Captivating Cuba

Hello,

After reading Jasna's blog on delicious Cuban cuisine, many people are asking us where they can sample it for themselves.

Well in Havana my favourite Cuban restaurant is La Bodeguita del Medio, this restaurant is known throughout the island for its incredible food, delectable Mojitos and unique décor. Since it opened in 1942, guests have been encouraged to carve their names on the ceiling or anywhere in which they can find a space. However, with clientele that includes politicians, artists and celebrities, it's worth having a look around to see if you can spot any famous graffiti. I like this restaurant as it has a traditional Cuban atmosphere and you can pretty much expect live music on most nights.

The Ranchon El Bajareque is an unusual restaurant that I often recommend to people who are looking for something different on their Cuban holiday. The restaurant is located in Havana and all the meats used are traditionally Cuban. This means that you can tuck into dishes such as roast crocodile with frijoles, or even deer and locally caught octopus.

In the resort of Varadero, the romantic Tocororo is always a good place to impress a date. The restaurant is known for its awe-inspiring sunsets over the nearby Mangon Lagoon, and the sharer plates are perfect for wining and dining that special someone.

Well, all this talk of Cuban cuisine is making my stomach rumble. I'm currently working in sunny London, but I shall be popping down to the South Bank tonight to tuck into Congri Santiago and drink countless Pepino Mojitos at Cubana; my favourite Cuban restaurant outside of Cuba.

Peter

posted at: 10:56 | path: /peter | permanent link to this entry | 1 comments

Hello,

I hope that everyone had a Happy Easters, or as we say in Cuba 'Feliz Pascual'.

Easter and Good Friday are both standard working days in Cuba, but one particularly important tradition that took place last week concerns the humble palm leaf.

Most of the houses and even the cars have giant palm leafs now hanging in their windows and on the island we call these guanos. These leaves have been blessed by the local priest and are used as an amulet, to keep our homes and families safe. We will leave them hanging until we are given another one during Easter time next year.

Some Cubans burn their guano during powerful storms to ask God to protect them, whilst others will place their guanos under the mattress of a sick child or family member.

With this is in mind, I thought I'd come on here and tell you of some more superstitions that we observe in Cuba.

On Good Friday, you wouldn't have seen any Cuban's swimming in the sea, as we believe that if anyone takes to the water on this holy day then they'll sprout fins and turn into a fish.

Twelve seconds before midnight on New Year's Eve the most important thing for a Cuban to do is eat 12 grapes. This may seem like a very strange tradition but the twelve grapes represent the 12 months of the year and so managing to eat all 12 means prosperity for every month of the year.

A pregnant woman should never give into any of her cravings, and if she wants a particular food then someone must go and get it for her straight away. If this doesn't happen then her baby will be born with a mark on its body resembling that food.

Of course, when a baby is born you should never touch its head, unless of course you are very close family. You would pat your family dogs head and so this is a very disrespectful way to act around a new baby. We actually believe that it is so disrespectful that you can only be cursing the new child or giving it bad blood.

Some of these traditions may seem a little strange to you, but in turn we think that is strange that in England, you say 'white rabbits' at the beginning of every month and think that black street cats are lucky!

Adios for now,

Hector

posted at: 18:28 | path: /hector | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments

I ask you, have you ever stayed a night in a palace?

After my travels around Cuba, I can't help thinking back on how distinctive the hotels look. I'm proud of our buildings in Cuba. They have style and I'm happy that they are open for the world to enjoy as hotels.

I'll start with the famous Nacional Hotel in Havana. It is all about size. It is a favourite treasured building in Cuba, it leans over you when you stand there. From the Nacional you can see a long way out to sea, looking over the waterfall fountains.

The Colon Hotel in the old quarter of Camaguey is amazing to look at, too. It is all turquoise. This might not be good for everyone, but I think it is fun and unique. And I know some of you will like it. The walls outside and inside, the stone pillars and the balconies are all painted bright turquoise. Different, for sure! You will not see a building like that everywhere.

It you like castles, the Hotel El Castillo in Baracoa is a real old Spanish fortress in Baracoa that has been made into a hotel. It is located on a hill with a view of the bay and everything around.

But if I get to choose where I stay, my choice of building would be Beltran De Santa Cruz. This building is almost a secret. It is hidden near the Plaza Vieja, in Havana. Inside it feels graceful and intimate. Here you can stay where King Philippe I of France stayed before he was king. So that makes this hotel a palace, yes? Remembering this hotel made me want to talk to you about palaces.

I hope I helped you find a palace that you will like in Cuba.

Jasna

Image 1 creative commons, Flickr, LuRoGo; Image 2 creative commons, Flickr, Egretta777; Image 3 creative commons, Flickr, Jakeo

posted at: 11:22 | path: /jasna | permanent link to this entry | 2 comments