Day 4 - Santiago to Havana
Day 4
“Everyone down in the lobby by 5:45AM!” Those were our instructions to ensure we make our 8:30AM flight to Havana. Considering our long day yesterday,
and getting back so late, our group did very well. The hotel prepared sandwiches and juice for everyone to-go. Perhaps most importantly, they opened the
bar in the lobby extra early to provide us with cuban coffee! We were at the airport in about 15 minutes, with plenty time to spare. We checked in our
luggage --- with a few adventures in Cuban airport security. Rick had to go back and check his laptop bag because he had his souvenir bone letter opener in
his carry-on. A few in the group were searched and Erin was carrying a bag containing 17 sandwiches she wanted to unload ASAP. And then, there was some
confusion about “pay” or “free” toilets. Despite the “excitement” and slight confusion, we boarded the plane and it all worked out fine. The flight flew along
the southern side of Cuba and then cut over to the north as we approached Havana. We landed, got all our luggage and stepped outside into the excitement
of Havana. Five in our group took a van-taxi, the luggage was loaded into the bus and then the groupt boarded the bus with Carlos, our new driver.
We drove through downtown Havana for our first look at the capital of Cuba. We saw the governmental buildings, famous cafés, lots of classic cars, and
parks. We arrived at our hotel which used to be a convent, a seminary, and is now a hotel/seminary retreat center. Casa Sacerdotal, San Juan Maria Vianney.
It was a beautiful 3-story building with a central courtyard. We settled into our rooms and unpacked for a 4 night stay. Rick tested the water in his room and
found a low trace of lead. The group gathered in the dining hall and then enjoyed a lunch of salad, beef stew, rice, and pork fillet in the dining hall with many
priests and nuns. For dessert, they served cupcakes. After lunch, we organized our pan to go to the waterfront and explore downtown until 4:30PM. We tried
walking as a group but there were so many things to see that we ended up going in different directions, agreeing to meet back at the hotel by 4PM. Rick,
Josh, Gary, and Erin stopped to ask directions and then took a taxi into Old Havana.
At the dock where the cruise ships come in, there was a brewery. They enjoyed tasting the first craft beer made in Havana at Almacén Madera. The brewery
offered a stout, an amber, and a lager. All were tasty as we sat outside overlooking the harbor. Erin opted for a lemonade, but after contemplating whether
to risk a drink with ice, she instead requested a shot of rum to lower the odds of getting a stomach virus. Better to play it safe.
After tasting all 3 beers and the lemonade, we walked to the art market. The market was a converted train station that looked as if it incorporated
a 16th century building as well. Very nice. We walked up and down the aisles, checking out all the individual stalls that offered everything from t-shirts
emblazoned with the likeness of Fidel or Che Guevara, to carved wood and paintings. Josh and Rick each bought traditional Cuban guayaberas to
remember the day. Then it was time to head back to the hotel. We went outside and found a taxi that, as the driver walked us to the car, turned out to be a
1951 Ford. It wasn't a sexy ‘57 Chevy, but it was fun and it got us back to the hotel on time.
We had just enough time to change and head out to the bus to go to the Episcopal cathedral where we were received by Bishop Griselda, Bishop of Cuba.
We had about 15 minutes to introduce everyone in our group, at which point another group arrived. They were mostly from Pennsylvania, with about 15
members. Following introductions to the Bishop, we mingled and had soda and pastries. Then we toured the cathedral, rang the bells in the bell tower, and
Sarah, Pertrina, Oliver, and Mark offered up prayers for our groups and then explained the Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN) to the group from
Pennsylvania. Our conversations became more enthusiastic as time ran out, so we said, “Goodbye, until dinner.”
We met shortly thereafter at the restaurant, El Palenque. We ordered lots of plates of chicken, pork, malanga, and rice -- all of which came family-style.
Malanga is a tropical, fibrous, root vegetable, similar in size to a potato, and can be prepared in many ways, including as a potato substitute. We enjoyed
meeting the new group and our conversations about the world were intriguing…and then time ran out. We said our goodbyes once again, and hoped we
would meet tomorrow in Matanzas. We headed back to our hotel and most people went straight to their rooms. Rick, Josh, and Petrina sat outside on the
steps of the hotel and continued their conversation until midnight.
Meeting the group from Pennsylvania was by pure chance. We engaged in deep conversations about water, the projects, and the situation in Cuba. We
shared interest and excitement in wanting to help the people of Cuba. Though partnerships with the leaders of the churches, groups and the people of Cuba
we have laid the groundwork for new opportunities to work together and make a difference.
DAY 4 PHOTOS