An Exclusive Program for Mass Humanities Program # 20613 – The Spirit of Eastern Cuba: Experiencing “Oriente” Thursday, March 6 to Friday, March 14, 2014
Program Summary: Explore the other side of Cuba: the “Oriente” or East, home to unspoiled countryside, soaring mountains, 500-year-old cities, distinctive culture and warm, welcoming people. Discover Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, and Bayamo, interact with Cuban cowboys at a working ranch and learn about Afro-Cuban music and dance from the artists who know it best. Discuss day-to-day life in Cuba with a family who welcomes you into its home and savor authentic meals at paladares (small, private restaurants). Learn about the Cuban education system from students, teachers and daycare professionals.
Program Price (includes $200 tax-deductible contribution to Mass Humanities): Double Occupancy: $3,795 Single Occupancy: $4,045 Program price includes: 8 nights of accommodations 21 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners 1 expert-led lecture 10 Field trips 12 Hands-on experiences 1 Performance 2 Flights during the program Visa
Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott Miami Airport South Hotel: Miami, 1 night The airport is 10 minutes from the hotel and the hotel offers a free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel.
Gran Hotel: Camaguey, 3 nights Three-Star Hotel – please note that rural hotels in Cuba are very basic by American standards, while this hotel is the best available, clean and safe, it may not meet our higher expectations. Melia Santiago: Santiago de Cuba, 4 nights Four-Star Hotel DETAILED ITINERARY
Thursday, March 6 - Flight to Miami / Orientation / Overnight in Miami Afternoon: PLEASE NOTE: This day-by-day schedule should only be used as a guide only. Program elements are subject to change as availability is controlled by the Cuban government. Individuals will arrive at the Miami International Airport with an independent transfer to the hotel using their free shuttle service. Upon arrival at the hotel, check in and relax until orientation. Please arrive no later than 4 PM. The Mass Humanities Group Leader will be in the hotel lobby at 4:45 PM to accompany the group to the orientation room. Welcome and orientation begins at 5:00 PM.
Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
Friday, March 7 - Arrive in Camaguey from MIA / Dance rehearsal Breakfast: Boxed breakfast from the hotel
Morning: Morning departure from the hotel to the terminal (final flight times will be confirmed during orientation). The Mass Humanities Group Leader will meet the group in the hotel lobby to transfer to the airport. Please be in the hotel lobby with your luggage and be ready to depart the hotel 15 minutes before departure schedule. Transfer to the airport and check in to the charter flight to Havana. PLEASE NOTE: Flight times are subject to change and will be confirmed in the Final Information Packet.
Lunch: Lunch in Camaguey.
Afternoon: People to People Connection: Camaguey has been blessed by some of the best dancers in Cuba and the city is home to 3 of the best dance companies in Cuba. Today we attend a rehearsal of one of these companies (which is dependent on their touring schedule and we cannot confirm which group until just a few days prior) and we meet the dancers and enjoy an opportunity to talk about their careers and their art. Afterwards check into your hotel and enjoy a welcome cocktail, followed by a visit to San Juan Square. Dinner: Dinner at a local Paladar (Private restaurant).
Saturday, March 8 - Discovering the Spirit of Camaguey, its Squares and its Artists Note: Extensive use of bicycle rickshaws this afternoon. You must be able to share the seat with another participant and get on and off the rickshaw with no assistance (step up is 1 - 1.5 Feet)
Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning: One of the first seven villages founded by the Spaniards in Cuba, Camagüey played a prominent role as the urban centre of an inland territory dedicated to cattle breeding and the sugar industry. It is the 3rd largest city in Cuba and the historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We start at Agro Market, the farmer's market, to see some of the agricultural products available in this area. We end the morning with a People to People Connection: Meet the creator of a very unique public art program that has received UNESCO awards for cultural heritage. Martha Jimenez is a world renowned sculptor and painter; she created the Plaza Carmen Sculpture project and will share with us her motivation and her community around Carmen Square.
Lunch: Lunch in the Carmen Plaza.
Afternoon: Later on bicycle rickshaws we explore the city. We start at the workers square, La Iglesia Nuestra Senor de la Merced, Principe Theater, Agromonte Park, the farmers market and end at Carmen square.
Dinner: Dinner at the hotel at your own pace.
Sunday, March 9 - Camaguey and Rural Ranching Traditions Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning: This morning we leave the city center and explore the region outside of Camaguey. People to People Connection: We meet with real Cuban cowboys. Camaguey is the center of livestock in Cuba and outside of the city are a number of ranches. We explore a working ranch and witness the work and the games before engaging the ranchers in a conversation about rural life in Cuba. Later we enjoy another People to People Connection: Next to the ranch is a small rural village where the workers and their family live, meet the local teacher and see and speak with students in the one classroom school. Later visit a humble home and meet the family to hear about life in this very isolated and poor community.
Lunch: Lunch at the King Ranch.
Afternoon: People to People Connection: We will visit a unique Artist studio and meet with 3 artists each using a different medium. This presents the unique opportunity to discuss the role of the Artist in Cuban society and to better understand the level of freedom they are given in their pursuit of creativity. After our meeting we enjoy the performance of a string quartet.
Dinner: Dinner in San Juan Square.
Monday, March 10 - From Camaguey to Santiago and Explore Bayamo and El Cobre Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning: This morning we transfer from Camaguey to Santiago de Cuba via Bayamo. The road takes us into the heart of Cuba and you witness some of the most beautiful scenery. This will take about 3 hours with a rest stop along the road. Bayamo was the second city founded by the Spanish in Cuba in 1513. Explore the city's main square before lunch. People to People Connection: Explore a traditional horse- drawn carriage factory unique only to Bayamo. Meet the craftspeople and learn about this disappearing art.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Bayamo.
Afternoon: Later, we stop to discover the El Cobre Sanctuary, dedicated to the Patron Saint of Cuba. Here pilgrims from all over Cuba come to pray and ask for favors of the most cherished saint. Upon arrival in Santiago de Cuba, check into your rooms.
Dinner: Leisure dinner buffet at the hotel.
Tuesday, March 11 - Exploring Santiago de Cuba and Afro Cuban Influences Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning: Explore Santiago de Cuba. We start with a stop at the Plaza de la Revolution and the Mencado barracks for photo stops and learn a bit about Santiago during the revolution. Later in the morning we make our way to the cemetery to see some of the most beautiful burial crypts built in Cuba and to learn about Jose Martí, the Cuban National Hero ending our discovery witnessing the changing of the guard at the tomb of Jose Martí. We end the morning at the Diego Velázquez House and Museum, said to be the oldest standing house in Cuba, the Spanish colonial structure is an excellent example of how Spaniards built and lived in Cuba.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: People to People Connection: This afternoon we walk over to the Casa de la Trova where you meet with your dance instructor and spend the hour learning the Salsa while you engage in a truly cultural connection. Later this afternoon a presentation and meet with an expert on Afro Cuban culture and learn about their unique customs.
Dinner: Dinner at a paladar. People to People Connection: Talk with the family and learn about what it's like to run a private enterprise in Cuba.
Wednesday, March 12 – Guantanamo’s Musical Cultural Heritage: Chengui and the Tumba Francesa
Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning: People to People Connection: Interact with dancers at the Tumba Francesa Pompadour, a Franco-Haitian dance. La Tumba Francesa is a traditional cultural dance and style that emerged in the 18th century in Oriente, Cuba. It combines music from West Africa and traditional French music. It is on the UNESCO list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.” Speak with the members of this group and learn about their cultural heritage. Later enjoy another People to People Connection: Interact with musicians from Casa del Chengui. Chengui, is the original Cuban musical style and rhythm made famous all over the world and originating in the country side around Guantanamo. During this activity, interact with the musicians and learn how each instrument is played.
Lunch: Lunch at the Hotel Martí.
Afternoon: Explore the main square of Guantanamo - Plaza Martí, which features the smallest Cathedral in all of Cuba and which was once a busy commercial city center. People to People Connection: Visit the Ludoteca Infantile and participant in an activity with the local children. Afterwards, return to Santiago. Upon arrival enjoy a People to People Connection: Visit with the Vincente Family in La Maya.
Dinner: Dinner on your own to discover one of the local paladars.
Thursday, March 13 - Art in Santiago de Cuba, El Morro Fortress, and the History of the Spanish American War and San Juan Hill
Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning: People to People Connection: Explore a Performing Arts school and meet with students and faculty. Learn and discuss education in Cuba and especially artistic education in Cuba. Later, enjoy the historic El Morro Fortress that guards the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The views from El Morro are spectacular.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: People to People Connection: This afternoon we drive outside of Santiago to an artist colony where we meet and have a chance to talk with the artists about their work and the role and freedom of artists in Cuba. Later we explore the Museum of the Spanish, Cuban, American war (Spanish American War) and learn about what the Cubans call the war of independence. Later wander San Juan Hill and learn about the battle fought here and made famous by Teddy Roosevelt and the rough riders.
Dinner: Farewell Dinner at the Melia Santiago
Friday, March 14 – Return to Miami
To enroll in this program, call Road Scholar toll free at (800) 328-7286 Reference Program # 20613 – The Spirit of Eastern Cuba: Experiencing “Oriente” Starting on March 6, 2014 and mention that you are traveling with Mass Humanities.