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lahabana. com magazine lahabana magazine The US - CUBA travel issue FROM GRINGO TO GUEST JUN INCLUDING GUIDE TO THE BEST PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, DANCE AND STAY IN HAVANAJUN 2016 1 lahabana. com magazine JUN 2016 2 lahabana. com magazine LA HABANA.COM is an independent platform, which seeks to HAVANA GUIDE showcase the best in Cuba arts & culture, life-style, sport, travel and much more... The ultimate guide to Havana with detailed reviews of where to We seek to explore Cuba through the eyes of the best writers, eat, drink, dance, shop, visit and play. Unique insights to the photographers and filmmakers, both Cuban and international, who place that a gregarious, passionate and proud people call home. live work, travel and play in Cuba. Beautiful pictures, great videos, opinionated reviews, insightful articles and inside tips. HAVANA LISTINGS MAY 2016 2 lahabana. com magazine newest Master Class Chivas Champion; and a cultural project that embodies the Golden Age of Cuban music: the Tradicionales de los 50. The official proclamation of Havana as one of the Seven Wonder Cities of the Modern EDITORIAL World will take place June 7 at La Punta Fortress at 7:30pm. Then walk down to Plaza Vieja for a riot of cultural activities that will take off at 9pm, and be sure not to miss the closing ceremony on the corner of Prado and Neptuno, across Parque Central, Any US citizen can come to Cuba…just don’t sit on the beach! with the performance of one of Cuba’s oldest and most famous popular music bands, the There’s no question about it: Cuba has bewitched Americans. The Island is Orquesta Aragón. crawling with American visitors taking advantage of the relaxation of US travel restrictions. Other events include the IV Encuentro Following the historic joint decision by President Barack Obama and President de Jóvenes Pianistas (June 2-29) with a Raúl Castro on December 17, 2014 to reestablish diplomatic relations between Cuban and international lineup, Festival Cuba and the US, many things have happened, and increased travel has been one Internacional Boleros de Oro (June 22-26), of them. Gaining permission from the government once required preapproval and AM-PM (América x su Música) 2016 from OFAC as well as a detailed itinerary of the group you were traveling with. (June 13-19) Now Americans wishing to travel to Cuba need only check the right box on a visa form at the airport and can travel solo. The figures speak for themselves: the And for fishing aficionados, start getting arrival of American visitors to Cuba showed a growth of 94% in the first quarter your gear ready for the 66th Hemingway of 2016 alone. International Billfishing Tournament (June 13-18) which promises to break attendance So, in keeping with our June US Travel to Cuba issue, Jauretsi gives us her record. impression in Seeing Cuba through the Eyes of an American as well as her Top 5 Things to Do in Havana. Another group of US travelers tells of their experiences Abrazos! The LaHabana.com Team in Cuba and how they have gotten hooked on this “exotic, frozen-in-time” island. Read about who is the most famous American to have visited Cuba, Americans in Cuba throughout history and how the word “Yuma” came to be synonymous with About our new look “American”. This month we have introduced a new design and feel to La Habana Magazine. We hope you like it – your Elsewhere, learn about AM-PM 2016, a project that is driving Cuba’s musical scene; feedback is appreciated. In the coming months, we will a bit of history on the only open-air cabaret in the world: the famous Tropicana; the bring online weekly updates on what to see and do in… La Habana. JUN 2016 lahabana. com magazine JUN 2016 4 lahabana. com magazine Cuba Travel Network: Definitely Di fferent Come and experience Cuba with a company that’s passionate about the magical island. Our on the ground team in Cuba is the first to know about the country’s developments—from new hotels and tour possibilities to ever-changing travel regulations, and we love to show our beautiful home to the world. With Cuba Travel Network, experience Cuba as a traveler, not a tourist. Why travel with Cuba Travel Network? • CTN is the premier travel service provider for the individual traveler planning trips to Cuba, handling accommodation, all domestic flights and excursions. • On-the-ground assistance from expert concierge representatives throughout the island. • Choose from fully guided, flexible and special interest tours. • Real-time availability and immediate booking confirmation for 220+ hotels and 50+ rental car locations. • Secure online payment; Visa & MasterCard accepted. US - [email protected] | 1 800 282 2468 (Toll Free) Europe - [email protected] | +31 (0)20 794 7962 Asia - [email protected] | 1800 198 150 (Toll Free) Rest of the world - [email protected] | +53 (0)7 214 0090 CubaTravelNetwork.com JUN 2016 5 CONTENTS JUN 2016 lahabana. com magazine 37 Leaving for Yuma Tropicana: So many US Travelers 40 yumas can’t be wrong to Cuba 42 AM-PM 2016 An American gets swept off Driving Cuba’s Musical Scene her feet 06 Tradicionales de los 50: Embodying the Golden My top 5 things to do 46 Age of Cuban Music in Havana 09 Reynier Rodríguez: Until Next Time Havana 12 49 Master Class Chivas Havana 2016 Champion Aplatanado in Havana 16 Havana Listings Taxi 19 VISUAL ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY Old Havana: Mojitos and DANCE music still the strongest beat 23 MUSIC THEATRE Seeing Cuba through the Eyes FOR KIDS of an American 26 EVENTS Havana Guide The Adonia: Blazing the trail 29 FEATURES American visitors galore RESTAURANTS 31 BARS & CLUBS LIVE MUSIC Papa Hemingway 35 HOTELS PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION JUN 2016 lahabana. com magazine By Katherine Dobbs A new outlook on life, a few serious sunburns, a Cuban boyfriend and hundreds of mojitos later (don’t judge!), I am back in AN AMERICAN my home base of classy Charleston, South Carolina, USA, alive and well but with an unquenchable thirst for a return trip to GETS SWEPT OFF HER FEET Cuba. I cannot even begin to tell you the full- frontal sensory experience that Cuba has to offer: experiencing the strength and revolutionary spirit of the Cuban people, BY CUBA eating heaping piles of savory rice and black beans for almost every meal, dancing to reggaeton and sipping on sweet and flavorful Cuba Libres (Rum and Coke mixed drinks!), swimming in brilliant turquoise oceans, feeling the beat deep in your chest of the pulsing music and sound that comes out of the city from every corner, and cat calls from every guy over the age of 10—Cuba took me by surprise and left me wanting more. It is a beautiful place—hauntingly so. Never one to stick to the main tourist traps, I immediately found my happy place in the back streets of Old Havana and nestled myself into the daily life of this incredible city. I lived for the smells of street food, the sounds of the bustling city life, dodging out of the way of the constantly whizzing-by like it’s the Autobahn vintage Chevrolets, and the warmth of the Cuban people that photos by Huberto Valera Jr. greeted me at every turn. The buildings are crumbling—or at least the ones on back streets out of the main sight of tourists, and they are decorated with Che murals, JUN 2016 7 lahabana. com magazine revolutionary quotes, and Hasta la victoria siempre (Victory forever) in as many bare spots as the city’s muralists can find. Many of the main buildings, El Capitolio (the Capitol) for instance, and the beautiful colonial architecture lining the world- famous walkway along Havana’s shores, the Malecón, have been gorgeously preserved and renovated. However, there is another side to the infrastructure there in Cuba, but it is a side that seemed to connect with me in a very personal and beautiful way. I found myself imagining the stories of all who had walked through those chipped doors, stood on the balconies seemingly perched by a few bricks. Looking at the architecture of Havana is like being on a treasure hunt: you honestly could never imagine what you will uncover while exploring. That being said, I came to love that city with all my heart. I was visiting Havana on a study abroad trip: yes, twelve college-age Americans studying abroad and roaming adventures. After haggling with the stubborn the streets of Havana. We quickly became Cuban driver to charge us the Cuban and like family with our Cuban professor and not tourist price, we finally would be on our his neighbors, friends, and family. College way. A few things were always necessary students in Cuba are exactly like my friends to begin the night. Now, Havana Club Rum at home—they love music, parties, and is the best, most incredible rum you can hanging out with friends. I hate to admit it, buy. And we were able to buy bottles upon but my new friends probably were more well bottles for a ridiculously cheap cost, as most versed in American pop culture than I was! things in Cuba were not very expensive. Less than ten bucks later, my friends and I were After classes were done for the day, we well outfitted with our provisions for the would all meet up with our new friends, night: rum, TuKola (Cuban version of Coke) and that is when the real experience and cups. began.