Kayla Warner
Today was our first independent exploration day! We've been in Cuba a week now and have attended many different lectures and site visits. Today was an opportunity to follow up with areas we have been exposed but would like to further experience or explore new places of interest.
My day began with a trip to Habana Vieja (Old Havana). We visited the plaza in the morning. It is about two miles from where we are staying in Vedado with our host families. We have been spoiled with wonderful weather (cloudy and mid-70s) until today when we experienced our first major rainfall lasting from about 9am-11am (the entire 45-minute walk into town).
Our first stop with classmates led us to a gorgeous coffee shop where we indulged in specialty coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh coffee beans. We, of course, didn't leave before enjoying a few different coffee drinks and slices of chocolate cake. After the rain seized, we headed over to the brewery for live music. This reminded me of back home in the United States with the many local brewery options. I got to enjoy great conversation with classmates discussing highlights of our lectures and various site visits across Havana thus far. After the brewery, we headed for a late lunch at a restaurant called Teniente Rey 360 we visited as a class on our first day in Old Havana. I had my favorite meal of ropa vieja (seasoned shredded beef with peppers), black rice (rice cooked with black beans), and veggies.
We then headed to the Gran Teatro de la Habana near the capital for the Cuban ballet to perform Swan Lake. It was absolutely INCREDIBLE and a once in a lifetime experience. !Muy elegante! After the ballet, we headed to Hotel Inglaterra to enjoy dinner and my favorite appetizer, croquetas, before heading back to Vedado. It was the perfect day navigating the city, exploring and experiencing Cuban culture, and appreciating the strong performing arts of Cuba.
Our next independent exploration day will consist of learning more about the history, cultural significance of croquetas, how to make croquetas, and the cultural context of food and family as highly valued within the Cuban culture as it relates and can better inform us as future leaders.