I am writing to you from the historic Hotel Nacional in Havana Cuba, where I am spending my 3rd day with my intrepid group of travelers. Tonight after dinner I thought I was going to bed, when I heard a salsa beat coming from underneath my window. At first I was annoyed but then I realized I wanted to get up and dance, so I got dressed and went downstairs.
After following my nose past a smaller band, I walked to the other side of the hotel under my room, and found a concert hall with the Buena Vista Social Club rocking out with an irresistible cha-cha beat! The band leader was playing the haunting melody of Oye Como Va on a saxophone, a lady trombone player dazzled us with her sequins and her sassy riffs, and a pair of dancers were putting on a show. Wow! I decided it was much better to join the party than try to go to sleep.
As you may remember, I took a trip to Cuba last September, and due to popular demand, decided to lead a tour to Cuba this month. The excitement in the air is palpable, but the numbers of American tourists planning to come here when travel restrictions are lifted is a little scary. I will lead one more tour here in September, and then I just want to get out of the way as the hordes descend.
In the meantime I am taking photos like crazy, trying to capture the pure essence of Cuban culture before American culture washes over the island. The classic colorful cars from the 50’s are probably best known, but for me it is the Cuban Jazz that is most delightful. I just know these Cuban Caribbean colors are going to be a big trend influence going into the next year, and so many things about Cuban art and music and culture are going to wash back over the US.
We’ve had lectures every morning from experts – a retired Cuban ambassador, a Reuters journalist, an architect…helping us to understand what is happening on this island nation. Today we went to some art galleries run by young artists, expressing the diaspora of the Cuban people. We’re eating Cuban black beans and rice and plantains, driving past the old mansions built by sugar dynasties, hoping that the Cuban passion for living will sustain this unique culture.
This is a collage of photos I’ve taken in the last couple days, plus some tropical fabrics in stock at eQuilter.com
sharing your Passion for Fabric…
~Luana
2016 Calendar:
May 8-15 – Luana’s CUBA ARTS TOUR – Now Playing!
May 1-31 – The Golden Hour – SAQA Call for Entries
May 20-22 – Quilt Market
July 20-29 – Seville & Granada
Sept 18-25 – Cuba Arts Tour #2 – details here!
Nov 15-20 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – 3 spots left!
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