Tuesday was primarily a day of much travel, as we packed into the bus for the long trek from our beautiful hotel in Havana to the more rural country side of Cienfuegos. Along our journey, we made a few stops to various places that showcased the true nationality and artistic culture of Cuba. Our first stop was at the Korimacao Community Project in Playa Larga. The projects mission is to essentially provide a safe haven for young, talented artists of all specialties, ranging from visual artists to singers, dancers, and instrumentalists. Welcoming a variety of ages, artists who inhabit the center receive cultural training free of charge and spend their days indulging in the development of their art. Art to Cuba is more than a source of entertainment, but rather a symbol for their pride. It was humbling to see the great passion and care that each individual invested within their craft. Whether it was channeling political messages or making social statements, Cuban art always has a purpose behind it. Following a tour of the vicinity, we traveled for about thirty more minutes to the restaurant Punta Perdiz, by Playa Girón, where we were met with a beautiful ocean, perfect for pictures and a little touristic break. We had an delicious lunch by the beach, and then continued our journey to Cienfuegos. The night was culminated with a trip to watch a local band, Los Naranjos, bless us with an arrangement of traditional Cuban music and popular songs of the town. Some of us had enough rhythm to salsa on the dance floor while others attempted their best to keep up with the upbeat tempo of the music. Tuesday showcased the importance of Cuban art to its identity; not only as an outlet of creative expression, but also a beacon of national dignity.
-Shakaa
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