Narrow streets with wonderful old buildings

Many horse carts,

Horse cart

Horse with cart

many bicycles, many people walking, some classic American cars

Classic cars as taxis

Classic cars as taxis

and some new,

New smaller taxis

New smaller taxis

small taxis.

The school children were wearing uniforms.

Their uniforms look nice

Their uniforms look nice

We stopped at a ballet school and saw them practice.

Wow!

Wow!

While we brought gifts to the senior center, we enjoyed the dancing and music and the people gave us a gift also.

Zeb with new hat

Zeb with new hat

I think I look pretty good in my hat.

As a yellow rubber duck, people were curious about me and many became my friends.

Zeb's new best friend

Zeb’s new best friend

These decorated cakes are examples of art and attention to detail.

Look so yummy

Look so yummy

Bet they taste good too.

Cuba has many statues; some large and some smaller bronze statues.

Statue of friar near Havana's Plaza Vieja

Statue of friar near Havana’s Plaza Vieja

It appears that they remember and honor many people.

This man was so nice and I was fascinated as he made sugar cane juice.

Made fresh sugar cane juice

Made fresh sugar cane juice

I remember shopping in the market in Havana.

Indoor market in Havana

Indoor market in Havana

I remember music everywhere.

Musicians playing in Trinidad

Musicians playing in Trinidad

After dinner one evening, many in our human group learned some Cuban dance steps

After dinner dance lessons

After dinner dance lessons

and many danced after the lesson.

I remember and admire the art, the color, the talent and most of all, the smiles and

Our new friends

Our new friends

friendliness of the Cuban people.   Our governments may have differences, but the friendly people of Cuba and the United States get along well.

Such colorful dresses

Such colorful dresses

I am so glad that we visited Cuba.  If you want to see Cuba, check out http://www.friendlyplanet.com and see what they offer.  There are other tour companies that offer people to people tours.  We decided to travel with Friendly Planet and enjoyed it.  I hope you will visit Cuba soon.

Alejandro, our local guide, enjoying a Cuban cigar.

Alejandro, our local guide, enjoying a Cuban cigar.

Connie our Friendly Planet guide and Santos our driver with Zeb the Duck

Connie our Friendly Planet guide and Santos our driver with Zeb the Duck

It is time to board the plane and return to Miami.  I have more adventures planned with Soapy Smith Duck, my Alaska cousin will send Alaska updates and JB Duck is also traveling.  Please check here to see what we do and tell us about your adventures, away from home and in your home town.

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Plaza of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba

In Havana, Cuba, I, Zeb the Duck visited the Plaza of the Revolution.  A huge plaza!

We came mainly to view three major monuments.  The first is to honor Jose Marti.  This monument at 138.5 meters is Havana’s tallest structure.  Jose Marti is a national hero in Cuba.

Monument to Jose Marti

Monument to Jose Marti

Jose Marti helped organize the Cuban Revolutionary Party, laying the groundwork for the Second Independence War with Spain.  Jose Marti was killed early in this war.  He was elevated to the status of martyr in 1895.  In front of Havana’s tallest structure, is a 17-meter statue of Jose Marti seated, in the Thinker position.  This monument has a museum and an elevator that takes you to the top for fantastic views of Havana.

The second monument is on the side of a telecommunications building.  A picture of Camilo Cienfuegos is on the outside of the building with the words, “Vas bien Fidel.”  These words are not always well known to non-Cubans, but were important during the revolution.  The story behind these words is that during a speech by Fidel in 1959, Fidel paused and turned to Camilo Cienfuegos who was standing behind him.  Fidel asked Camilo “Voy bien Camilo”  (Am I doing OK Camilo).  Camilo Cienfuegos replied, “Vas bien Fidel” (You’re doing OK Fidel).

Honoring Camilo Cienfuegos

Honoring Camilo Cienfuegos

About that time someone in the crowd released white doves and one landed on Fidel’s shoulder.  This reinforced the idea that Fidel had received a divine calling.  Soon, “Vas bien Fidel” became a rallying call for the revolution.  Camilo Cienfuegos was very popular with the Cuban people, second only to Fidel Castro.  Camilo Cienfuegos died in a plan crash October 1959, traveling from Camaguey to Havana.  He became one of the earliest martyrs of the revolution.

Monument number three, honoring Che Guevara is on the Ministerio del Interior building.  The huge mural of Che Guevara contains the words “Hasta la Victoria Siempre”  (Always toward Victory).

Honoring Che Guevara

Honoring Che Guevara

Che Guevara, a trained physician, from Argentina, met Raul Castro in Guatemala.  Raul later introduced Che to Fidel Castro in Mexico City in 1955.  The meeting of Che Guevara and Fidel and Raul Castro changed the course of history.  Che Guevara was a definite leader in the Cuban revolution and later helped with other revolutions until his death in October 1967 while he was in Bolivia.

You will notice that I, Zeb the Duck, am not in any of these photos.  The monuments are just too big for a duck.  However I was at the Plaza de la Revolution.

Zeb the Duck, bus driver

Zeb the Duck, bus driver

My job was very important—I drove the bus.