My August 2017 Cuban Trip And 2015 President Barack Obama

3my August 2017 Cuban Tripin 2015 President Barack Obama Our First

In 2015 President Barack Obama, our first Black President, opened diplomatic relationships between the United States and Cuba after nearly a 50 years silence. Americans could travel to Cuba for educational purposes. When Donald Trump became President, he said Americans could not go to Cuba and spend any money in hotels or restaurants. Jack and Jill, an organization founded in Philadelphia in 1938 for Black families, reserved 125 spaces on a Greek cruise ship for the trip to Cuba. I am a former member of the organization.

Dr. Ingrid Watson- Miller and I were cabinmates. ( Those of you who read The Devil’s Nose should recognize that name; she and I co-wrote it in 2015 ). We met the ship in Montego Bay, Jamaica and sailed to Cuba from August 4 to August 11; we slept on the ship and ate all our meals there. Thus, we followed Donald Trump’s mandate of not spending any money in Cuban hotels and restaurants. Ingrid and I also participated in a full schedule of educational exchange activities resulting in meaningful interaction with residents of Santiago de Cuba, Havana and Cienfuegos. I started my trip to Cuba by flying from Charlotte, North Carolina to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Once I landed in Jamaica, I went to the ports and embarked on the Greek Ship Celestyal Crystal. In Santiago de Cuba, we met Dr. Martha Cordie Jackson who is the director of the Fernando Ortiz African Cultural Center. We enjoyed a dance performance by the Oricha gods. Pictures were taken with the dancers.

We then strolled the Patio of the Artisans and to Conga Gallery to see its collection of contemporary Cuban art. The group continued the tour by visiting three of the most iconic sites in Santiago de Cuba, i.e., a memorial to Antonio Maceo, San Juan Hill, and the Moncada Barracks. Antonio Maceo, the “Bronze Titan,” led two wars of independence against the Spanish. San Juan Hill is where Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders defeated the Spanish during the Spanish-American War. The Moncada Barracks are where Fidel and Raul Castro began their 1953 assault on the Batista regime.

Havana, the capital of Cuba, was a two-day adventure. On day one, we took a walking tour of Old Havana which had a breathtaking mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments. We also saw a homogeneous ensemble of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards. The group saw the Royal Forces castle, Saint Francis of Assisi Square, the Cathedral Square, the Old Square and the Arms Square. I got an opportunity to see and buy old books in all languages and interact with the book sellers.

In the afternoon, the Panoramic Tour included a photo stop at the famed Old Capitol Building. Then we drove past Revolution Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, Central Park and the Grand Theater of Havana. We stopped at Revolution Square for some free time and photos. We saw the José Marti Memorial, the National Library and the Revolution Palace there. We left Revolution Square and drove past Old Havana’s most important buildings, the University of Havana, the Alma Mater statue, the Coppelia ice cream parlor, the Yara movie theater and the Havana Libre hotel.

We ended the tour at San Jose Market which is the size of three football fields. Day two of the tour of Havana took us to the Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of the Revolution. The Museum of the Revolution is housed in the former Presidential Palace and it is dedicated to the revolutionary war of the 1950s and to the country’s post-1959 history. After visiting the museums, we made a stop to marvel at some of the outdoor installations of legendary Cuban ceramicist and graphic artist Jose Fuster who is a pioneer of Cuban visual art. Cienfuegos, known as “The Pearl of the South,” was our last port of call.

It was founded in 1819 and is situated on the Caribbean at the heart of Cuba’s sugar cane, mango, tobacco and coffee production area. We stopped at the Graphic Society of Cienfuegos where we met with local artists. This society is beloved by the people of Cienfuegos for its programs for children with special needs. We then enjoyed a panoramic view of the city before we visited the magnificent Teatro Thomas Terry. It was built between 1887 and 1889 to honor Venezuelan industrialist Thomas Terry. This 950-seat opera house and theater are decorated with Carrara marble and hand-carved Cuban hardwood.

On the Celestyal Crystal, we enjoyed lively lectures on Cuba’s fascinating history given to us by Dr. Jorge Gonzalez Arocha. We also learned about aspects of Afro Cuban Culture; we learned to dance the salsa, rumba, bachata and cha-cha-cha like a Cuban. We attended a Cuban cooking demonstration and we learned to make mojitos like a professional.

The history of rum was explained to us and we watched how Cuban cigars are hand rolled. The trip was enjoyable and educational. I am so grateful that I was able to explore such a beautiful country. The people are many shades of brown and black and many reminded me of the Hispanics I have encountered in other Latin American countries I have been fortunate to visit. ¡Viva La Cuba! Dr. Margaret L. Morris April 4, 2020

Paper For Above instruction

The account of Dr. Margaret L. Morris's trip to Cuba offers a compelling narrative of cultural exchange, historical exploration, and personal reflection during a period of evolving diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. This trip, undertaken in August 2017 aboard the Greek cruise ship Celestyal Crystal, exemplifies the significance of educational tourism and intercultural engagement within the context of shifting political landscapes.

Before 2015, Cuba and the United States did not maintain formal diplomatic relations, largely due to longstanding embargoes and political disagreements. The last formal diplomatic ties prior to 2015 were severed in the early 1960s following the Cuban Revolution and subsequent U.S. embargo. Diplomatic relations were re-established in July 2015 under President Barack Obama, marking a historic shift toward normalization and openness. This change facilitated Americans' ability to visit Cuba for educational and cultural purposes, a milestone that Morris's trip exemplifies.

The trip was organized by Jack and Jill, a historic organization dedicated to supporting Black families, which has played roles in fostering community and cultural understanding. In Morris's account, the organization arranged for 125 spaces on a Greek cruise, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to enabling educational and cultural trips, especially for Black families. Morris's personal connection to the organization as a former member underscores the importance of community support in facilitating cross-cultural experiences.

During the cruise, Morris traveled with Dr. Ingrid Watson-Miller, highlighting the collaborative and academic aspects of the journey. Their engagement with local Cuban residents and participation in scheduled educational activities underscored the trip’s emphasis on meaningful intercultural exchange. They visited significant sites in Santiago de Cuba, such as the memorial to Antonio Maceo, a key figure in Cuba's fight for independence, and the Moncada Barracks, pivotal in Fidel Castro's revolutionary activities.

In Havana, the complex history of Cuba was vividly explored through guided tours of Old Havana’s architectural heritage and museums such as the Museum of the Revolution. Visiting landmarks like the Old Capitol Building, the Revolution Museum, and notable public squares demonstrated Cuba’s rich history of colonialism, revolution, and social change. The outdoor art installations by Jose Fuster showcased Cuba’s vibrant visual arts scene, illustrating political and social narratives through artistic expression.

The trip further encompassed cultural activities, such as learning Cuban dances—salsa, rumba, bachata, and cha-cha-cha—highlighting the island’s lively musical heritage. The demonstration of cigar rolling and the history of rum production provided insights into Cuba’s globally renowned craft industries, integral to its economy and cultural identity.

The exploration of Cienfuegos, “The Pearl of the South,” rooted in its historical significance and economic contributions to Cuba’s sugar and coffee industries, provided an appreciation for the country’s regional diversity. The visit to Teatro Tomas Terry, a grand opera house, embodies Cuba’s artistic legacies.

Overall, Morris’s narrative emphasizes the educational, cultural, and personal growth dimensions of the trip. She reflects on the diversity of the Cuban people, their cultural resilience, and their openness to intercultural dialogue. Her experience aligns with broader historical themes of diplomacy, cultural exchange, and the power of grassroots organization to foster understanding across borders.

This trip exemplifies the importance of international travel that promotes cross-cultural understanding and historical appreciation amidst changing political climates. The insights gained from such journeys are vital in fostering global awareness, respect for cultural heritage, and the appreciation of unique artistic expressions that define Cuba’s identity. Morris’s detailed account underscores the value of educational tourism in building bridges and strengthening international relationships, as exemplified by the diplomatic normalization efforts initiated years earlier.

References

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