Hola amigos! Sorry that it has been a while, but we have been busy and using the internet is not so easy here in Cuba!
Since Tuesday, we’ve had a variety of new experiences and continued to have dinners with the families of various parishioners. Everyone here has marveled at the generosity, kindness, and openness of our hosts.
Wednesday found us walking to Hotel Pernik. On our way, we saw La Plaza de la Revoluccion, a large gathering grounds for political rallies. At the Pernik, we enjoyed a day off of work, laying poolside and enjoying a refreshing dip.
After lunch, we toured a local clinic, Centro de Ataxia Vanguardia Nacional, specializing in research and recuperation for people suffering from a hereditary disease that is largely a localized phenomenon here in Cuba and in a few pockets around the world. Following our visit to the clinic, Instituto Cubano para Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP), hosted us for a brief informational visit. Most interesting to many of us was a young party member’s perspective on how the arts in Cuba are incorporated in the experiences of every Cuban from kindergarten through college. They also talked a lot about the “pueblos’” ability to work together and support one another in light of the destruction from hurricane Ike.
On the work front, we’ve accomplished much: we finished the new sewer line; we ripped out an old bathroom, making a much wider space in the church for meetings; we finished painting another bathroom and a few walls, including the newly completed sink area. In addition, we cleared a whole truckload of rubble, tree trunks, and yard waste. Though the physical labor feels quite rewarding, our most special treat involves working with young children attending the church’s summer bible study program called Manos en Accion. We sang songs, learned to play some musical instruments, and drew pictures.
Friday’s visit to nearby Gibara included a visit to a Quaker retreat center that can hold over 100 visitors at a time. As a special treat, we were invited guests to a political rally celebrating the commemoration of the 1953 victory at Moncada. Gibara in particular (and Holguin in general) will be the seat of the July 26th celebration, thanks to the people’s ability to recover much that was lost during the hurricane. On the way out of town, we got a glimpse of the new governmentally sponsored construction of houses being built for those that lost their homes.
It hasn’t been all hard work and sight seeing. After hours, we stroll the town, listening to the great music that floods the plazas around Holguin. On Thursday, in particular, the whole group went to a local discothèque to sample the music scene and, most especially, to celebrate Rich’s birthday. We were quite lucky to be at Casa de la Musica on a night when a live band, Los Guayaberos, were performing a set. At some point or another, we all got our groove on and danced salsa, cumbia, and merengue!
