While you were writing ...

When I left for Cuba, it was winter.

When I came back from Cuba,

it was wet and cold - 

typical post-winter

or pre-spring

in the Lou

depending on how optimistic you're feeling.

 But while I was writing about Cuba,

re-living all the highlights,

spring burst forth in all its glory.

And it's magnificent!

 

 

 

 

Viburnum, lilacs and dogwood are right around the corner ...

stay tuned.

Art in Cuba

I'm not an artist.

I've gotten better about accepting 

that I can color outside the lines, 

attempt to create something 

and have Epic Fails.

 I have nothing but admiration for folks

in every country

who take visions in their heads 

and translate those images through canvas or clay;

who put themselves out there,

saying "here's how I see things,

love it or hate,

it's my view of the world

in this moment and time".

I was curious to see how the creative spark was encouraged 

or repressed 

in Cuba;

how art flourished

 and in what form 

when so much of human expression is forbidden.

I knew a piece of artwork was the only souvenir I'd bring back

to remember my time in Cuba.

 

 I expected color

and, since its what I prefer,

naive or unschooled artists. 

While there were many galleries and museums 

offering all kinds of visions

in all types of mediums,

 

 

 

 

 many of the offerings for tourist consumption seemed formulaic.

 Take a car from the 50's,

stick it in front of a historic building

and paint it in primary colors.

Modern day paint by numbers.

Which is why finding some alternative artists was so much fun.

One artist in Cienfuegos took striking medieval images

and techniques,

added bits of contemporary culture 

and created paintings that provoked and delighted

in equal measure.

 

  

Other artists ran the gamete

 

 

 

Some artists were even brave enough 

to take on political themes -

even publicly.

 

There were several pieces I would have brought home in a heartbeat - 

if price or size weren't limitations.

The ones that got away ...

 

But don't feel too badly for me.

I brought home the impressionist sunflowers

at the beginning of the post

as well as

I was instantly attracted to it - 

without being able to say why;

until I got home and had more time to look at it closely.

That's when I figured it out.

It's my career!

The big four footed creature,

forging ahead, 

trying hard to ignore  - 

not a dangling carrot that keeps her going -

but yet another child that needs to be freed...

should be good for several sessions 

with my therapist!

This collage also made it back to the States

and it's not hard to figure out the meaning at all!

Truly, there was something for everyone.

 

Because so many Saturdays are Holy Saturdays

Last day in Cuba

Can you tell I'm reluctant to leave the island?

The days had gone by too quickly;

time to explore new places

with new friends 

had been too short.

Returning to work was right around the corner...

but not yet.

Time for one more performance by young folk dancers

and more beauty to see in Cienfuegos 

before getting on the plane.

Confession:

I might have gotten the timing wrong on when we saw this set of dancers.

I think we saw them the night before;

I suspect you don't care 

about the correct sequencing  of events,

you just want a sense of what I saw, right?

Thanks.

The key to enjoying another country is flexibility!

There were still more sights to see.

 There may have been another mojito involved.

 

 More reminders that it's not all tourism

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cuba didn't want us to leave either -

there was a delay of several hours once we got to the airport;

the result of our charter plane being delayed in Miami.

I think Cuba just wanted to give us one more sunset

 and the chance to practice our patience 

and flexibility some more!

Clearly some of us are better at that than others.

 My time in Cuba did, sadly, come to an end. 

That won't stop me from looking back

however

 and planning another trip back.

There's still too much else that beckons -

other beaches,

Santiago de Cuba,

a better understanding of Yorbu-Afro Cuban spirituality

and practices ...

 they're neighbors -

and it's always good to know your neighbors!

One more post this weekend about artistic expression in Cuba -

and pictures of some of the art I didn't bring back -

and some images of what I did.

Thanks for being with me as I re-visit this lovely island!