The Art of Cienfuegos
Sleeping was a little iffy. My snoring apparently didn't overcome the outside noise. There were a few too many Saturday night Cienfuegos partiers that really liked the real estate under our window. We survived.
The morning’s activities start with a relaxing visit to the Union of Writers and Artists in Cuba (UNEAC). Their building, located just off the plaza at Parque Jose Marti. UNEAC is a social, cultural and professional organization of writers, musicians, actors, painters, sculptors and others. Orlando Garcia discussed the organization, some of the requirements of being accepted in the organization (it is considered exclusive) and introduced several artists joining us for the morning. Two of the artists were drawing caricatures of some of us while the presentation and questions and answers were underway. My nose and that turkey craw I’ve been growing for 69 years under my chin were just too good to pass up. Unfortunately, he got it right.
From the UNEAC building we headed to three of the artist’s studios. First was a metalworking sculptor that we visited in his home. Second was a very informative visit to a workshop set up for artists who specialize in engraving. Here we met an artist from San Francisco that was perfecting her skills in using linoleum as the engraving surface. Here we made our first art purchase. Finally, we visited the home of a photographer and we made our second purchase. Cienfuegos is known for its art. We weren’t disappointed.
With a short trip to the outskirts of Cienfuegos, we visited Bodega de Valle. A beautiful home built by a wealthy Spaniard as a wedding gift to his new wife. Batista’s brother purchased the property and apparently a lot of notables have passed through its doors. Arabesque in its design it is one good looking home.
With lunch on our own, John, Kathy, Mary and I found a little paladar called Bouyon just off the Jose Marti plaza. With a beautiful 1956 Chevy sitting in front of the paladar, how could you go wrong. Once again, good food and too much of it.
The people watching on the Parque Jose Marti was fantastic. As a native of Cienfuegos, there was an annual celebration for the singer Benny More. The festival was in full swing and we were entertained by a group on the plaza. Plus, a photo shoot was underway with a young teenage model posing in various outfits for a professional photographer. My camera might have been accidentally aimed at the model a couple of times.
The afternoon was spent with a children’s dance group back at the UNEAC headquarters. They gave a great performance with a couple of youngsters that will have a future. Wrapping up the show, they pulled many of us onto the dance floor, only to find a bunch of old people that mostly couldn’t dance to their standards. But we had fun.
Dinner was at La Finca del Mar, another waterfront paladar that once again we were not able to enjoy the views in the darkness. While eating dinner, we discovered the trade embargo had apparently been violated. When we picked up the salt and pepper shakers they were clearly branded Kirkland. Way to go Costco.
After dinner we returned to UNEAC to hear a local band playing Son which is a lively Afro-Cuban musical style played over a rumba beat. Several of the local artists and writers were in attendance. Discussion with them told you there were some real characters in the group and they really liked to dance and some in our group danced a lot. I’m still thinking I should have trained up in my rumba dance steps.
Our last night in Hotel La Union, the street activities have diminished and sleep was good.
The Art of Cienfuegos
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Cienfuegos, Cuba
Other Entries
-
1Prepping for Cuba
Nov 245 days priorMiami, United Statesphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
2Buenos Dias Havana
Nov 254 days priorHavana, Cubaphoto_camera18videocam 0comment 1 -
3Old Havana – A Veneer of Progress
Nov 263 days priorHavana, Cubaphoto_camera35videocam 0comment 0 -
4PediCabbing in Old Havana
Nov 272 days priorHavana, Cubaphoto_camera42videocam 0comment 0 -
5Bound for Cienfuegos
Nov 281 day priorCienfuegos, Cubaphoto_camera22videocam 0comment 0 -
6The Art of Cienfuegos
Nov 29Cienfuegos, Cubaphoto_camera34videocam 0comment 0 -
7To Be or Not To Be - State or Private
Nov 301 day laterTrinidad, Cubaphoto_camera33videocam 0comment 0 -
8Family Living in Trinidad
Dec 012 days laterTrinidad, Cubaphoto_camera18videocam 0comment 0 -
9Black Holy Water for your Health
Dec 023 days laterTrinidad, Cubaphoto_camera19videocam 0comment 0 -
10Finding the Fish in Havana
Dec 034 days laterHavana, Cubaphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 0 -
11A New Friend in Havana
Dec 045 days laterHavana, Cubaphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
12It's a wrap
Dec 056 days laterHavana, Cubaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 3
2025-02-08