My 2002 May Day in Cuba

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In 2002 I went to Cuba on the occasion of May 1st. Through a friend of Cuba known in Rome, I was able to stay at a nice family at the center dell'Havana, all simpaticissimi, filocastristi up all'osso and big rum drinkers.

The Havana is a beautiful city and if only we had more income in the country that would allow harsh restructuring, could be considered among the finest ever.

Walks on the Malecon, with beautiful facades behind colonial era of the, children plunge into the walls is very different from water that washes the beach resorts of Varadero, their sincere smiles, the people, they are dell'Havana unforgettable images.

Needless to speak of a thousand contradictions of this country, politics of Fidel, the embargo crushing the local economy, it would be useless in this context and to leave their own idea about it. I just say, that this people has a dignity far from fear, poor in money but rich in spirit, ready to defend the little teeth that have and will remain until something in their hearts of hearts that famous revolutionary who led the liberation of Cuba from 'oppression of Batista, the country will differ from others as the only country that can still believe in a dream, an ideal, acceptable or not.

After all, however, the Old Havana offers a variety of rooms where the sounds at all hours, even in the morning, and drink good mojito.

Impressive Plaza de La Revolucion with the imposing monument to José Martí high more than 140 mt. The face of Che dominates the square from the front of the Ministry of Interior.

San Cristobal Cathedral in Havana Vieja in full baroque style is surrounded by beautiful buildings from the eighteenth century. Nearby there is also the famous Bodeguita del Medio, the famous Hemingway visits in addition to Florida (where you can taste the Daiquiri), but very touristic. The mojito is preferable to other shores.

The Monastery of St. Francis (1730) has a beautiful cloister (the photos you either pay them or steal, incredible), with a tower which directly overlooks the harbor.

Plaza de Armas beautiful evening with its library of used and its local O'really Calle, the most "worldly" dell'Havana, the Teatro San Martì still kept very well (even Caruso sang here).

In the evening I was led to Fortaleza St. Carlos de la Cabana, which dominates access to the bay, where the British had placed to seize the city. Used as a prison is now the headquarters of the Military. Every night at 21, a squad of soldiers in costume to shoot a gun to save the bay in memory of the signal of curfew that closed the entrance to the city. To get there, take the tunnel under the canal that links the two shores.

The Capitol is a monument that recalls classical influences Americans. Copied from architecture capitol in Washington. A huge statue at the entrance about 11 meters high, which represents the Republic.

Inevitable visit to the Memorial Granma and then to the Museo de La Revolucion.

Aline, the lady that I hosted in Havana, is a teacher of history and, given my interest in his country, he thought good of me to know the true experts. In a suburb dell'Havana, where they commonly practice the "santeria" syncretistic cult figures in which Catholics and values blend with those of traditional African animist and live the two most important scholars of Ernesto Guevara, Froilan Gonzales and Adys Cupull . Their house, in addition to being full of very special items is a real gallery dedicated to Che, unique and incredible thing, is not open to the public, but visited only with special friends. Here we Aline takes her students on a visit and I never would have thought that you can enjoy the view, will never end to thank you for this experience.

At about 200 km away in an easterly direction dall'Havana arrival in Santa Clara. Esteban me, the husband of Aline, along with Juan Carlos, a friend with his car and for lunch we will stop first in Santa Isabel de Las Lajas, a village in the countryside where some of his relatives live campesinos. Great feast of welcome, long drink of Cuban rum with a pig running merrily between us and one that is cut up for lunch. The country is famous only for being the birthplace of the famous Cuban musician Benny Moré, the "barbaric rhythm" and here we have a museum of which are all very proud. The landscape here is totally composed of fields of sugar cane.

In the outskirts of Santa Clara is the Mausoleum Commander Ernesto Che Guevara. Here lie the remains of Che died in Bolivia, you can also visit the three wagons that made up the convoy full of soldiers and weapons Batista (Train Blindado), done by guerrilla derail controlled precisely by Che.

Apart from this Santa Clara does not offer much more, but a visit to the city center is also a duty. The Parque Leoncio Vidal is the main square of the city.

Us away from Santa Clara to Havana back.

Esteban tells me that tomorrow is to go to the West and at the same time I aggregates to him to visit that part of the island. Here the landscape is completely different. A Vinales fields are cultivated entirely by tobacco (at least this season) and interesting buildings are the straw pyramid, visible from afar, where they are made to dry the leaves. Inside, the smell is really pleasant, pure tobacco. The characteristic Mogote are the typical heights that overlook the area, are high almost a few hundred meters and are covered with tropical vegetation. The area is famous for its numerous karstic caverns with immense visited them.

I visited the Cueva del Indio, which stretches for about 500 meters on foot and then by boat to the culverts.

Aline unexpectedly gave me a front row seat in the event of 1 May to Plaza de La Revolucion. At 7 o'clock in the morning I come to take representatives of the Party for condurmi on site with a special pass. I'm near the top of power and yet can not realize until they arrived at the Plaza Hotel, say overflowing means not making them justice. The whole group of Cubans, each with its own flag, it's right there in front of my foot. I begin to think about how many Italians are coming to Cuba to relax on the white beaches of Varadero, or tow a beautiful girl dell'Havana, while I, poor fool, I'm here to enjoy this show.

The arrival of the Comandante en Jefe, Fidel Castro, in his military classic estate, is acclaimed for more than a million Cubans. Speech by tradition as long and close final performance this incredible day. Many certainly do not approve these types of events that left the then unsolved problems that Cuba really has, both internally and towards the world. In any case, the visual impact of this term, the office of the revolutionary spirit that little remains in the hearts of young Cubans, it's still an image worthy of note and, without wishing to enter in particular, will remain for me a very happy memory.