Wow, I wish I’d read this before going to Cuba! The Bacardi family and Cuba go way back, to the mid-1800s. This fascinating book brings you along on a historic ride through Cuban history, through the lives of the Bacardi family and their famous rum-distilling business, Bacardi Rum. Through a chronology of historic revolutions, upheavals and governments, five generations of the family remained fiercely loyal Cubans. Their family business finally was seized by Castro in 1960 – when there was no longer any room for private enterprise or wealth in Cuba. Smart business decisions prior to this saved the company and its trademark, the family is scattered but the business of Bacardi rum survived and thrived. This is a wonderful and quite readable narrative of the historic events that shaped Cuba’s past and present. Highly recommended reading!
Buy the book here: Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba
Photography Blogs
Tupoc on the wall in Cuba and other beautiful images, beautifully painted on a rather drab crumbling walls in la Habana Vieja (old town Havana). I didn’t see graffiti in Cuba (no spray paint?) but I did marvel at many expertly painted wall murals that were adorning streetside walls and near doorways. Occasionally political, often quite beautiful, sometimes even tragic – but always profoundly contrasting with the gray stone walls; they stood out like butterflies on often depressing disintegrating buildings. I would have dearly loved to have met the artists who crafted such delightful surprises, but I didn’t see any works in progress, unfortunately. The creative arts will always find a way to express themselves!
Here is a sampling of Cuba for Mama: A Daughter’s Journey 2016
Enjoy, comment and SHARE!
Hot off the press, buy your copy today and one for anyone you know who is interested in Cuba
or is planning a trip there. Twenty two true tales and priceless travel tips and suggestions to make
the most of your time in Cuba. Whether you are going or not, you will feel as if you have indeed
traveled along with me – as I traveled for both myself and my mother this time.
Artistically painted Chihuahuas stand at attention on the main plaza in old town Havana (la habana vieja), in vibrant colors and ringing the central area. Just sitting above the plaza in a cafe with an overhanging balcony, drinking a cold Bucanero beer and noshing on tapas offers an afternoon of great people watching and many fun photo snapshots. The area is slowly being restored, with several graying former mansions and buildings ringing the area – many with scaffolding and work crews slowly refreshing their exteriors.
I especially loved the two toned models of cars in Cuba – so colorful and fun. Keeping these classics running is an incredible feat, given the restrictions Cubans face. The mechanics have utilized about everything imaginable to keep them on the road. Candy colored paint jobs, gleaming chrome, plush upholstery – these beauties are truly a work of art.
In Trinidad, bright combinations of pastel colors are the rage; it looked a bit like a street scene from Disneyland in parts. The main plaza is grand, ringed with little stores and makeshift shops tucked in the front rooms
of people’s ground level homes. While walking through a little marketplace outdoors, every shopkeeper loudly beckoned me to stop and see their wonderful goods, “Great prices, lady!!!!” I´m asked for my shirt once or twice, my bandana several times – one old sweet lady even mimes that she would like me to give her some body lotion for her arms, like I’m a walking Walgreens.
I’ve had a nightly visitor serenading me in my garden the past few weeks. I’ve recorded his song and put some words to it. Enjoy!
The beautiful and FREE view from atop the 40th floor of the Hyatt in downtown San Diego! I always look for great places to look out on a new city, I am a map nerd and need to “get my bearings”.
The Hyatt has a cocktail lounge at the top (of course) but there are plenty of windows all around the 40th floor. Usually, if you look like you know where you’re going and aren’t dressed poorly – nearly any hotel will let you up! The Coronado island bridge in the distance. Beautiful!
Back down through Navajo country to the eastern edge of Arizona’s Route 66. Arizona has the largest stretches of the original highway and it’s fun to drive off highway 40 for the telltale brown “Historic Route 66” signs.
Cowboy Monkey graffiti
Holbrook Jail Cell
The Wigwam Motel
Pen2Paint Portfolio
