Introduction to Central Cuba (revised)

A Visit to Central Provinces for Universities and

Others Interested in a Changing Cuba

June 10-20/22, 2013

Organized by the Fund for Reconciliation and Development.

Led by executive director John McAuliff

(Revised 5/30; Sequence and events subject to change)

(Sequence and events subject to change)

Our people to people license covers anyone with a serious desire to participate, including spouses, trustees and third party providers.

Participation can begin on June 10 in Cienfuegos, or on June 14 in Cienfuegos.

1) Monday June 10

Fly from Miami to Cienfuegos (Check in by 1:30 p.m.)

5.30 PM Estimated flight arrival with CTS

6.30 PM Check In at the Hotel Jagua

7.00 PM Departure for Canticus Movus Choral group

8.30 PM Dinner* at Yacht Club

2)  Tuesday June 11

9.30 AM University of Cienfuegos "Carlos Rafael Rodríguez"

12.30 PM Lunch* at Palacio Valle with professors and staff

2.00 PM Visit city center and theater with the director of the conservation and restoration office

3.00 PM Studio Gallery of the Graphic Society

6.00 PM Dinner* at private restaurant Finca Los Colorados 

3)  Wednesday June 12

8.00 AM Depart to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage City

10.30 AM Meet with historian’s office and Santander family of pottery makers

12.30 PM Lunch*at Plaza Mayor

Exploration of Trinidad

4.00 PM Check in at Hotel Las Cuevas

Dinner at Hotel

Preview musical performances and other potential student activities, including a disco in a cave (Las Cuevas)

4)  Thursday June 13

8.00 AM Drive to Sancti Spiritus

10.30 AM Fundacion Nunez Jimenez (service learning for international students, permaculture organic farm training and research project)

12.30 PM Lunch* at Meson de la Plaza with representative of Fundacion

2.00 PM Centro Universitario de Sancti Spiritus (“Martí Péres”)

4.00 Check in at Hostal El Rijo

8.00 PM Dinner* at the Hotel with university professors and staff.

5)  Friday June 14

8.00 AM Drive to Santa Clara

Lunch* at La Concha restaurant

2.00 PM Central University of Las Villas (“Marta Abreu”)

4.00 Check In at Hotel Los Caneyes

8.00 PM Dinner* with professors and staff at Santa Rosalia Restaurant

6) Saturday June 15

9.30 AM Che Guevara memorial

10.30 AM Drive to Cardenas

1.00 PM Lunch at and meet with Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue 

Continue to Varadero

4.00 PM Check in Hotel Meliá Varadero All Inclusive

7)  Sunday June 16

Reflection on program to date

Visit marina project

Lunch at the Hotel

Matanzas

2.00 PM Fortress and slavery museum

Return to Varadero

8)  Monday June 17

10.00 AM University of Matanzas "Camilo Cienfuegos”

12.30 PM Lunch* at Hotel Velasco with professors and staff

Ediciones Vigía (handmade books)

If time permits, stop at Cojimar, view Hemingway memorial

4:30 PM Visit Organoponico Vivero Alamar (service learning opportunity) 

Dinner*  

8.30 PM Witness the Cannon Firing Ceremony at San Carlos de la Cabaña Castle

Check in Melia Cohiba Hotel

9) Tuesday June 18

9.30 AM  [Ministry of Higher Education, University of Havana]

12 noon Lunch at fast food restaurant (La Pachanga?)--pay on own  

Walking tour of La Rampa, Copelia Ice Cream Palace, Hotel

2.00 PM Regla AfroCuban church; presentation on syncretism with Santaria by curator Raisa Forguera at the municipal museum  

Performance of music and dance of AfroCuban religions by Nsila cheche

Ferry across Havana Bay

Artisans market

7:30 PM Dinner discussion of bilateral relations and changes in Cuba with Jose Viera, former First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and retired lawyer, at paladar Atelier

10) Wednesday June 19

8.00 AM Discussion of social change and markets with Rafael Hernandez, editor of Temas

 [Specialized university meetings]

12.30 PM Lunch with Mark Frank, correspondent for Reuters and the Financial Times; author of Cuban Revelations: Behind the Scenes in Havana

2.30 PM Visit the scale model of Habana Vieja

Walking tour of Habana Vieja

[Additional specialized university meetings may be substituted for the Habana Vieja program]

8.00 PM Dinner* with educational and cultural exchange staff of US Interests Section (invited) at  Federation of Culinary Associations teaching restaurant Arte Chef, including mojito making lesson

Optional Habana Café cabaret show at Melia Cohiba Hotel ($5 CUC) or Jazz Café ($10)

  

11) Thursday   6/20

Morning departure for Miami, arrive 12:30 pm (allow 3 hours before next flight)

 * meals included in program

We strongly recommend registration and payment of tax deductible donation to FfRD of $300 as soon as possible to confirm air tickets.  Absolute deadline for registration and donation is noon June 3.  Balance of payment will be in cash on arrival in Cuba.

For the full program, 6/10-20, the cost on arrival is $2915 (single supplement $325).   For abbreviated program beginning in Santa Clara on June 14, the cost on arrival is $1815 (single supplement $225). Participants will pay directly for flights from origin point to Cuba.  For further information and registration form, contact John McAuliff, director@ffrd.org, 917-859-9025.  

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Supplemental program under development, costs shared 

Visit ICAIC  (Instituto Cubano del Arte y la Industria Cinematográficos)

Finca Vijia, home of Ernest Hemingway

12) Friday   6/21

Oficina Santiago Alvarez

Fuster Gallery and Community Project

National Museum of Art

Dinner at Teatro El Cabildo with musicologist Tony Pinelli and Lourdes Diaz

Opera de la Calle at Teatro El Cabildo, meet with creator Ulises Aquino

13)  Saturday   6/22

Depart Havana (check in 10:00 am, arrive Miami 1:30 pm)

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On request, an effort will be made to arrange alternative appointments at specialized universities in the Havana area (list below) on Wednesday June 19. Personal payment of taxi fares may be required.

Universities in Havana area under Ministry of Higher Education

____ Universidad de Habana
____ Universidad de Ciencias Informaticas
____ Polytechnic Institute "Jose A. Echeverria" (CUJAE)
____ Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agricolas (INCA)
____ Universidad Agraria de la Habana
____ Instituto Superior de Diseno

Other Universities and Educational Organizations in Havana area

____ Universidad de Ciencias Pedagogicas Enrique Jose Varona
____ Universidad de las Artes (ISA)
____ La Escuela de la Medicina Veterinaria
____ Universidad de Ciencias de la Cultura Fisica y el Deporte "Manuel Fajardo"
____ Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de la Habana
____ Escuela Latinamericana de Medicina
____ Centro de Ingenieria Genetica y Biotecnologia
____ Centro Nacional de Rehabilitacion "Julio Diaz"
____ Acuario Nacional Cuba