He looked at the sky and saw the white cumulus built like friendly piles of ice cream and high above were the thin feathers of the cirrus against the high September sky.”
That’s a line from Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. One can actually see the wispy the clouds in the sky while reading it.
In 1928, “Papa” Hemingway and his family set sail from their Florida home toward Spain. Along the way, they stopped in Havana, Cuba and stayed for three days. Well, it was more than enough for Hemingway. He had fallen madly in love with Cuba.
Four years later, in 1932, Hemingway came back and brought along a few friends, one of which was a master fisherman who showed him how to catch fish. He loved it so much, he purchased a fishing boat and returned the next year. He even wrote an article entitled, “Marlin off the Morro: A Cuban Letter.” It was published in Esquire Magazine in 1933. You can read it at: www.esquire.com/sports/a49248/marlin-off-the-morro/
In 1940, Hemingway and his new wife purchased a home in Havana and named the property “Finca Vigia,” which means or “lookout house.” The two lived there along with their many cats for the next twenty years. While living at Finca Vigia, he wrote his most acclaimed works, The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bells Toll.
Hemingway went on to become a renownedCuban regular, even after relations with the United States crumbled. He fished nearly every day, mingled with residents at local bars, and reported on goings on. He even asked the Cuban government to let him turn one of his boats into a fighting ship so he could defend the shores against German submarines.
In 1961, after Hemingway’s death, his possessions sadly ruined. Fortunately, however, the Cubans recently restored his home and the public can now see all his beloved souvenirs, hunting awards, personal artifacts, and majestic library. Hishome is now listed on both the World Monuments Fund list of the 100 Most Endangered Sites, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Places list.
Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel
Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel is a newly formed Cuban private travel agency. Its highly skilled professionals have extensive travel experience and are specifically trained on the latest travel techniques, practices, and procedures. It will show you Cuba in the best, possible manner.
The people of Cuba often say “Que Bolaa” to ask “what are you doing?” and “how are you going to have fun?” It means they are treating you like a close friend. And, that’s how Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel will treat you – as a friend.
The Hemingway Excursion
Experience Habana (Spanish for Havana) just as Papa Hemingway did during the twenty years he was most happy and productive. You’ll see the places he cherished, visit Habana’s historical center (World Heritage), and simply come to love, as he did, Cuba’s beauty, sounds, sights, and people.
The excursion includes:
• Room 511 in “Ambos Mundos Hotel,” where he wrote.
• The local bars in which he shared drinks with Cuban friends.
• A walk around Old Havana, which includes visits to the colonial squares, Central Park, the Catholic Cathedral, and Prado’s Drive.
• A visit to either a cigar or rum factory.
• An evening with either the “Buena Vista Social Club” or a concert at the Tropicana.
The Hemingway Excursion is only one of Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel’s ten top tours excursions.
Homestays
Homestays are rooms and/or homes that private citizens rent out to the public. They are a unique and cost-effective alternative to hotels, much like a Bread and Breakfast. In 1997, the Cuban government permitted citizens to rent out their properties.
Most people have a very positive experience with a Homestay. The homes were neat and clean and their host family treated them very well and provided inside information about Cuba. Some provided delicious food, as well. Accommodations vary. Some simply offered a small room and shared bathroom, kitchen, and everything else, while others offered entire homes with private pools. It simply depends. And, costs are determined by the owner and room size and length of stay. Accommodations were arranged through the Internet and such is where you can read reviews and learn about potential homes.
Homestays can be identified by a symbol - a white square with two blue triangles. Such indicates that the home is registered with the government.
Qué Bolaa Cuba Travel can also arrange private roundtrips Cuba, cubaroundtrips, and tours, and excursion two days Habana.
No comments:
Post a Comment