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Eager with anticipation, I was one of the first up on deck to enjoy the sail-in to Cienfuegos. I was up before 6 AM and my group left the ship at 7:40 AM.
Cuba is a country that uses infrared technology to ensure visitors are not carrying diseases. At this smaller port, the equipment budget is obviously smaller so two live nurses were on hand to check each passenger with a thermometer to the four head to inspect for diseases. I believe that is a first time experience for me.
After spending a full day at sea since we left Havana, today, we spent a half day visiting Cienfuegos, the Pearl Of the South. Founded by a French speaking New Orleans landowner, Cienfuegos' neo classical architecture, wide seaside boulevards, and sparkling bay make this another stunning city on the island of Cuba. It's French heritage has been so well preserved that many of its residents speak French and most are descendants from Europe, reflecting the founders goal to increase the population of whites on the island. Reflecting it's French roots, there is even an arc de triompe in Jose Marti park-the only one of its kind in all of Cuba and it contains a system of urban planning adopted by Paris' Baron Haussman, with broad main avenues, with broad tree-lined public spaces.
I found it quaint, clean, serene, uncrowded, and it moved at a much slower pace than Havana.
Our first stop was in the historic town center, designated a UNESCO world heritage site (2005), where we strolled through the Jose Marti park--where we learned about all of the structures and monuments to cuba's founders and heroes. We also visited several art galleries displaying creative and spectacular varied works. On the north side of the park is the Tomas Terry theater where we listened to a private performance from a well-known choir, that moved me to tears, with their lovely voices where they sang, spirituals, gospel, traditional Cuban music, even Celine Dion songs, all in a perfect a cappella. Next, we took a walking tour through another part of town and then walked along the harborfront. We had free time to stroll along the boulevards enjoying the spectacular scenery, the marketplace where vendors sold a variety of colorful goods, and the waterfront Park replete with inviting cafés and restaurants. We even walked inside to take a peek at some new entrepreneurial collectives such as a bustling, popular beauty salon.
The sail-away at noon was spectacular! We passed through small and islets vacation-goers wearing colorful swimwear waved us goodbye.
That afternoon, I listened to lectures on our next and last port of call, Santiago de Cuba and on the Santeria religion. At 5 o'clock, they played Henry Louis Gates Jr's "Black in Latin America" episode on Cuba. I was impressed that they show this important fact-based documentary. I had packed my "Black in Latin America" book and had brought it with me.
I dined again at another lively large table of eight fellow travelers. One of the guests (from Mississippi) is her husband's six wife. I am rarely speechless……
That evening, I attended another Latin dance class, enjoyed some line dancing, and listened to the Cuban band as they moved the pool party indoors because of the rain. I sat with two of my new dinner-mate friends from South Florida, Irene and Claudia.
One of the more interesting stories on board is of the couple who met on a travel meet up site and agreed to share a room together. They met for the first time at the port in Miami. One is a man and one is a woman. It seems everyone met one or both of them and heard the story..........eventually. I have nothing juicy to report just the fact that two adult strangers of the opposite sex are sharing a tiny room (and bathroom) on a cruise ship for an entire week!
It's stormed powerfully overnight but the ship rocked to me to sleep anyway.
