Saturday, February 18, 2017
Francis Parker - Viva Cuba! - February 2017
Friday, February 10, 2017
Viva Cuba!
Welcome to the Viva Cuba! blog. This is where to follow the group’s escapades, view photos, and find any needed information. Please remember that wifi is difficult to find in Cuba, so there may be days without communication, but we will always let the school know that we are well via phone, and Lori Foote will post something for us on this page. The excitement on campus today is palpable! We promise to take care of your darlings and to ensure their safety and experience. Here’s to a 3:15 a.m. boarding of the bus!–Carol O, Ms Obermeier
Arrival Update
Our group has arrived safely in Cuba, although finding WiFi has been a challenge. They have relayed the message that the homestays are amazing and they are in good hands with their guides. We will post again as soon as we receive another update.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
The students are soaking up Cuba’s political history, culture, and fierce nationalism. Yesterday the University expert on Mafia history provided a fascinating lecture at the famous hotel where Meyer Lansky managed Mafia monetary operations. Parker kids have, of course, been wonderfully attentive and respectful. By now, hundreds of photos and minutes of film have been taken. Everyone is happy and healthy!
Friday, February 17, 2017
Student Updates
From Maya: I am having a great time. We are experiencing a lot of Cuban History and culture. Time has flown by really quickly because we are having so much fun.
From Ashley: I really enjoyed meeting the creator of the Cuban hip-hop group Obsesion and hearing about his work and inspiration. Overall I’ve really enjoyed interacting with the Cuban people.
From Katie: Our time here in Cuba has gone by so quickly! I can’t wait to share everything that I have learned and experienced with you guys.
From Lily: Cuba is fantastic! Having a great time! : )
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Ethan: “It was awesome to play against some of the kids who enjoy baseball down here in Cuba. It made me recollect my experiences with Little League from ages 3-12 and remember the wonderful moments I had with friends and family. It was touching to see how impactful something I love so much is in a place like Cuba.”
Nick: “Last night, I met up with some of my Cuban relatives, who I have never met. I’m the first person from my generation to come back to Cuba. From the second we made eye contact, it felt like I was home. Mr. Trotter and I went back to their home and, over coffee, we talked about their life in Cuba and our family. It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to see them again.”
Olivia: “Today we played a baseball game against a little league team. It was a lot of fun even though we got crushed. After the game, we talked with the Cuban team and donated the baseball gear that we brought from home. I learned from the coach that the elementary school and middle school kids who were on the team practiced five days a week all year long, and that baseball was a way to keep them off the streets. It made me happy to see how committed and grateful the kids were.”
Peter: “The ice cream here is pretty great. Today I got some chocolate ice cream, and that was great. The other day I had some strawberry ice cream. That was also pretty great. The vanilla I had on Tuesday was also pretty wild.”
(thanks for those insightful reflections, Peter)
Zach: “The ability to visit a tobacco farm in the heart of Cuba, the cigar capital of the world, was an outstanding experience. My dad has always been quite the cigar aficionado, but he never really told me about the history of a good cigar. I know the classic cigars that everyone loves to smoke, but to actually go to the farm, see the planted seeds and how they hang the leaves, and then to see a legitimate professional hand roll one of the best cigars in the world was an amazing sight and experience.”
Andrew: “I really enjoyed visiting rural Cuba. We hiked and saw limestone mountains, the only range of their kind in the world. The views were amazing and we saw some animals. We also had a really good lunch on a farm with all organic ingredients.”
Haley: “Learning about the development of hip hop in Cuba was fascinating. The way that music, especially hip hop, is used as both a form of artistic expression and political statement throughout the globe speaks to the importance of music for those who are often silenced or disenfranchised by those in power. That the artist who spoke with us uses his art to highlight gender issues by including his mother in the song and video was particularly impactful for me.
Visiting the primary school was a really insightful experience. We walked into a fourth grade classroom, where students were eager to discuss their interests and lives with us. It was particularly interesting to see the extent of pop culture’s influence– many kids had school supplies with photos of minions and Frozen characters.
Daniel: “The children at the school were so welcoming and friendly. We talked to them about their favorite movies, music and sports. Many of the kids were artists and drew for us”
Ansel: “The children at the school were adorable. It was awesome to talk with them about their classes and it seemed that all of them loved math. The kids said they want to be ballerinas and doctors when they grow up. They were inspiring.”