Labor Solidarity in Cuba November 14-20, 2018

Home , Battle of Santa Clara, Che Guevara Mausoleum, Tren Blindado

presents

Cosponsored by Building Relations with Cuban Labor

Nov. 14 Arrival and Orientation (D) Arrive in Jose Marti International Airport. Today is set aside as an arrival day. We ask that the group arrive by 4 pm.

We will arrange 1 group transfer this day. AltruVistas will collect flight arrival information and let each delegate know if they are in our group transfer, or if people will have to take or share a cab.

6:00pm Welcome Meet and Greet Orientation Meeting with your Cuban Guide with a Welcome Mojito.

8:00 pm Welcome Dinner

Nov. 15th (B,L,D) 9:00am Lecture on the “ History of the Cuban Revolution”, 10:30am Enjoy a guided Walking City Tour of Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delegates also have time to engage with Cubans at their art studios, galleries and markets where participants will meet with Cuban artists and find out first hand how artist negotiate between the tourist market, a socialist economy and new opportunities for individual entrepreneurship. Visit the four major historical squares of Cuba. Historian’s massive efforts to restore Old Havana buildings, attract tourism and new investment, and improve social services for local residents. See buildings and homes in different stages of reconstruction, meet with neighborhood residents. Learn about how tourism impacts economic good.

Lunch in old Havana at Hemingway’s old dive the Bodequita del Medio and then we will continue our City Tour.

4:00pm Visit to the Museum of the Revolution.

5:30-7pm Free time for personal exploration

7:30pm Dinner tonight is at the Floridita Restaurant.

Nov. 16th (B,L,D) 8:00am We are off for the province of Matanzas, known for its AfroCuban culture and legacy. Matanzas is called the “City of Bridges,” or the Athens of Cuba. We stop at the Bacunayagua Bridge on way to Matanzas town.

10:30 am Reception and exchange with the Provincial Secretary of the Provincial Union.

Lunch

1:00pm Tour and visits to the “Colectivos de Cubanacán y Gran Caribe”. This afternoon, if time permits, we will request to visit Ediciones Vigia, in Matanzas town. A wonderful literary arts collective. They make hand-made paper books.

Dinner is back in Havana together.

Nov.17th (B,L,D)

8:00am We are off for the province of Santa Clara today. Santa Clara is the capital of the central Cuban province of Villa Clara. It’s chiefly known for its revolutionary landmarks. In the city's west, the Che Guevara Mausoleum is the resting place of Che Guevara and other fighters. It’s crowned by a massive bronze statue of the revolutionary leader. We will visit is Memorial today. Then we will visit the Tren Blindado and La Loma del Capiro, to learn more about the history of Cuba Revolution, and the Battle of Santa Clara.

Lunch will be at the Campismo Arco Iris.

After we will participate in the National Conference and have a US/Cuba labor union exchange. We return to Havana for dinner.

Nov. 18th (B,L,D) 9:00am Meeting with a representative from the Poder Popular to discuss political representation in Cuba and the new Constitutional process.

11:00am Exchange with the General Secretary of the CTC, the Cuban Workers Union to learn about the history and current status of labor and labor rights in Cuba. Requested speaker is Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento.

Lunch

2:30pm Visit to Cuba's Museum of the Organs of State Security. The exhibit, which includes many of the committee's findings, even describes one of the more bizarre CIA ideas: to coat Castro's shoes with a chemical that would make his beard fall out, thus presumably reducing his charismatic appeal.

4:00pm Meeting and exchange at the home of Cuban photographer Roberto Salas. He documented much of the Cuban Revolution,

5:30-7:00pm Free time for personal exploration

7:30pm Dinner at the Jardin del Los Milagros .

Nov. 19th (B,L,D) 9:00am Meeting with a representative from ICAP, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples. Here you can ask questions about US Cuban international relations today.

11:00am Exchange with the Muraleando Community Arts program 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.

Lunch at a local Paladar, privately owned restaurant.

Pm Our afternoon is saved for an exchange with the Ministry of Tourism.

If we have free time we will visit the San Jose de Amancenes arts and crafts fair for those that would like to shop for gifts and exchange with local craft persons.

6:00-7pm Wrap- up Meeting facilitated by Bill Camp and BRCL.

7:30pm Farewell Dinner

Nov. 20th Hasta Luego (B) 9:00 Check out of Hotel after breakfast. We will have a morning transfer to Jose Marti International Airport for our departures back to US.

For those leaving later, feel free to have the hotel care for your bags after your 12noon check out time. Please plan with the hotel to arrange a taxi. Please be at the airport 3 hours before departure to allow for plenty of time to pass through immigration.