Two Colonial Towns

Life in other Cuban coastal towns is slower paced than in Havana. Our leisurely time in Cienfuegos and Trinidad showed us a more relaxed Cuba, where historical references and times mesh with everyday activities. 

 

Though traveling, in part, on a four-lane divided highway in our luxury bus on the three-hour drive to Cienfuegos, we shared the road with every mode of transportation. That carried over into both towns as well, where we might see horse-and-wagon drivers with a load of people or cargo, motorbikes, ancient and modern cars, trucks, local buses, and tractors. 

Cienfuegos, settled by folks from former French colonies, and named for a general in the Revolution, is known for its beauty and architecture. We enjoyed walking the streets, seeing the vendors and the lovely restored buildings surrounding the grand plaza.

 But in the midst of this historical setting, the modern world cannot be denied. Crowds of people and sometimes, we’re told, buses park themselves at one end of the plaza garden to take advantage of the Wi-Fi hotspot that’s accessible there.

Cantores de Cienfuegos, directed by Honey

In this city filled with the arts and artists, we had the pleasure of a performance by the Cantores de Cienfuegos, a renowned choral group that moved Annis to tears with the very first notes they sang. We realized this must be the same group had also enamored our friends Ruth and Phil when they visited Cuba.

Our cultural exchange included a meeting with some of the 214 writers, artists, and musicians who are members of the Union of Writers and Artists in Cuba. This all-inclusive group’s function is to protect work and personal life conditions and talk with the government on behalf of the arts community.

Yanet with the president of the artists union

Trinidad was founded by Spanish conquistadors in the early 1500s. Walking its cobblestone streets, we were reminded of our beloved San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

In Trinidad, we had the opportunity to call on more artists and to visit the home of a local family. A homeowner, Liliana, and her young adult son Ricardo welcomed us in, and we all sat around their front room. They discussed such things as their utility costs, remodeling after a partial roof cave-in, and Ricardo's studies and work, providing a glimpse into a typical family’s living circumstances.Then we were free to wander on our own to visit the shops, church, or hang in the Plaza Mayor and people watch.

These two exquisite, detailed pieces are carved from old doors and window covers.

Live "sculptures" sit outside the church

The paladares of Cienfuegos and Trinidad served up beautiful and tasty meals, and we enjoyed the company of our trip mates in a wide variety of settings that fascinated us with their originality, like this one:

 Visiting these two UNESCO World Heritage Site colonial towns added to our all-around view of Cuba and its people.