March 20, 2019 History and National Identity in Cuba (Meals: B, L)
Breakfast at your casa.
9 a.m. Invited Speaker to your casa to give a historical overview of the development
of Havana. Here you will understand the history and the current political economy
of Cuba.
10:30 a.m. Enjoy a guided Walking City Tour of Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Participants will have time to engage with Cubans at their art studios, galleries
and markets. Participants will meet with Cuban artists and find out first-hand how
artist negotiate between the tourist market, a socialist economy, and new opportunities
for individual entrepreneurship.
Visit to the four major historical squares of Cuba. See the historian’s massive efforts
to restore Old Havana buildings, attract tourism and new investment, and improve social
services for local residents. See buildings and homes in different stages of reconstruction,
meet with neighborhood residents.
Highlights include the Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja, and
Plaza de la Cathedral. We will also visit the Taller Graffica artist workshop off
of Cathedral Square.
1 p.m. Exchange with the community arts project Murraleando. This Community Art Project
in Havana, inspired originally by local neighborhood artists who taught art “in the
streets.” Outdoor murals and sculptures, depicting fanciful celebrations of Cuban
life, were a natural outgrowth of these art classes. In a country where nothing is
disposable and everything is useful, broken typewriters, old telephones, tire rims,
wrought-iron chair parts - all were fair game to weld and paint and turn into sculpture.
The original efforts were made in conjunction with cleaning up trash dumps that had
collected throughout the neighborhood. Found art objects, parks and murals now replace
piles of trash and serve as gathering places for residents and visitors. We will request
to meet with local artist and co-founder of the project, Manuel Díaz Baldrich Manolo.
3 p.m. Lunch at Jardin de los Milagros with an intimate exchange with Gloria Rolando,
Afro-Cuban film maker to discuss national identity, ethnicity and the Afro-Cuban roots
in Cuban Culture. We will see her short “Dialogues with my grandmother”. She can also
share with you about Santeria in Cuba today. http://www.afrocubaweb.com/gloriarolando/gloriarolando.htm
4-5:30 p.m. Our city tour of modern Havana continues as we see main attractions with
a stylish ride in classic cars. This tour will take you along the Malecón, the beautiful
seaside boulevard of Havana. Its seafront wall is important for social, inspiring,
and a romantic spot for all Habanero ́s. Your ride along the streets will also bring
you to The Revolution Square (Plaza de la Revolución).
6 p.m. Visit to the Callejon de Hamel (Hamel Alley), the epicenter to the Cuban Afro-Culture,
see very original street art gallery and Rumba dance. This is a very full vibrant
event in a small place. For safety please leave ALL your purses, backpacks and personal
items in the bus, and have nothing in your back pockets.
7 p.m. We leave back for the hotel. You have free time to rest or explore on your
own.
Optional Salsa Dance Class!
Free evening. While dinner is on your own tonight the agent can make a reservation
upon your request, perhaps at Tierra or El Cocinero. After dinner, enjoy the dynamic
community art space of the Fabrica del Arte. We will drop you off and you can taxi
back in pairs.
9 a.m. Visit to the Literacy Museum in Cuba to learn about the incredible model that
Cuba has inspired around the world.
11 a.m. Enjoy a guided visit through the Museum of the Revolution, to learn about
Cuban history from the Cuban perspective.
1 p.m. Lunch at Hemingway’s Bodeguito del Medio in Old Havana
2:30 p.m. Tour the University of Havana. Official meeting with university representatives.
4 p.m. Enjoy a visit to an afterschool arts education programs like ProDanza (a Ballet
School run by Laura Alonzo), or one of the FMC’s (the Federation of Cuban Women’s)
Educa tu Hijo.
6 p.m. You have free time to rest or explore on your own. You can walk to dinner tonight
to El Melen or Vista March Afterwards, perhaps look for where one of the ‘branch offs”
of the Buena Vista Social Club are playing (either the Taberna off Plaza Vieja, or
the Hotel Nacional).
8 a.m. Today head east towards the beautiful Viñales Valley – situated in one of the
most picturesque parts of Cuba, among the limestone “mogotes” hills of the Pinar del
Rio province. Gigantic “mogotes” (karst formations) surround a lovely valley with
rich, red earth and majestic palm trees. Visit the “Casa del Veguero” (the Tobacco
Farmer’s House) or the Montesino Cigar Farm, surrounded by tobacco plantations, a
get a mini-education on the subject of tobacco farming. Then enjoy a beautiful outlook
at the hotel Jazmines to take some pictures.
For lunch we will visit Finca Paraiso hilltop organic farm and learn about sustainable
farming Cuba.
Their family will show us around and explain the workings of the organic farm he has
created. With the beautiful views as our backdrop, we will enjoy a deliciously fresh
organic meal prepared by the family— a truly authentic farm-to-fork experience! Lastly
we will visit the Indian Cave, and take a boat ride inside the cave.
Dinner and Evening are free back in Havana tonight. Perhaps enjoy the romantic patio
of the Hotel Nacional for dinner and walk along them Malecon.
9 a.m. Learn about the power of organic urban farms in Cuba as we visit Alamar, on
the outskirts of Havana and exchange with local gardeners. At the Organopónico Vivero
Alamar we will engage with one of Havana's largest and most successful urban garden,
a Unidad Básica de Producción Cooperativa (Basic Unit of Cooperative Production).
Covering 11 hectares in Alamar, a residential suburb, the allotment's rows of vegetables
are overshadowed by grey Soviet-style blocks of flats. Though small, the garden (really
more of an urban farm) is incredibly productive. As well as fresh vegetables, fruits,
ornamental plants, seedlings, timber and medicinal and spiritual plants, the cooperative
also produces dried herbs, condiments, garlic paste, tomato sauce and pickles; vermicompost,
compost and substrates; goat and rabbit meat and mycorrhizal fungi. The Organopónico
also welcomes tourists and holds workshops and courses in organic agriculture. We
will request Isis, the founder’s, Manuel’s, daughter.
11 a.m. Depart for Finca Vigia, the Ernest Hemingway Museum and learn about this important
North American writer and the time he lived in Cuba. Then we will visit the fishing
town of Cojimar, located east of Havana. Visit the home of his dear friend the late
Gregorio Fuentes who accompanied Hemingway in all his adventures through the waters
of the Gulf. Visit La Terraza de Cojímar and appreciate all the pictures of Hemingway
in Cojímar during the fifties.
1 p.m. Lunch at Ajiaco Paladar
2:30 p.m. Afterwards visit the bustling San Jose Craft Market to view inverse expressions
of Cuban art as you interact with some of the resident artists housed in this renovated
warehouse built in the 1880s. Enjoy fee time in Old Havana.
4:30 p.m. Pick up and drop off at hotel.
7 p.m. Farewell Dinner at La Guarida restaurant with invited guest Roberto Perez from
Fanj. The Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation for Nature & Humanity (FANJ) is a cultural
and scientific non-governmental institution, dedicated to research and promotion of
programs and projects for the protection of the environment as it relates to culture
and society. He is a specialist in sustainable development and agroecology. www.fanj.org/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_AwUuTuNs
9:30 p.m. If you are still up for live music, on own enjoy live Cuban jazz at La Zora
y El Cuervo or the Casa de Musica. We can drop you off and you can cab back.
Transfer to Jose Marti International Airport for our flight back to US.
Program Price Includes
Airfare and airport transfers
Local transportation to listed attractions and events
Lodging
All Taxes and service fees are included for items and services indicated above.
Visa and applicable fees for US residents.
Cuban departure tax.
Continuing Education tuition
Assistance of a partner office throughout your tour.
Fulltime, professional, bilingual guide throughout the tour.
Cuban mandatory Insurance (health and evacuation).
Tips & Gratuity for bus drivers, tour guides, and included meals.
Tuition for the Continuing Education class.
Items Not Included in the Program Price:
Expenses and items not specifically mentioned in itinerary.
Taxes, service charges, and gratuities other than those prepaid items indicated above.
Items of a personal nature, such as beverages, snacks, meals, laundry, baggage fees,
souvenirs, etc. except where noted.
Each passenger is allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. The first checked
bag is $25 per passenger, per direction. This is confirmed and paid upon check-in
online 24 hours prior to departure or at the airport upon arrival if not available
prior to that.
Additional Important Information:
Valid passport (not included in price) is required for this tour.
Please note that all passengers require at least 2 blank consecutive pages in their
passports and passports should be valid for at least 6 months following the departure
date.
STLCC recommends that you purchase additional optional health and travel insurance.
Program Requirements
All STLCC Cuba Spring Break 2019 participants will be enrolled in a Continuing Education
class.
A mandatory pre-departure orientation meeting will be scheduled for approximately
one month before departure.
The program requires the ability to walk long distances on pavement and gravel paths.
All students must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
Program Fees
The program fee is $2730* per person based on double occupancy with a minimum of 20
participants.
Single supplement may be available for additional $230 per person.
Payment Schedule
You can follow this payment schedule, pay quicker with larger payments, or pay all
at once:
Immediate deposit to secure your spot - $250
By Sep 20, 2018 - $250
By Oct 20, 2018 - $700
By Nov 20, 2018 - $700
By Dec 20, 2018 - $830
Cancellation Policy
lTo receive a full refund, participants must cancel before October 20, 2018.
Penalties imposed by vendors will apply for canceling after October 20, 2018.
No refunds for cancellation on or after November 18, 2018.
STLCC strongly recommends that all participants purchase additional insurance to cover
trip interruption and cancellation.
*Price may change due to taxes, fees and rate increases imposed by outside vendors.
STLCC Cuba Spring Break 2019 Study Tour Leader
Chris Sulincevski is the international education coordinator at STLCC and has organized,
managed, and led study abroad programs since 1998. Chris has an extensive world travel
experience and he speaks several languages.
Registration
The registration is closed because it has reached the maximum class limit.
St. Louis Community College has made every reasonable effort to determine that the
information stated in this brochure is accurate. Courses offered and other matters
contained herein are subject to change without notice by the administration and/or
Board of Trustees of the College for reasons related to enrollment, finances, scheduling,
costs, or for any other reason. The College further reserves the right to add, amend
or repeal any of the rules, regulations, policies, or procedures applicable to the
program offered herein. Travel, housing, meals, and other logistical arrangements
are provided by an independent contractor not affiliated with the College and the
College assumes no responsibility therefore. Participants will be required to sign
a statement releasing the college from any liability in connection with the program
offered herein or the services provided by the independent contractor. Insurance coverage
is recommended. The College is not responsible for losses resulting from lack of any
insurance coverage.
Non-Discrimination Statement
St. Louis Community College is committed to creating inclusive, welcoming, and respectful
learning and working environments focused on the needs of our diverse communities.
The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry,
religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,
age, disability, protected veteran status, and any other status protected by applicable
state or federal law. The College’s nondiscrimination policies apply to any phase
of its employment process, any phase of its admission, or financial aid programs,
and all of its educational programs or activities.
For information or concerns relating to discrimination matters, contact the Director for Community Standards/Title IX Coordinator, Shannon Nicholson, MS, LPC, at 314-539-5345.
