DCDayTripper: March 2016

16 March 2016 ~ Downtown Cienfuegos

Listening to: Otis Taylor ~ Harry, Turn Up The Music

One afternoon we strolled through the town. There is a very nice park.

We were able to walk up into the steeple, on very rickety stairs.

The theater hall. The next night we were going to a show here so I didn't go inside yet.

Classic reading materials at the stalls.

More statues.

12 March 2016 ~ Benny More Art School

Listening to: Santana ~ Blues Magic

Benny More is a famous Cuban singer and there is now an Art School named in his honor in Cienfuengos.

As with many areas in Cuba, the infrastructure is poor and the school cannot upgrade the seating.

There is one art school per province. Children are "tested" in primary school to determine if they would be good singers, musicians, dancers, athletes. If selected, they are brought to the schools to live, and study/practice full time.

We saw some art work

Met some artists.

And watched a few performances.

https://youtu.be/ZbquTlzNOGw

https://youtu.be/RFnXZ5A5SuY

https://youtu.be/MZBCFPkGuIM

5 March 2016 ~ Cienfuegos

Listening to: My Morning Jacket ~ Rocket Man

Cienfuegos is a charming city sitting on the bay of the same name, is 160 miles from Havana.

Che is everywhere.

As well as the billboard with Fidel.

We stopped for lunch at Club Cienfugos.

The unique culture and architecture of Cienfuegos is attributed to its ancestry as a French enclave.

A beautiful spot.

The nickname "Pearl of the South" was donned due to the impressive beauty of the bay.

We were also treated to some lovely lunch music.

https://youtu.be/GA7BLiK7Iyg

4 March 2016 ~ Museo de los orishas

Listening to: Hollis Brown ~Ain't Got Nuthin' (Gets Loaded)

One stop was the Museo de los Orishas. This museum represents Saneria, an Afro-Cuban religion, a mix of West African/Yoruba and Catholic beliefs. There are 32 representations of deities or Orishas, but we could not take pictures.