Santiago de Cuba is the capital of the province of the same name and has more than 500,000 inhabitants of Spanish, African, Haitian, Jamaican, French and Chinese heritage. It is the second largest city in Cuba and the legendary home of rum as well as the birthplace of the Revolution. This morning outside our hotel is a line of gleaming 50s cars — mostly taxis ready to whisk tourists around town. We, however, board our bus to begin our day's adventure. Today's itinerary has us visit a local public hospital. Our drive takes us past the Plaza de la Revolución. |
At its center the huge statue of Antonio Maceo stands proud with 23 angled iron bars representing machetes to evoke the date (March 23, 1878) of the Protesta de Baraguá. Beneath the monument is the Museo Holográfico that shows holograms related to the independence wars.
Three doctors at the Polyclinico (public hospital) present a short program about Cuba’s socialist medical program. All Cuban citizens receive subsistence levels of food, income, free housing, medical and dental care. These medical professionals are rightly proud of their country’s choice to provide medical care for all. Staffing and sufficient funds to meet the needs of patients seems to be a universal theme no matter what the government stance is on health care. Our tour of the facility takes us to the dental area — makes we really glad that we have the modern technology and facilities in the US — though their commitment to care seems to be outstanding. Dental procedures are dispensed in a clinic-like setting, and the patient chairs are old and some very worn. We also tour medical check-up rooms, an X-ray room reminiscent of one’s I spent time in as a child during the 1950s.
Our next stop is La Casa del Ron, a small museum that shows some of the history and techniques for rum production. There we also partake in some run tasting — wow, strong — one tiny sip and my head pounds. Thankfully, there is a quartet of four Afro-Cuban musicians playing wonderful ska music that gets our hips moving . . . and my headache disappear! Several in our group buy bottles of rum and pick up the Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Bolivar, Cohiba and Guantanamera cuban cigars for later. The later smell wonderful . . .
Rum on a near empty stomach is not advisable, and unfortunately our lunch destination is out of town at the great citadel of San Pedro de la Roca, known locally as “El Morro” (fortress), and a UNECO World Heritage site. Here we have lunch before self-exploring the fortress. This is a tourist restaurant. That said, its amazing cliffside location with sea views is worth the trip. Seated at long picnic style tables, we feasted on Creole-style soup, roast chicken and pork, cold beers, and dessert.
Considered the most complete and best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture, it was build on the rocky promontory (El Morro) in south-east end of the island of Cuba, in the 17th century, to protect the port of Santiago, which was of great importance because of its geographical situation, its favorable currents and its protected anchorages. This multi-level stone fortress is an intricate complex of forts, magazines, bastions and batteries (La Estrella, Santa Catalina and Aguadores).
Considered the most complete and best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture, it was build on the rocky promontory (El Morro) in south-east end of the island of Cuba, in the 17th century, to protect the port of Santiago, which was of great importance because of its geographical situation, its favorable currents and its protected anchorages. This multi-level stone fortress is an intricate complex of forts, magazines, bastions and batteries (La Estrella, Santa Catalina and Aguadores).
This afternoon we head back to Santiago de Cuba for some very interesting and stimulating culture . . . stay tuned!