EXPLORING HAVANA ’S MUSIC AND AFRO CUBAN TRADITIONS March 19-24, 2019
Dear Fordham University Alumni and Friends:
Is there another country that captures the imagination like Cuba? With its potent mix of revolutionary politics, warm and welcoming people, energetic music, lush tropical landscapes, and vibrant art, it is a place like no other.
Join us on this carefully planned People to People licensed tour, where you will meet with Cubans from all walks of life to hear about their daily lives, their hopes for the future and their thoughts about relations between our two countries during this pivotal period in the country’s history.
From the waves crashing against the Malecon, to the Afro-Caribbean beat, to the iconic ‘50s cars, Cuba is a feast for the senses, as well as a challenge to the intellect.
Sincerely,
Michael E. Griffin , Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations
“For centuries, Cuba's greatest resource has been its people.” Pico Iyer
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
March 19, Tuesday Ciboney, the hunter-gatherers who were pushed here by the more HAVANA advanced Taino. Independent arrivals in Havana mid-afternoon. After stopping at the park’s headquarters for a brief overview of the Upon arrival, visit the Plaza de la Revolucion, the most politically park service, walk along the Coco Solo Palmarito Trail through this important square in Cuba. mistily dreamlike landscape rich in plant and wildlife.
Continue on to enjoy a drink in the Hall of Fame of the iconic Hotel Enjoy a fabulous feast at an amazing organic farm with beautiful Nacional followed by lunch on the hotel’s beautiful grounds. views overlooking the valley.
This afternoon, visit the Presidential Palace, now the En route back to Havana, stop at the Orchid Farm at Soroa , which Revolutionary Museum which illustrates the history of the Cuban is maintained by the University of Pinar del Rio. The hilly grounds political development. Visit the Gamma Memorial which preserves contain over 800 species of plants, including 200 endemic to Cuba, all the vessel that Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and other revolutionaries thriving in the humid climate. brought to Cuba.
After checking in to the historic Riviera Hotel, enjoy a welcome Enjoy dinner at leisure this evening. B,L. dinner at L’Atelier . After dinner, enjoy an evening of music at Lluvia del Oro and meet the band Son Tradicion . L,D. March 22, Friday HAVANA March 20, Wednesday This morning, enjoy a discussion on “US/Cuban Relations” with HAVANA Professor Raul Rodriguez . Accompanied by an architectural historian, enjoy a walking tour of Old Havana which has the reputation of being the finest example of After the discussion, watch a dance rehearsal of the extraordinary a Spanish colonial city in the Americas. dance group, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba.
After lunch at La Moneda Cubana , learn about Cuban musical Continue to NostalgiCar , a classic car mechanic shop, where you tradition at an interactive musical workshop then put on those will meet with the owner of the shop who will talk about his dancing shoes and enjoy a private salsa class . business.
End the afternoon at the Callejon de Hamel , the site of a huge Afro- From the car mechanic shop, drive in Cuba’s iconic classic cars to Cuban mural. Accompanied by a Santeria practioner , we will enter a a private lunch at the home and studio of artist José Fuster who has Santeria home to learn more about this religion which represents the turned his neighborhood into one enormous piece of mosaic art. synthesis of the cults of African slaves and the Catholic religion. End the day with a visit to Ernest Hemingway’s home which has Dinner this evening is at leisure. B,L. been lovingly preserved by the Cuban government and is just as Hemingway left it, with his books on the tables and many of his March 21, Thursday favorite photographs on display. HAVANA Depart for a full day excursion to the west part of Cuba, with its Distant Horizons will make dinner reservation at Cocinero , jungle-covered summits dropping down limestone cliffs to verdant located in an abandoned sunflower oil factory. After dinner, we valleys. will arrange entrance to Fabrica de Arte Cubana , a cultural center showcasing the best of Cuban artists both visual and Admire Cuba’s most famous landscape, Valle de Vinales, located in musical. Dinner and beverages are the responsibility of the traveler this the province of Pinar del Rio. This area was the last refuge of the evening. B,L.
Photo by © Sven Creutzmann
Exploring Havana’s Music and Afro Cuban Traditions
March 23, Saturday, HAVANA Trip Price: $2,470 per person Santeria practitioners This morning, meet with two while you enjoy a Single room supplement: $420 cup of Cuban coffee. Together, cross Havana’s harbor by public ferry to visit the suburb Regla, the center of Santeria. Understand the role of Trip price includes accommodations in hotels as outlined in Santeria in Cuba today with a visit to Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de the itinerary based on double occupancy, all meals listed, one Regla , where locals flock to pay homage to the Black Virgen de Regla. drink is included with lunch and one with dinner, bottled water Presiding over her own private chapel close by is a statue of the Virgen kept on the bus, sightseeing and excursions as listed, transporta- de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba’s patron saint. Syncrenetized as the orisha tion in a deluxe, air conditioned motor coach, the services of a Ochun, she also draws adherents of Santeria. of a local Cuban guide and tour manager, a Cuban visa, and
After, visit Guanabacoa which was the hub of slave trafficking in Cuba. gratuities (not including chambermaids). Barred by their Spanish overlords from practicing their native African Tour cost does not include religion, Nigerian slaves adapted Santeria into the structure and airfare to and from Cuba, inde- formalities of Catholicism. Gods became saints (orishas), and rituals pendent airport transfers, departure tax, beverages outside of took on a veneer of Christianity without being profoundly transformed. the included one drink at mealtimes, luggage charges, trip can- Visit the city museum where the syncretism between Catholicism and cellation, lost baggage or medical insurance, chambermaid gra- African Yoruba religion, deeply rooted in this township, is very well tuities, items of a purely personal nature and any items not explained. From here walk to a private home and be greeted by the listed. “Babalawo ” (head priest). After receiving a cleanse from him, he will explain his role and how he looks into people’s future and gives advice based on what he sees. For more information or a more detailed itinerary, contact Melissa Costa at End the day learning about traditional Cuban cuisine with a cooking class as you prepare your own lunch at the home of Dr. Rena Perez, (800)333-1240 or she can be reached via formerly with the Ministry Agriculture. Dr. Perez will lead a discussion email at [email protected] on “ Living in Cuba Today ”
Enjoy a farewell dinner at La Guarida , made famous as the setting for the Oscar nominated film, Fresa y Chocolate. B,L,D. Fordham University’s tour operator, Distant Horizons, is a California Sell- er of Travel (CST #2046776-40) and a participant in the California Travel Restitution Fund. Information regarding the rights of California residents March 24, Sunday to make a claim may be found at tcrcinfo.org. California Law requires RETURN certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. Distant Horizons Independent return flights to the USA. B. has a trust account.
TOUR L EADER
Accompanying this trip will be Mark Naison , Professor of History and African American Studies at Fordham University. He is the author of seven books and over 300 articles on African American politics, labor history, popular culture and education policy.
Dr. Naison is the founder of the Bronx African American History Project, one of the largest community based oral history projects in the nation and has brought his research into more than 30 Bronx schools, as well as Bronx based cultural organizations and NGO’s. In recent years, the BAAHP’s research has led to granting landmark status to several streets with historic significance, as well as the founding of a cultural center honoring the Bronx’s musical heritage.
A co-founder of the Bronx Berlin Youth exchange, Naison has published articles about Bronx music and Bronx culture in German, Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese as well as English, and given talks about these subjects in Germany, Spain and Italy. He recently published a novel, Pure Bronx, co-written with his former student Melissa Castillo-Garsow, and a book of essays on educational policy and Bronx history, Badass Teachers Unite. His seventh book, recently published by Fordham University Press, Before the Fires, An Oral History of African American Life in the Bronx from the 1930’s to the 1960’s is one of the featured readings in a Naison's newest course at Fordham, “The Bronx: Immigration, Race and Culture.”
APPLICATION FORM
Please read and complete the form carefully then mail application along with a copy of your passport and a deposit of $1,000 per person to: 2019 Exploring Havana's Music and Afro Cuban Traditions Fordham University c/o Distant Horizons, Inc. 350 Elm Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
WHEN YOU RETURN THIS APPLICATION, PLEASE INCLUDE A LEGIBLE PHOTOCOPY OF THE PHOTO & SIGNATURE PAGES OF YOUR PASSPORT
Fordham University Alumni: Exploring Havana’s Music and Afro Cuban Traditions Trip Date: March 19-24, 2019
Name: Dr. /Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. ______Exactly as listed in your passport (First) (Middle) (Last)
Preferred first name:______
Mailing Address:______
Occupation (required for visa application):______
Home Phone:______Business Phone:______Cell Phone:______
E-mail Address:______
Describe your health:______
Do you have any allergies or physical limitations:______
Are you presently under a doctor’s care or taking any medications? If yes, please elaborate:______
______
Do you have any diet restrictions:______
Emergency contact person, phone number, and relationship:______
ACCOMMODATIONS Distant Horizons will do everything possible to satisfy requests to share a room for single tour members. On occasions when it is not possible, the single supplement will apply.
I want a single room (single supplement will apply) I will share a room with: ______ I request a roommate (not guaranteed)
BED TYPE (not guaranteed): One large bed Two twins
I have read the terms and conditions and agree to abide by them.
Signature Date
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS: Reservations for this tour require a deposit of $1000 per person and an application form signed by the participant. Final payment is due by January 19, 2019 and must be paid by check made payable to Distant Horizons.
MOBILITY AND FITNESS TO TRAVEL: The right is retained to decline, to accept, or to retain any person as a member of this trip who, in the opinion of Fordham University Alumni (“FUA”) or Distant Horizons (“DH”) is unfit for travel or whose physical or mental condition may constitute a danger to themselves or to others on the trip. Passengers requiring special assistance must be accompanied by someone who is fit and able to assist them, and who will be totally responsible for providing all required assistance.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: Accommodations in hotels as outlined in the itinerary based on double occupancy, airport transfers to and from hotels for those on the group flight, all meals listed, one drink with lunch and one with dinner, cocktails at the welcome and farewell dinners, bottled water kept on the bus, sightseeing and excursions as listed, transportation in a deluxe, air conditioned motor coach, the services of a DH tour manager at 20 travelers, a local Cuban guide, a Cuban visa, and gratuities. DH will issue the necessary Cuban visa for non-Cuban born tour participants. DH cannot be held responsible in any way for any cost incurred if they are denied entry into the country upon arrival even with a valid visa. It is the traveler’s responsibility to verify that all details of their visa are correct.
TOUR COST: is based on rates of currency exchange at time of printing (May 2018) and is subject to change with or without previous notice. If there is a price increase prior to the day of departure in the basic costs, such increases may be passed on to the participant. If bookings fall below the minimum required, passengers will be advised of additional costs for that departure date. The minimum group size of this departure is 15 paying participants, should the number of participants fall below this number, a small group surcharge and/or revised staffing will apply.
TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Air service to and from Cuba, domestic airfare, meals not specified in the itinerary, personal items such as laundry, email, fax or telephone calls, liquor, room service, independent and private transfers, and excess luggage charges. Any increases in the in-tour airfare (included as part of the program cost), security, or fuel surcharges imposed after the initial pricing of this program are not included.
CANCELLATIONS: FUA and DH reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason, including insufficient number of participants, and to decline to accept or retain any person as a participant at any time. Should this happen, refunds will be made without obligation, although we cannot be held responsible for any additional costs already incurred by participants. FUA and DH must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; communication expenses; development/promotional expenses; and loss of time that might hav e permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made in writing to DH.
If a participant cancels, the following refunds will be available upon written notice of cancellation to Distant Horizons: Notice more than 60 days prior to departure: a refund less a $500 cancellation charge Notice between 59 days and 30 days prior to departure: a refund less 50% of trip price. No refund shall be issued if cancellation is received less than 30 days prior to departure date. No refunds shall be issued after the tour has commenced. No refunds shall be issued for occasional missed meals, sightseeing tours or any unused services.
INSURANCE: We highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. An application for travel insurance will be mailed upon confirmation. Neither the FUA nor DH accept liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable airline ticket or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for the tour.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES: The State Department issues each country a travel advisory number with a ranking number of 1 to 4 with “1” being “exercise normal precaution: and “4” being “do not travel.” Many factors go into determining this ranking and we recommend that you are familiar with the ranking currently assigned to the country/countries you plan to visit. A country without a US Embassy, (such as Iran) will automatically be assigned a “4” ranking. (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html). Please note, Cuba currently has a “3” ranking. If, after a traveler has signed up for a trip, the ranking of the country/countries being visited changes, Distant Horizons will alert the traveler. A change in ranking from lower to higher is not necessarily considered a reason for cancellation without penalty. Each case will be reviewed by Distant Horizons and FUA to determine if the trip will be operated. If the decision is made to cancel the trip, all monies paid will be refunded in full. Neither Distant Horizons nor FUA can be held responsible for costs already incurred for the trip.
RESPONSIBILITY: FUA and DH act only in the capacity of agents for the hotels, airlines, bus companies, railroads, ship lines or owners or contractors providing accommodations, transportation or other services. As a result, all coupons, receipts or tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by the supplier. By acceptance of tour membership, the participant agrees that neither FUA nor DH nor any of their subsidiaries shall become liable or responsible for personal injury, damage to persons or property, loss, delay or irregularity caused by persons not controlled by it, such as (without limitation) airlines, bus and shipping companies, suppliers of accommodations or other services, or resulting from any acts of God, defects in vehicles, strikes, wars, whether declared or otherwise, civil disturbances, medical or customs regulations, acts of terrorism, epidemics or government restrictions. FUA and DH cannot be held responsible for unfavorable weather or closure of access routes due to bad weather conditions. FUA and DH are not responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the participant as a result of the above mentioned causes. Tour participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of these terms and conditions and signifies acceptance of, and consents to, all of the terms and conditions set forth herein, on behalf of any participants they may act for and for themselves when registering for, or making payments on, this tour. Please note that participants must be in good physical condition and be able to walk for long distances over uneven cobblestones and up and down stairs without problems. This is a rigorous, fast paced program.