EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA: January 2013

Tuesday 29 January 2013

HOW TO GET A RICH EXPERIENCE AND WONDERFUL INSIGHT INTO CUBAN LIFE

MISSING CUBA

Snow here in Wales and I am missing Cuba - the sun, the dancing, friendly people everywhere, and especially everyone at Experience the Real Cuba. Gustavo, Misleydis and all the family were so welcoming and helpful, wonderful food, joking and very interesting conversations and insights - wish I could have understood and communicated better! The en suite room was comfortable and the roof terrace lovely to relax in the shade of huge avocado trees.

I spent a month there with Spanish and salsa classes and both were excellent. Juani and Yordani were great teachers and really friendly and fun as well. I learnt so much! In Spanish I went from near beginner to discussing politics and writing my own fairy tale. In salsa I mastered lots of really nice sequences and turns and Yordani also made sure I got out dancing in the evenings, when I was there on my own and feeling a bit shy. All the family and people involved in Experience the Real Cuba went that extra mile to make sure the experience was really good - it is more than just 'a business' and a fascinating way of seeing Cuban life. I thoroughly recommend it.

And Rena, you were so helpful and thorough in all the planning stages for my trip - thank you so much. It was your personal touch and good organisation that made me choose Experience the Real Cuba and I am so glad I did. It was a really rich experience and wonderful insight into Cuban life. I miss you all!

Barbara

Thank you very much Barbara for your amazing review.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Saturday 26 January 2013

SHOULD I GO TO TRINIDAD CULTURAL WEEK?

CULTURA EN TRINIDAD

499 años de fundación de la villa La santísima Trinidad

A pesar de que este año se ahorraron recursos para celebrar en grande los próximos 500 años de la ciudad, con mis expectativas bien bajas me fui a la calle, ¡esta ciudad me sorprendió!, arte por doquier, música, pintura, artesanos de la Habana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara se acercan a la añeja villa para vender sus variados artículos, zapatos, ropas, bisutería hechos a mano por experimentados artistas, animando a los oriundos a comprar sus bellezas. Eventos que atraen a la juventud y a los no tan jóvenes, body art, música rock, en el patio de la casa de la cultura y en su plazoleta ensayos para lo que será en la noche el espectáculo afrocubano, en la plaza cultural música de los años 60/70 y en la calle Borrel Reggaeton y Salsa para los mas jóvenes, comida, piña colada, cerveza, una gran fiesta!!!

Otrora villa que abre sus brazos a Foráneos de todas partes de Cuba y del mundo, que vienen a disfrutar de esta semana cultural, mezclando las palmeras de las playas con la salsa y espectáculos nocturnos, noble, vieja y hermosa ciudad que no discrimina en raza, color, ni sexo; para ella, todos son bienvenidos. Disfrutemos entonces de sus bondades y cuidémosla para que nos reciba majestuosa y orgullosa otros 500 años más.

Enero 2013

CULTURE IN TRINIDAD

499 years of the founding of the town's Holy Trinity

Although resources were saved this year in order to have a big party to celebrate the 500^th anniversary of the city, with my rather low expectations, I ventured out into the streets, and the city surprised me! Art everywhere, music, painting, artisans from Havana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara came to this old town to sell their various items; shoes, clothes, handmade jewellery by experienced artists, encouraging the natives to buy their beauties. Events that attract young and the not so young; body art, rock music, in the courtyard of the Casa de la Cultura and in its square rehearsals for the evenings events; Afro-Cuban music, in the cultural square 60s/70s music and in Borrel Street, Reggaeton and Salsa for the young; food, piña coladas, beer, a great party!

A former village that opens its arms to outsiders from all over Cuba and the world, who come to enjoy this cultural week, mixing the palm trees on the beaches with Salsa and evening shows. This noble, old and beautiful city does not discriminate against race, colour, or even gender, everyone is welcome. So let’s enjoy all of its marvels and take care of our beautiful city so that it can continue to serve us majestically and proudly for another 500 years.

January 2013

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Sunday 20 January 2013

IS BODY ART BIG IN CUBA?

BODY ART TRINIDAD 2013

Hoy estuve en lo de Body Art, con la música rock muy fuerte y la calle del Casco Histórico tiene mucha vida, hay buen ambiente. Esta noche tenemos un grupo que toca salsa de La Habana, “Alexander Abreu y Habana de primera” comienzan a las 12 de la noche, y en el cine/teatro estará para los niños Pentaklaos Habana, payasos, magos, malabaristas, para hacer reír.

Mañana son las premiaciones para el mejor tatuaje, hoy es la conferencia a las 2 de la tarde y un sorteo para un tatuaje gratis hecho por Francisco (uno de los mejores tatuadores) que también es jurado. Los nombres de los artistas:

Livan, Carlos, Adrian, Guillermo, Yilber, Jose Francisco, Yoel, Victor, Odelky, David, Gabriel.

18 de enero 2013

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BODY ART TRINIDAD 2013

Today I went to the Body Art exhibition, rock music playing loudly, the historical centre was is full of life and an electrifying atmosphere. Tonight there is a group from Havana playing salsa, "Alexander Abreu y Habana de primera ", they begin at 12pm, and at the cinema there is a children’s show, Pentaklaos Habana, with clowns, magicians, jugglers, lots of fun, to make people laugh.

Tomorrow are the awards for the best tattoo. Today at 2 pm there will be a draw for a free tattoo by Francisco (one of the best tattoo artists), who is also a judge. The names of the artists are:

Livan Carlos Adrian, Guillermo, Yilber, Jose Francisco, Yoel, Victor, Odelky, David, Gabriel.

18th January 2013

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES