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Somos Caminos: Culture in the Cuban Context November 9 -18th, 2019

Saturday, November 9th 2019

am Recommended Flight: Recommended Arrive by 11 am for a group transfer. Book your connecting flight with American Airlines #1447 departing Miami at 9:30 am and arriving at 10:45 am.

1:00pm Lunch at a local paladar in here we will meet the owner of this social enterprise and hear about the of this property (El Figaro requested)

3:00 pm Check in at our hotel where we will have a brief orientation meeting with Altruvistas and our local Cuban tour guide, with a welcome Mojito. Then enjoy time to rest.

5:30pm Enjoy a fast paced historical overview of the development of Havana (requested architect and urban planner Miguel Coyula). Here you will receive a basic overview of the changing economic realities and trends in , the importance of tourism, trends in emigration and the dual currency system. After we will visit the Plaza de la Revolucion for and drive through modern Havana for a further overview of the city.

Welcome dinner at the local paladar, San Cristobal where President Obama ate.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Hotel Requested; Hotel Presidente

“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com

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Sunday, November 10

9:00am Tour of Havana Vieja . We start our day with a brief bus tour of Havana as we make our way from the airport to start a walking tour of Old Havana. View the diverse architecture of the city. We walk through Havana’s oldest neighborhood to learn about its historic, architectural, and cultural significance. The area was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982 by UNESCO. Learn about the City Historian’s massive efforts to restore Old Havana buildings, attract tourism and new investment, and improve social services for local residents. The group will explore the four main plazas of the 18th-century colony: Plaza de Armas, which originally housed the main administrative buildings of the colony; Plaza Vieja, the oldest of the plazas; Plaza de la Cathedral, site of the baroque cathedral of Havana; and Plaza de San Francisco. Exchange with Vitria Taller de Vidrieria,

12:30 pm Lunch at Le Chansonnier paladar, a privately owned restaurant. We will request to speak with the owner to learn about how increased private entrepreneurship is realized.

2:00pm Exchange with Muraleando Community Art Project, a community-based art programs in Havana, inspired originally by local neighborhood artists who taught art “in the streets.” Outdoor murals and sculptures, depicting fanciful celebrations of Cuban life, were a natural outgrowth of these art classes. In a country where nothing is disposable and everything is useful, broken typewriters, old telephones, tire rims, wrought-iron chair parts - all were fair game to weld and paint and turn into sculpture. The original efforts were made in conjunction with cleaning up trash dumps that had collected throughout the neighborhood. Found art objects, parks and murals now replace piles of trash and serve as gathering places for residents and visitors. We will request to meet with local artist and co-founder of the project, Manuel DíazBaldrich. 4:00pm Exchange with the photographer, Leysis Quesada. She will share her work. 7:30 pm Dinner is free.

Evening optional cultural activity. Enjoy the Fabrica De Arte, a wonderful

integrative community arts and music space. We will get you in and drop

you off, but you can cab back whenever you like.

Meals Included :Breakfast,Lunch.

“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com

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Monday, November 11

9:00 am Discussion at the Casas de Amistad with Rafael Betancourt.Rafael for the past four years was the local coordinator of the international project, “Socially Responsible Enterprise and Local Development in Cuba”, connecting international social and solidarity economy leaders with their Cuban counterparts and crafting a network for promoting SSE and social responsibility in Cuba with wide participation of activists from many sectors. He combines this with his work as English Editor of RevistaTemas, Cuba’s premier social and journal, and as professor of Urban at the Colegio Universtario San Geronimo de La Habana of the University of Havana. He is a frequent lecturer and speaker on Cuban economics both in Cuba and abroad and has published extensively. Time in Modern Havana, and a photo opportunity at Revolution square.

11:00 am Optional Beginning Salsa Dance Workshop

1:00 pm Lunch

3:00 pm Exchange with Los Compas Dance for an interactive musical and dance experience.

4:30pm Exchange with documentary filmmaker, Gloria Rolando. We will show her short Dialogue with my Grandmother. We can also discuss issues of race and gender in Cuba. 6:00pm Free Time to rest and explore 8:00 pm Join the group for dinner if you feel inspired. We will make a reservation at Paladar Dona Eutemia. after join us to wander the streets of Old Havana or experience live cultural activities.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com

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Tuesday, November 12th.

9:00 am Check out of hotel then we are off to visit to the dance studio of Irene Rodriguez Flamenco.

11:00am Enjoy a guided tour of the Bellas Artes Museum to learn about important Cuban contemporary artists.

1:00pm Lunch Reservation at a local Paladar. Then Join us for a Mojito Mini Mixology Workshop . What better place to learn to make a good mojito 2:00pm than at Oasis Nevla where the spearmint is fresh and the sabor is strong!

4:00pm Exchange with Sandra Dooley. Visit to her studio and enjoy a hands on workshop.

Travel to 6:00pm Break and Refresh for Dinner.

Meals Included :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com

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Wednesday, November 13

10:00am Check out of hotel and depart for Pinar Del Rio, to Cuba’s Western rural province. Discussion with Cuban guide en route on a variety of topics. Opportunity for questions and answers with Cubans on daily life and individual perceptions of Cuba today.

Lunch at El Romero, a Vegetarian Restaurant and exchange in dialogue 1:00pm with its founder Tito. Here we will discuss health and nutrition in the Cuban diet.

3:00pm Check in to our hotel.

4:00pm Enjoy a community guided visit in Rosario Mountains bio-reserve, Las Terrazas, an ecological community and environmental education center. Participants will meet with reserve officials and community and student volunteers working in the reserve. We will receive an overview of the history of the project, a favorite because it is an intentional tourism community project. Then have time for a hike through the community to meet with local artists and learn about the community’s unique architecture. This is a fabulous opportunity to interact with the local community and we will break up into smaller groups to discuss rural development strategies with hotel workers, famers, artists and the local family doctor and nurse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Hotel: La Moka

Thursday, November 14

9:00 am Enjoy a full Day Excursion in the beautiful Vinales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was enscripted in 1999. The Viñales valley is encircled by mountains and its landscape is interspersed with dramatic rocky outcrops. Traditional techniques are still in use for agricultural production, particularly of tobacco. The quality of this cultural landscape is enhanced by the vernacular architecture of its farms and villages, where a rich multi-ethnic society survives, illustrating the cultural development of the islands of the Caribbean, and of Cuba. We start our morning with a walking farm tour, including a visit to a tobacco farm.

12:30pm Lunch and visit to Finca Paraiso, an agroecological farm.

“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com

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3:30 pm Later we can visisit the Mural de la Prehistoria and the Cueva del Indio.

4:00pm We will ask to meet and exchange with a local Casa De Abuelos to learn about how Cuba cares for its “third generation”.

Dinner and evening are free back in Las Terrazas.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,

Hotel: La Moka

Friday, November 15th

9:00 am Morning free to enjoy a hike through the reforested area of Las Terrazas.

12:00pm Check out of La Moka

1:00pm Lunch at the Buena Vista Restaurant.

3:00pm Visit to Soroa’s Orchid Garden. Then we will return to La Havana.

6:00pm Check in to Havana and free time for dinner

8:00pm Leave for Dinner : We drive to the Forteleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, known as La Cabaña , this 18thcentury fortress complex, is the third biggest in the , located on the elevated eastern side of the harbor entrance in Havana, Cuba. The fort rises above the 200-foot hilltop, along with (fortress). Dinner reservation tonight is at a local paladar El Canoñazo. Then enjoy the Canoñazo Ceremony. Soldiers dressed in 18th century uniforms fire a canon over Havana bay at precisely 9 p.m. o’clock. It is a historical reconstruction dating back to the colonial era. Back then, the cannon fire announced the official end of the day and the time to close the city gates for the night. Here you will have a lovely view of Old Havana as the restaurant is located in Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana. At the time of its construction in the 1770s it was the largest fort the Spanish had ever built, as well as the most costly. Following the occupation by the British, who used this location to secure the port for their side, the Spanish set about building Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana.

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch,

“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com

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Hotel: Inglaterro o Telegrafo

Friday, November 16th HAVANA’S 500th Birthday

Today will be dedicated to the special celebration of the City.

We will update you on the celebrations through the city!

Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch,

Saturday November 17th 9:00am Maria’s Workshop in Word with Nancy Morejon, Cuban poet. In 1986 she won the Cuban "Premio de la crítica" (Critic's Prize) for PiedraPulida, and in 2001 won Cuba's National Prize for Literaturea warded for the first time to a black woman.

10:30am Free time for lunch, and to engage with artists and artisans at the San Jose Artisan faire. 3:00pm Visit to the community of and learn about Santeria at the Church and Musuem of Regla. The community is named after the Virgin of Regla, also known in Ifa or Santeria as the Orisha Yemaya. Enjoy a AfroCuban dance or rumba. 5:30pm Free Time to rest 7:30pm Farewell dinner

Meals Included : Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Inglaterro o Telegrafo

“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com

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Sunday, November 18th

Transfer to airport

Meals Included: Breakfast

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“Transforming Communities through Sustainable Philanthropic Travel” 2175 La Mirada Drive · El Sobrante, CA 94803 · 415.735.5407 · altruvistas.com