Taylor Petersen
Wednesday was a day free for independent exploration in Havana! As we are nearing the end of our time in Havana, every moment is precious. Many different people pursued something related to their interests or perhaps gathered some more information for their Independent Learning Project. I chose to explore the neighborhood around our casas particulares (host families) by visiting a local bakery and returned to the Hotel Nacional de Cuba (The National Hotel of Cuba) to conduct some independent exploration.
The local bakery I visited was located about two blocks from our apartment building, called El Biky. This bakery typically has a line of out of the door to enter! There was a variety of yummy sweet and savory treats to purchase for very reasonable prices. One stand out favorite of mine was the Chocolate Croissant, for 0.85 CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos). This converts out to just under $1.00 (after the 13% tax and fees when exchanging from USD to CUC).
After visiting the bakery, I ventured to the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, a prominent historical and political landmark in Havana. The history of the Hotel is so fascinating. There was even a battle that took place at the Hotel (The Battle of the Hotel Nacional) in 1933! Nowadays, you can find a few peacocks roaming the grounds of the Hotel and grab a refreshing beverage on the patio facing the ocean. Several famous guests have stayed at
the Hotel including Frank Sinatra, Walt Disney, Winston Churchill, and Marlon Brando – just to name a few! As a future leader, it was interesting to connect the multitude of leadership styles from Cuba's history and how it impacts the operational focus of the Hotel.
Hasta pronto, USA! See you soon!