Day 8

0840am

The last day in Cuba. The injured person wasn’t as injured thankfully. We are heading to the literacy museum. Afterwards to an artist’s house that does tiles, then cooking demonstration during lunch, then either/and children’s afterschool program. There will be an open market with local goods for some retail therapy for those that need it.

 

 

0920am

Fidel announced the desire to end illiteracy at a UN meeting. In Cuba, he asked for 100,000 student volunteers to go the countryside to help teach the farmers. He got about 150,000 students, mostly female, ages 9-16 years old. The chinese government helped with lanterns for people to use at night to study with. Multiple nations helped out with supplies and people. The illiteracy rate is reported to be 0.2%. They have extended the program to other countries around the world. The average education level in Cuba is 11^th grade.

 

0950am

Paco Berndez – Has Down Syndrome and paints about the Cuban five. He uses 5-U for the 5 Cubans and 3-i for the three that are still left in jail. He pained a mural at the museum for the 50^th reunion.

 

 

0955am

A documentary was done on people from the program and this documentary was gifted to the museum. It’s called “Maestra”

 

1220pm

At Fusto’s place I bought one piece. It spoke to me for some reason. Fusto wasn’t there at this time. He’s about in the country somewhere.

 

There were a lot of street pieces.

 

We drove by the US interests area.

We stopped by the fort that does the canon ceremony at night. Nicely fortified. Headed to the cooking demonstration/lunch.

 

1240pm

Le California Restaurant for lunch and the demonstration. Cuban and international food influence with a Cuban/Chinese fusion. They are working to perfect the cooking of pork. The restaurant used to be a school before it was converted. Outside of the paid for meal I split a nice basil cheese pizza. It was only 4.50 cuc. I also got to help make a pizza. He was impressed with my pizza peel skills. Noobs.

 

0210pm

The food was great. Had a piece of chicken that was with the original meal that was moist and juicy. The pizza was brick oven made with wood for fuel. Thin crust, regular cheese with tomato sauce. So yummy.

 

 

0403pm

The market had tons of the regular nicknacks and lots of artwork. Unfortunately most of the artwork didn’t look original and I bought most of the same nicknacks elsewhere. Now we are off to the kids.

 

 

0715pm

As it was raining there were not many kids that were able to make it. Not a bad thing. The place wasn’t so crowded. It’s a nice after school program that uses local professionals and workers to help the kids learn as well as stay off the streets. It works hand in hand with the school system locally. The students are able to work on a publication and artwork, amongst other things. Now we will be off to the farewell dinner.

-SFA