By: Debra Dylan

This winter’s encouraging diplomatic talks about lifting the U.S. embargo agasint Cuba is exciting news for tourists.

Last October, Knox Heritage led 29 travelers in a People-to-People delegation to Cuba. According to participant Georgiana Vines, the trip “was organized by Cuba Educational Travel based in Narraganset, Rhode Island.”

The delegation’s 7 day intinerary included stops in Havana City, including a day dedicate to visiting properties relating to Ernest Hemingway. Other destinations included Cienfuegos City, Trinidad, and Jaimanitas.

This was an educational trip about architecture, art, and live music by Revolutionary singer Frank Delgado and the Beuno Vista Social Club.

Participant Donna Webster said, “This was conscientious traveling.” Tamera Easterday said, “This was one of the best learning trips that I’ve ever been on. It was traveling with deep meaning. It wasn’t all laughing and going to beach. There’s a lot to learn. It’s worth the study.

All photos are by Tamera Easterday except where noted.

An upscale unisex washroom in a Havana restaurant.

When it came to drinks, Tamera Easterday stuck with bottled water and rum. Photo by Jack Rose.

Street musicians

“Che was everywhere. He is the icon, not Castro.” Photos by Donna Webster.

Middle class home.

Scupltures from the Instituto Superior de Arts.

It was somebody’s job to watch for people approaching and to put the eyeglasses on the John Lennon .

The Knox Heritage group saw architectural examples of Art Deco, Baroque, Neo-Classical, Gothic, Cuban colonial, German Neo-Baroque, Post-Revolutionary, and architectural influences from various ethnic groups.

A favorite site was Fusterlandia in Jaimanitas. Artist and ceramists, Jose′ Rodriguez Fuster, “turned an entire neighborhood into a giant art installation.”

Mosaic from Fusterlandia.

The group also toured fine art museums, galleries, and art schools. Street sculptures and performance artists were plentiful.

Metal art statue.

This “statue” is a street performer.

If you liked this story, you will also enjoy reading about Tamera Easterday in “How to Be a Conscientious Traveler.”

For more Knoxzine travel stories, click on the Better Living tab, click on Travel, and explore articles about Spain, Japan, Italy, North Carolina, and Virginia.

© Knoxzine, 2015.