The garden, Tai Chi Exercise, teaching and La trova Dancing

September 15 2016

The garden, Tai Chi Exercise, teaching and La Trova Dancing

Joining the gardeners for their early morning departure to the "garden", we strolled through the outskirts of Ciego, stopping along the way for a most delicious cup of coffee, served over the fence in ceramic cups by a local family.  The "garden" is a four hectare(similar to an acre) farm brimming with vegetables of all sorts.  The local workers welcomed the team with hugs and kisses, then everyone got down to work....well except me, I was busy taking photos.  The government took a piece of barren land, and with the hard work of local people, turned it into an oasis in the city.  The food now feeds local day care centers and schools, and is also sold to local families.  This cooperative is a real triumph.

Leaving the gardeners to their work, I enjoyed a quiet walk back into town, arriving at the wifi park just in time for the Tai Chi exercise class.  I asked the instructor if I could join, was warmly greeted in English and in Spanish, and he even made a special announcement of my presence.  Then off the class went:  a combination of Tai Chi and yoga, I think.  The woman in front of me coaching me to make sure I was following along.  I had more adjustments and suggestions in one class than in 10 classes at CorePower Yoga at home.  The end of the class was accompanied by more hugs, kisses and the requisite group photo, with encouragement for me to return on Tuesday.

Lunchtime found the team assembled at the community center having had a productive morning.  One of the local philosophy professors presented an interesting discussion about the structure of the Cuban government:  on paper(and PowerPoint), sure sounds democratic and representative, yet we hear otherwise.  More questions for next week.  After lunch, Octavio , born before the revolution explained life before and after the revolution:  many changes occurred at that time, from his perspective , many were positive: increased literacy and an emphasis on education being high on his list.  Much discussion ensured, with more questions......plans to continue that next week.

Dinner followed a short teaching session, and we had a chance to thank Suzanne Pender and Fiona, our two one week volunteers who leave us this weekend.  Onward to La Trova, a music club, with a special event for us:  a band, dancing , and rum& cokes!  It is quite impossible to describe the scene:  a bunch of gringos, dancing happily with a bunch of Cubans, to a band playing lively and soulful music.  The manager of the club said :" Music is a way of building friendships" and this event, and entire week have done just that.  Suzanne Pender and Suzann Lupton, along with Jane and Phil were particularly joyful.(Of course, Phil may not be able to walk tomorrow from all that dancing).

Back at home we learned that Suzanne's mother did well with her surgery, and her sister Virginia is there with her so Suzanne will be able to continue on to Havana tomorrow.

We leave tomorrow am for Havana, we will be staying in Casa Particulars(essentially Bed & Breakfasts) so not sure how much wifi we will have.  Will be back in touch when I can.

Meantime, have a dance and a song, and hug those you love,

With love from Cuba