The largest cemetery in Havana is the Christopher Columbus Cemetery at over 100 acres. Columbus is not buried there but it is thought his bones were in the Cathedral on Old Square and they were going to move them to the cemetery when it was completed but the bones were moved somewhere else before the cemetery was completed. They named it for him anyway.
The docent was fun and had lots of great information about the crypts and the symbolism on them. An owl was a guide in the darkness and a bat meant than you had died by deception. The remains are buried in the crypt for 2 years and then they are moved to an asharium on the same site so that there is room for more of your family.
Ernest Hemingway lived in Havana for about 20 years. He had a home near the bay but his wife of that time wanted a place that was cooler and lest crowded. She found this home on the south side of Havana up in the hills and Ernest balked at moving until he actually saw the house. He fell in love with it. They added a swimming pool and a three story tower so Ernest would have a quiet place to go to write but then it was too quiet! He had his cats and dogs at this house, he loved to fish and help poor people by giving them money or by buying their wares. He was a passionate man and loved to drink but he did not get drunk. He died in 1961 from a gun shot wound but they are unsure if it was suicide or murder. The house has over 900 books and lots of big game trophy heads.
This is not Hemingway.
Another way Cuban are trying to make their lives better is by growing their own food. We visited and organic farm on 24 acres in the middle of the city. There are many more spread out over the area. They hire locals to work the farms so they benefit with a paycheck but the people in the community benefits by having fresh fruits and vegetables.
Another large lunch with lobster before going to Mureleando, a community that is trying to change the people by changing the community. They have painted many walls, cleaned out a field and put in a ball park, and cleaned out a water tower and made it into a community center. The artists share their talents with the children and with others. They have found ways to make music, received equipment to make movies, record music and they hold workshops for women and children to make dolls and other art. One bronze sculpture of a man has dentures in his mouth because an elderly lady wanted to be a part of the project and donated her teeth.
Our going away dinner was at Paladar Atelier within walking distance of our hotel. We have really enjoyed our program manager and our tour guide and this evening we toasted them many times. It has been a great trip.
Josette the program manager and Lynette our Cuban guide, photo bombed by our friend David.
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