WORD OF MOUTH
CRONICLE OF A TRIP TO TRINIDAD
Hello Magaly & Raúl, here the " piece " from our travel that still are very present in our memory.
We landed with Cubana Airline at the Aeropuerto José Martí of Havana, to find Magaly and Raúl who we met on the Internet.
We stay in their casa and we know then: they are our first Cuban friends.
Taking rum and listening to music, they recount very interesting episodes of Cuban history. Raúl's strong laugh accompanies us to bed.
What Raúl didn't tell us was this: In this dry season of January 2001 rain falls almost permanently!
Looking for the caribbean climate as a change to the German winter, on the third day we buy a ticket to Trinidad. While travelling we dream constantly of the heat and of the atmosphere of the caribbean and finally:
We find the sun of Trinidad - and Manuel with his smile. He offers us a room in his house with his family - what luck!
. He is a sculptor and he works carefully on a very interesting wooden figure that he will complete exactly as we leave his place.
We live in a street that soon disturbs our routine.
The life beats in the street - but in a very different and very nice way.
The people cultivate social contacts from one side to the other, from the street to the garden, from the car to the bedroom, from the kitchen to the street...
During the excursions I met Gregorio who showed me his Trinidad in a very personal way.
Walking only three blocks he frequently greets and kisses many friends, youths and old men, girls and boys - according to my impression maybe hundreds - and always with a simple smile. I think: he has in his heart the sun of Trinidad.
The other day Rafael crossed my road - riding a horse.
It didnt take long before we fixed the hour for a horse ride next day.
He is a guide that knows the surroundings of Trinidad like his vest pocket. The whole day I enjoy the beautiful landscape and the conversation with Rafael who tells me of country life. He promises to lend me his horse whenever I want because he trusts me with it. I ride this way and that, to the sea shore, swimming, hunting butterflies with the camera, conversing with people: an unforgettable pleasure.
Well - we all know: since 1988 Trinidad has been a world heritage site and those tourist guidebooks are right to eulogize the historical wealth of the city - but for us its value is present at another level.
The city is the Garden of Eden for Latin music. 70 groups of different styles entertain fans from morning until the dawn in different places. Mambo, Chachacha and Cuban Salsa dominate all the senses - including ours.
The whole scene is a sensation for the listeners - almost a musical delirium.
Then we meet many members of different groups and we are part of a kind of family. During a performance by our friends The Cuevas Band, a man appears that gets my attention. The locals note him with all respect. Then taking some rum for his " circulation " he joins the group singing and dancing hot rhythms - and hotter rhythms. A fantastic joy of life shines in his eyes. My neighbor explains to me: he comes directly from a tour of Italy - his nickname is "Sweet Coconut" - he is... 83 years old! Another Cuban mystery, I think.
Well friend - these they are only some impressions - its worthwhile! But: not all the Cuban specialties have good flavour. If you want to know something more: you have to read another chronicle.
P.S.: Some photos to document several scenes of Trinidad life.
Erwin Lindner
I finish with strong hugs for you Marja-Liisa & Erwin
PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*PHOTOS*
Click on the picture to bring it closer
Some photos to document several scenes of Trinidad life.