Blog

You are here

share  

Apr

25

Our Girl in Havana: The Antiques of Trinidad

‘Antique’ doesn’t have quite the same significance in Cuba. There is an abundance of antiquity in this country for many reasons, but certainly years of economic hardship and trade constraints contributed to a make-do-and-mend culture that has kept everyday items in circulation longer than in other places. Fifty-year-old American Buicks are passed down through generations patched up with Chinese parts and perfectly preserved dinner sets from the 1800s are still in daily use.


Jun

13

Playing Chess in Cuba

World record for the most people playing chess simultaneously? Check. Fidel Castro vs. Bobby Fischer? Check. Home of the “Human Chess Machine” and one of the greatest players of all time? Check. Che Guevara once said “Naturally, chess is a hobby, but it is also a teacher of reason, and the countries that have good chess teams also lead the world in other more important spheres”. According to chess.com, Cuba is currently ranked 20th in the world. About a decade ago, the training of chess professors with a university degree began, and there are around one thousand of them in Cuba today.

Apr

07

Yank Tanks

When you think about traveling to Cuba, there are few more iconic or easily recognizable symbols of the island than the Yank Tank. Has anyone wondered just why there are so many classic American cars in Cuba? Or even more curious – how on earth they are still in one piece!? To investigate this mystery, insightCuba flew me to Havana and gave me the keys to a ‘57 Chevy. My mission was to drive throughout Cuba in search of answers. Then I woke up and did some research.

Apr

07

Spotlight on Cuban Culture: Exploring Santería

InsightCuba participants may have the opportunity to visit areas like the spiritual city of Guanabacoa located just outside of Havana, or the sizzling cultural city of Santiago de Cuba. While there, you are likely to experience an aspect of Cuban culture that is frequently seen but rarely understood by travelers. During one of our people-to-people programs, you may even get to meet a Santería practioner face-to-face. I hope this short introduction to the Santería faith will give you something to talk about.

Pages