Cuba Day 3

Hola Familias y Amigos!
 
I’ve had 3 mock mojitos, a pineapple drink, and coconut water straight from the fruit, and I’ve somehow convinced myself that, ya know, this is just a healthy serving of fruits and veggies, right? Mint is green…
 
Today was simply extraordinary. It touched every single one of us. This is my third Weber Cuba program, seventh Weber Spanish immersion program, and eleventh high school Spanish immersion program—I’ve been doing this for a long time now, and I can confidently say that today will go down as top two or three most intentional, balanced, and engaging days I’ve ever had with kids.  That being said, you need to hear from both me and them. So I asked some students and teachers (the ones I found awake—many passed out early tonight) to write a few sentences describing a moment that they loved. I’ll incorporate the rest of the group over the next few days.
 
I’ll provide brief context for our program itinerary, followed by the individual quotes corresponding to each and a link to photos and videos.
 
City Tour in Coco-Taxis
We finished the city tour portion of our itinerary by surprising the kids with going from place to place in what is essentially a three-wheeler with a yellow egg-shaped shell: Cuba’s coco-taxis. The kids freaked out (Max literally started jumping up and down, and I would have linked the video below if the jumping wasn’t accompanied by the happiest expletive we’ve ever heard).
 
Here are photos and videos of our ride through the city.
 
Exploring Fusterlandia
A recurring theme throughout our time in Cuba thus far has been this idea of finding potential, dignity, and beauty in the worst of conditions. We encountered it again with a visit to “Fusterlandia.” From a poor, antisocial fishing village on the outskirts of Havana, Jose Fuster is Cuba’s most famous living artist. He has a Gaudí-like style of mosaic art. But what makes Fuster drastically different from Gaudí and many other artists is his commitment to use his art to transform his community. He is the “crazy neighbor,” creating mosaic sculptures and murals all over his property. To mock his insanity, neighbors asked Fuster to fix their sidewalks and doors “while he was at it.” Challenge accepted. He fixed and built and left surrounding sidewalks, walls, and roofs restored and even transformed into art. Fuster navigated skeptical neighbors, impossible permits, and no money, and he transformed the village aesthetically, economically, and socially. Fusterlandia softened, opened, and healed this once anti-social, isolated pocket of Havana. We sipped coconut waters as we wandered through the Dr. Seuss-like neighborhood of tiles and color and bought art.
 
Here are photos from Fusterlandia.
 
Lunch at Marea
We ate lunch along a canal at a picturesque restaurante called Marea. We sat at one long table that paralleled the water, and while sipping on our “welcome drinks” (this is a thing in Cuba—everyone gets a free welcome drink, which is usually a mojito, daiquiri, etc.), we adults were the first to get up from the table and walk over to a dock on the water twenty feet away and dip our feet in. We were shortly followed by students, and a critical mass decided to pull a YOCO (you only Cuba once) and jump into the ocean with their clothes on and swim along the sand bar and onto a swing in the water. The food was delicious, but the water, the breeze, and the spontaneity were what filled us up the most.
  • “My favorite part of today was definitely lunch at Marea. When we walked into the restaurant, we could immediately see the canal that the restaurant backed up onto. The canal was stunning and looked like it was glowing in the sun! We all went and sat on the turf covered dock to lie in the sun, when Joanna and Reese started to get into the water. At first, they seemed crazy for getting in fully clothed and we all watched from the sunny dock but then Jadyn, Jolie and I decided to get in and I’m so glad we did. The water was so much fun and there were water docks and a swing to climb on together. We took some really cool pictures and played in the water all while more and more people got in. The whole experience was so unreal and fun. It is something that I will cherish forever!” -Rachel Kurgan
  • “My favorite part of today was lunch at Marea! The restaurant was on the ocean absolutely stunning. After ordering our food we went to sit of the turf dock and dip our toes in the water. HOWEVER, the ocean water was so calm and beautiful that Joanna and Reese even decided to jump in wearing their clothes. They seemed like they were having so much fun so Rachel, Aaron, Nathi, Max, and I all decided to jump in too! Although we had to walk around in wet clothes for a bit, it was beyond worth it. As we all say, YOCO (you only Cuba once). We all had a blast and the restaurant even had a swing and floating dock in the water for us to use. After, we all laid on the turf doc to dry off for a bit. It was such an unexpected yet amazing experience and it’s a memory that I’ll never forget.” -Jadyn Lichstrahl
Here are photos and videos of our time at Marea.
 
Havana Compas
Havana Compas is a percussion group of highly talented dancers, singers, and musicians who who embody cultural fusion. Their instruments and choreography weave together and celebrate both the African and Spanish musical traditions. In a communist country, after all that the Spaniards did to African slaves and indigenous populations, you would think the Spanish tradition would be like the cow leather lining the seat of the chairs on which the performers drummed: faded, stretched out, and beaten. Yet Havana Compas (and much of Cuba) has chosen to celebrate instead of hate.
 
Our visit began with casual conversations with the performers in small groups followed by some singing by both performers and our kids. Then Havana Compas gave us one of the most passionate, energy-filled performances. We finished our visit by giving the performers hygiene and food kits and two new violin bows they desperately needed. “Para nosotros, es oro,” one of the performers said. “For us, it’s gold,” referring to the bows.
  • "I loved the Cordoba art of the drum sets and performance group. They were phenomenal. I was struck by the Cuban Guiro that one of the dancers used to lead a song, which was painted with the flag of Cuba. In addition to the pure artistic talent, it also expressed a tremendous pride in the Cuban heritage." -Rabbi Mayer
  • “Today was such an incredible day and so inspiring. My favorite activity was when we went to Habana Compas. We split into small groups and were able to speak with a few of the performers. I spoke to 4 women today who dance and play a bunch of different instruments. When they got on stage with the other men and women performers, the smile on all of their faces warmed my heart. I found it so inspiring that even if they live in a shared and cramped space, struggle to find food, and lack access to clothes, they get up on that stage with the biggest smile on their face. I find it inspiring that they are able to find happiness, even if they are living in horrible conditions, in the things that they are passionate about. And that is the beautiful thing about this country: people are able to find happiness amidst living in poverty." -Molly Grosswald
Here are photos and videos of our time at Havana Compas.
 
Casa de los Niños y Niñas
Our last major program for the day was a visit to a UNICEF-recognized afterschool program for students from ages three to eighteen: Casa de Los Niños y Niñas. Across from the school’s edifice is a street corner with large piles of trash everywhere. The streets are dusty and the sidewalks jagged. But we walked in, and after a short presentation, we divided our students into five groups and had them all talk with a child from the program. We passed our oreos and milk which we brought with us from the U.S.. Some kids ate their cookies and others saved theirs for later, as to get something like oreos is as special as birthday cake. Some kids stayed in their group the whole time, and others meandered outside and joined a pick-up game of soccer that was happening in the street just outside of the school. Trash piles, dust, and broken sidewalks fade away when you’re standing in a circle elbow-to-elbow with other kids and a soccer ball.
  • “My favorite part of today was going to the elementary school and bonding with the little girl I got paired with. She was so sweet and seeing her face as she took a bite of the oreos and milk we gave her was so amazing to see. Talking to her was so rewarding and interesting as I learned her mom lives in Miami while she is still in Cuba. When we left we saw some boys who really wanted cookies when we gave them all away. I felt really bad and gave them some of my protein bars. I will never forget the looks on their faces and how grateful they were.” -Sophie Levy
  • “One of the best parts of today was when we visited a school and talked with young students. I talked with a little girl named Danicha. She was 11 years old and we asked her about her life on a daily basis. Listening to her explain her norms, I realized how differently she and other Cuban children grow up in comparison to how people in the US do, and just how privileged we are to be able to rely on certain resources that we take for granted every day.” -Jolie Kessler
  • "I enjoyed visiting the afterschool center and watching our students interact with the children there. Ryan got a drum lesson from a talented 11-year-old percussionist. The child was patient, kind, and shared his gift of music." -Juanito
  • “Today was absolutely surreal. My favorite part of today was visiting the children at La Casa de Niños y Niñas. At first, walking in, I felt slightly intimidated. However, despite my initial feelings, the children were adorable and my nerves quickly subsided. They each introduced themselves and their passion that the house was allowing them to pursue. One boy was following a path toward percussion while another girl shared her love of animals and desire to be a vet. We then went outside and I had the chance to sit down with Leeya, Johanna, and this sweet thirteen year old whose name was Anyelina. She was so mature, outgoing, and understanding. We talked about everything from school, to friends, to what we do in our free time, and even more. We shared our love for sports and spending time with our family and friends. As simple as this conversation may seem, for me, having the ability to communicate and learn so much about someone that I would have never been able to speak to without knowing Spanish was absolutely incredible. It really made me realize how special knowng a different language is and how much it opens you up to making new connections.. Waking up this morning, I never would have thought I would become friends with the sweetest girl who is so sweet and passionate about helping animals. I admire to be as joyous and vibrant as her.” -Ava Halpert
Here are photos and videos of our time at Casa de Niños y Niñas.
 
Buenas noches a todos.
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