WHAT IS CUBA LIKE?

Cuba is an amazing country full of colour, contrasts and contradictions. It can be challenging as it is set back in time and resources are limited, but for those willilng to embrace whatever is thrown their way it is a fascinating experience.

To see a little about what Cuba is like, check out this amazing film Cuba Havana by Karim Rashad & Jessica Ross.

"Havana, Cuba is a unique and timeless city featuring classic American cars, luxury brand cigars, delicious rum and beautiful colorful architecture. Many travelers flood the Cuban streets to enjoy live salsa music, art, museums and to mingle with the locals. But there is so much more to both the city of Havana and the Cuban country itself that extends well beyond the beaten path. On my recent trip to Havana, I decided to learn more about the Cuban culture through a salsa lesson and volunteer my time on a local farm. Two experiences that were both educational and humbling."

I later followed in their footsteps and took part in the same voluntary experiennce in Cuba. Hit the link to read about my experience at Finca Tungasuk, not too far from Havana, Cuba. 

Thanks to you both for featuring Experience the Real Cuba and taking part in our Salsa lessons with our professional Dance Instructors.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

IS IT EASY TO FIND VEGETARIAN FOOD IN CUBA?

VEGETARIAN FOOD IN CUBA

Being a vegetarian in Cuba isn’t easy.  The first thing many families in Casas offer you is rice and beans, tostones or chicharitas which are nice but maybe you fancy a bit of variety while visiting Cuba. 

Misleydis has a Casa Particular in Trinidad where many of our students stay when they come to study Spanish or take Salsa, Music, Painting or Pottery lessons in Cuba.  She enjoys cooking and most of all likes to offer delicious meals in her Casa Particular.  Vegetarians that I have introduced to Misle have left her home more than happy with their meals often saying it is the best food they have eaten in the whole of Cuba.....some have even said she should open her own restaurant!  During my last visit to Cuba I decided to speak to Misle to see what she thinks about vegetarian food in Cuba.....

Rena - Have you received many vegetarians in your Casa in Trinidad?

Misle - I can’t tell you how many vegetarians have come to my home but there have been quite a few, some vegetarians eat fish whilst others just eat vegetables, everyone is different.

Rena - Do you like cooking vegetarian food?

Misle - I enjoy cooking and I like inventing new dishes but cooking vegetarian food can be quite a challenge in Cuba.  It is difficult finding ingredients and offering a varied menu, especially if I have Spanish students staying in my Casa for a few weeks.  But I try my best to vary the menu as much as possible.

Rena - What do you think of Vegetarian food in Cuba?

Misle – I’m not a vegetarian and I have never been to a vegetarian restaurant so I can’t really say but I know many people have told me that they usually get rice and beans with salad for dinner at most Casa Particulares.  I want to try and offer people something different so they can see that Cuba isn’t only about rice and beans.

Rena - What is your inspiration?

Misle - I want people to feel happy in my home and to enjoy the meals that I carefully prepare for them.  Even though I have a vegetarian cookbook, I cannot find most of the herbs and spices in Cuba listed in the ingredients so I have to re-invent and experiment with what I can find here in Cuba.  You can mostly find onions, peppers and tomatoes in Cuba but when vegetables like carrots or cabbages are available I try to make the most of them and use them in my dishes as much as possible.

Rena - What are the most popular vegetarian dishes that you have made?

Misle - I have made things like spaghetti with stir fried vegetables, arroz pilaf (pilaf rice) made with butter, onion, sometimes with peanuts,  fresh oregano or basil leaves to add a little extra aroma, all depending on whether I can find them.  I sometimes make something like fried dumplings with vegetables and a boiled egg or Tambor de Papa, a Cuban dish usually made with meat, but I make it with mash potato and vegetables, cream of pumpkin or cream of potato soup.  I have also made my own version of an enchilada, inspired by you when you brought me a bag of flour tortillas from Costa Rica once.  I can’t find tortilla’s in Cuba so I make my own version, I fill them with cooked vegetables, I roll them and sprinkle cheese and a tomato sauce on top.  I know it was a favourite of one of our students, she was studying Spanish in Trinidad and she stayed with us a couple of weeks and she said she liked it very much.

Rena - Do you think people are happy with your food?

Misle - I think they are generally happy with my food, they always give me compliments, at least I hope they like my food.

Rena - Is there any ingredient you wish you could have but can’t get in Cuba?

Misle – That’s a difficult question as we don’t get many foods in Cuba.  We sometimes get aubergine (eggplant) in Cuba but not very often.  I would like to cook with aubergine more.  Or maybe vine leaves, I like it when you make me stuffed vine leaves with rice.  When are you going to make it for me again?

Rena –jijijijij....well first we need the vine leaves, but if we can’t get vine leaves, you know we can make stuffed tomatoes instead, it’s a good dish you can make for vegetarians too.  Are there any vegetarian restaurants in Trinidad?

Misle – Many new restaurants have opened in Trinidad, but there are no vegetarian restaurants in Trinidad. 

Rena – Maybe you should open a vegetarian restaurant in Trinidad?

Misle – Maybe one day I will open a vegetarian restaurant in Trinidad, but for now I welcome anyone who is staying in Trinidad to my Casa and try out one of my vegetarian dishes....even if they are not staying in my casa.  I would be happy to hear from any traveller craving something different.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Misle & Rena - Trinidad, Cuba

HOW TO GET A RICH EXPERIENCE AND WONDERFUL INSIGHT INTO CUBAN LIFE

MISSING CUBA

Snow here in Wales and I am missing Cuba - the sun, the dancing, friendly people everywhere, and especially everyone at Experience the Real Cuba. Gustavo, Misleydis and all the family were so welcoming and helpful, wonderful food, joking and very interesting conversations and insights - wish I could have understood and communicated better! The en suite room was comfortable and the roof terrace lovely to relax in the shade of huge avocado trees. 

I spent a month there with Spanish and salsa classes and both were excellent. Juani and Yordani were great teachers and really friendly and fun as well. I learnt so much! In Spanish I went from near beginner to discussing politics and writing my own fairy tale. In salsa I mastered lots of really nice sequences and turns and Yordani also made sure I got out dancing in the evenings, when I was there on my own and feeling a bit shy. All the family and people involved in Experience the Real Cuba went that extra mile to make sure the experience was really good - it is more than just 'a business' and a fascinating way of seeing Cuban life. I thoroughly recommend it.

And Rena, you were so helpful and thorough in all the planning stages for my trip - thank you so much. It was your personal touch and good organisation that made me choose Experience the Real Cuba and I am so glad I did. It was a really rich experience and wonderful insight into Cuban life. I miss you all!

Barbara

Thank you very much Barbara for your amazing review.


EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

SHOULD I GO TO TRINIDAD CULTURAL WEEK?

CULTURA EN TRINIDAD

499 años de fundación de la villa La santísima Trinidad

A pesar de que este año se ahorraron recursos para celebrar en grande los próximos 500 años de la ciudad, con mis expectativas bien bajas me fui a la calle, ¡esta ciudad me sorprendió!, arte por doquier, música, pintura, artesanos de la Habana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara se acercan a la añeja villa para vender sus variados artículos, zapatos, ropas, bisutería hechos a mano por experimentados artistas, animando a los oriundos a comprar sus bellezas. Eventos que atraen a la juventud y a los no tan jóvenes, body art, música rock, en el patio de la casa de la cultura y en su plazoleta ensayos para lo que será en la noche el espectáculo afrocubano, en la plaza cultural música de los años 60/70 y en la calle Borrel Reggaeton y Salsa para los mas jóvenes, comida, piña colada, cerveza, una gran fiesta!!!

Otrora villa que abre sus brazos a Foráneos de todas partes de Cuba y del mundo, que vienen a disfrutar de esta semana cultural, mezclando las palmeras de las playas con la salsa y espectáculos nocturnos, noble, vieja y hermosa ciudad que no discrimina en raza, color, ni sexo; para ella, todos son bienvenidos. Disfrutemos entonces de sus bondades y cuidémosla para que nos reciba majestuosa y orgullosa otros 500 años más.  

Enero 2013

CULTURE IN TRINIDAD

499 years of the founding of the town's Holy Trinity

Although resources were saved this year in order to have a big party to celebrate the 500^th anniversary of the city, with my rather low expectations, I ventured out into the streets, and the city surprised me!  Art everywhere, music, painting, artisans from Havana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara came to this old town to sell their various items; shoes, clothes, handmade jewellery by experienced artists, encouraging the natives to buy their beauties. Events that attract young and the not so young; body art, rock music, in the courtyard of the Casa de la Cultura and in its square rehearsals for the evenings events; Afro-Cuban music, in the cultural square 60s/70s music and in Borrel Street, Reggaeton and Salsa for the young; food, piña coladas, beer, a great party!

A former village that opens its arms to outsiders from all over Cuba and the world, who come to enjoy this cultural week, mixing the palm trees on the beaches with Salsa and evening shows.  This noble, old and beautiful city does not discriminate against race, colour, or even gender, everyone is welcome. So let’s enjoy all of its marvels and take care of our beautiful city so that it can continue to serve us majestically and proudly for another 500 years.

January 2013

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

IS BODY ART BIG IN CUBA?

BODY ART TRINIDAD 2013

Hoy estuve en lo de Body Art, con la música rock muy fuerte y la calle del Casco Histórico tiene mucha vida, hay buen ambiente.  Esta noche tenemos un grupo que toca salsa de La Habana, “Alexander Abreu y Habana de primera” comienzan a las 12 de la noche, y en el cine/teatro estará para los niños Pentaklaos Habana, payasos, magos, malabaristas, para hacer reír.

Mañana son las premiaciones para el mejor tatuaje, hoy es la conferencia a las 2 de la tarde y un sorteo para un tatuaje gratis hecho por Francisco (uno de los mejores tatuadores) que también es jurado.  Los nombres de los artistas:

Livan, Carlos, Adrian, Guillermo, Yilber, Jose Francisco, Yoel, Victor, Odelky, David, Gabriel.

18 de enero 2013

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BODY ART TRINIDAD 2013

Today I went to the Body Art exhibition, rock music playing loudly, the historical centre was is full of life and an electrifying atmosphere. Tonight there is a group from Havana playing salsa, "Alexander Abreu y Habana de primera ", they begin at 12pm, and at the cinema there is a children’s show, Pentaklaos Habana, with clowns, magicians, jugglers, lots of fun, to make people laugh.

Tomorrow are the awards for the best tattoo.  Today at 2 pm there will be a draw for a free tattoo by Francisco (one of the best tattoo artists), who is also a judge.  The names of the artists are:

Livan Carlos Adrian, Guillermo, Yilber, Jose Francisco, Yoel, Victor, Odelky, David, Gabriel.

18th January 2013

EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA – SUPPORTING CUBAN BUSINESSES

Experience the Real Cuba offers Casas Particulares in Cuba as well as cultural activities and programs in Cuba supporting local Cuban private businesses.

To find out more about Casas in Cuba and our courses and programs (Spanish lessons, Dance lessons, Music lessons, Photography Experiences, Art & Pottery workshops) check out our website:

www.experiencetherealcuba.com

Ranses  y Michel ...Los chicos organisadores del evento - Trinidad, Cuba

Tienes sueño? Pues a me me duele carajo.....

Tierno y comico como Chaplin...

Exotica dama...

Sin comentarios....

Marilyn te amo, aunque me dueles hasta en la piel....

Me encanta el pescao y las mujeres....

Mi mas tierna fotografía...Mami te dolio?

Trinidad en mi piel.....

Soy el terror de tus noches...jajajaajaj....muerete

Cargo la muerte a mis espaldas....

Artista de tatuaje

Ni el lobo de crespusculo (Jacob) se compara conmigo

Oye socio, no tienes anestesia pa mi?

Si, si, si lo de internet me cuadra....

COMMENTS | EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA

Katie and Fi spent a couple of week with us, Experience The Real Cuba, in Trinidad, Learning Spanish in Cuba, living in a Casa Particular and having Salsa lessons. If you are unsure about whether to come to Trinidad or if you are curious to see whether they enjoyed their experience in Cuba, check out Katie's comments.  Hopefully this will make up your mind.

Thanks to Katie for sharing with us her experience in Cuba.

COMMENTS | EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA

Katie and Fi having a ball in Trinidad, Cuba

Falling for Cuba -- National Geographic Traveler

Falling for Cuba -- National Geographic Traveler

An article about el sabor de Cuba.