Evening in Havana. Photo courtesy of Meg Maguire
Cuba and its people mark a milestone today with the death of Fidel Castro.
Che and Fidel (from Wikipedia)
Travel with us to the island nation of 11 million to see the cities, historic buildings, natural features, and the culture and spirit of the Cuban people in this series of Green News Update articles and photo stories.
¡Bienvenidos a Cuba!
One of the walls at Jose Fuster’s Fusterlandia complex
Read the backstory and more about the arts and culture of this island nation. In the 20th century – once Cuba was liberated from Spanish control – the island was marketed to Americans as the place to travel for tropical beauty, exciting women and sensual experiences. There were cabarets, nightclubs, bars, brothels, follies, and casinos. Hotels were luxurious; many had house orchestras with bands playing mambo and cha cha chá. The tourism of the ‘40’s and ‘50s catered to every whim and appetite – especially for celebrities (Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando), the wealthy and those seeking gambling and an adventurous time.
Sloppy Joe’s bar in Havana was used as the setting for Our Man in Havana (1959), here a photo of Ernest Hemingway with actor Sir Alec Guinness, who starred in the film. Sloppy Joe’s was the inventor of the Sloppy Joe sandwich. (Courtesy AP Photo file)
Our story continues with five savvy travelers from recent, individually crafted “people to people” education tours to Cuba in the past two years. Through Green News Update, they share their ideas, insights and impressions of Cuba, as one says, “at a turning point that can go either way.” They are sharing what you should seek – and what you will love –if you’re interested in seeing the real Cuba.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba was designed by McKim Mead & White, opened in 1930. It was a hangout for the famous and infamous until the revolution. A national icon, the hotel was restored and reopened in 1992. (Photo courtesy of Meg Maguire)
Schools of blue-striped grunts and Schoolmaster snappers at the Queen marine reserve. Copyright David Doubilet.
A photo essay by National Geographic photographer David Doubilet and accompanying story on the Queen Marine Reserve – a splendor of coral reefs and mangroves.
Señora con cigar in Habana Vieja
The Essential Cuba Photo Gallery
Green News Update 