Atypical –

8/21- a series – Sam, an 18-year-old on the autistic spectrum as he searches for love and independence. While Sam is on his funny yet emotional journey of self-discovery, the rest of his family must grapple with change in their own lives as they all struggle with the central theme: what does it really mean to be normal?

Q-tips say: Yes, see it. beautiful show, celebrating difference, adaptability and an open-hearted approach to life. Mrs. Q says: It’s a must watch for anyone looking for a representation of autism.

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Cigarette/Cigar pkg. ads in Cuba

Cigarette/Cigar pkg. ad in Cuba – compare their ads to our ads in the US. Very explicit photos on packaging.

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Q’s trip to Cuba in 2017

in 2017 –

GENERAL INFO – CUBA -Always ask if they will charge to take photos – on your tours the tour guide will mention it or just ask.  They DO charge to take photos in Cienfuegos-  inside of the Teatro Thomas Terry. So be sure you really want that photo.

If you know Spanish, great! You don’t have to but just a few words such as Gracias (Thank you), De Nada (no problem, or you are welcome) goes a long way and usually is met with a smile. And Banos – bathroom. (More about Banos later.)

Mrs. Q’s tips: DO NOT drink the water or eat anything with ice involved. Drink only bottled water. Ask if the water on your ship is ok to drink otherwise, insist on bottled water. Learn these phrases:  Agua con gas – Sparkling (bottled) water or ask for bottle beer  not tap (lagers –  Cristal Bucanero & Mayabe.) Coffee: Cafe Americano (milder brew).  Rum – if you are a rum drinker, this is the place for you (try the 7 yr. (Anejo Reserva) – you might like it better than your single malt scotch.  Cuba recently began to create their own wine – don’t drink it, go for the the wine like Chianti, etc. from different regions other than Cuba. Dining: Don’t come to Cuba for Fine Dining – there is none.  IT IS BEST TO SAVE ALL YOUR EATING & DRINKING FOR THE SHIP. 

DO NOT EAT/DRINK FROM LOCAL STREET VENDORS & YES, small domesticated dogs and cats roam the streets freely.

After all that drinking/eating, you need to know this phrase:

  BANOS – bathroom.

Yes, toilets are dismal, most do not have a seat just a bowl, not as clean as in the US and not very plentiful and don’t forget to bring your own toilet paper (Kleenex or baby wipes), it is usually not readily available in the toilets. Some places have a roll of toilet paper outside of the toilet but want a donation to use it. They don’t charge to use the toilet like in some European countries.

The best of Cuba Trip on Celestyal Crystal ship from Legendary Journeys.  We arrived early as to enjoy a day in Montego Bay before boarding our ship and will end your trip at the end in Montego Bay to fly to the airport.  Yes, you do need a visa & passport. If traveling w/ a cruise line, they will get the visa and keep it on the boat & give it to you for leaving & boarding the ship.  Cruise? YES, but do not deal with  Sheila Monahan, Legendary Journeys – read on-line reviews of Legendary Journeys before choosing them. The food and entertainment on LJ was good & always get a “drink pkg”.  There are other cruise lines such as MSC.  Our last transfer from the ship to the airport, which was to be included, never came despite many phone calls. We took a cab to the airport which was $10. pp. DO NOT DEAL with Sheila Monahan from Legendary Journeys from the Sarasota Fl office – she does not return phone calls and the main office number always seems to to have a full mail box – you never get a return call after they get your money.

Mrs. Q sent a very pointed email – cc: to Sheila Monahan and the main office of “customer service” and then got a response from Sheila.

Our ship gave their guests a $50.00 p.p. on board credit to use as you please. So use it. Don’t forfeit that opportunity. Use it to pay for your internet, your drinks, or buy something from the “Duty Free” gift shop.  Our ship had 4 restaurants which you can eat for any meal.  Two were large buffets and two were sit down meals. The food is all the same at all the buffets. The exception is the evening meal which offers an official Cuban entree along with other items which changes every day. They post the menus outside the restaurants.

Things to think about before going: REMEMBER:  Cubans do not make a lot of money.  There are pesty pan-handlers all around trying to sell you fake items, take you to the best restaurants, hotels, & women for you to spend the night with, etc. Men, don’t get excited, they really DO NOT think you are the best thing these women have ever seen – they are only after your $$$$$$. This pertains to women also. Cuban women are used to workers whistling/cat calls, etc. but US women should just ignore this and is best to just politely say: NO and keep moving or say, “No me gusta.” (No, I don’t like). It is also suggested that women don’t dress suggestively or wear skimpy outfits. (However,  the group we went with is beyond wearing skimpy, suggestive clothing even tho some might like to think they look good but….) Mrs. Q says, “no women in our group received any whistles, etc.  Mrs. Q encountered a pesty man trying to sell a cab ride.  After saying “NO” many times, Mrs. Q finally said, “NO ME GUSTA” then he finally gave up.   Cuba is aware of this problem and in big cities like Havana placed police officers on corners.(However, the pest pan-handles seem to leave people in tour groups alone more than if you are by yourselves.  1. In general, Cuba has a poor record on gay/lesbian rights, while improving, the levels of homophobia & rejection of gays/lesbians is high. Also dread locks and people of color (Mrs. Q doesn’t understand their phrase, people of color, since 70% of the people in Santiago de Cuba are black) might be pulled over and checked more often. 2. Seniors: Cuba is a comfortable destination for seniors.  They are treated with respect. However, you will be lumped into the rich foreigner category and gouged as much as possible, like all the rest. 3. American money is widely accepted – MasterCard/Visa (in some places and definitely are accepted on the cruise ship) and American dollars but not loose change. Am. Express – no. Contact your bank and see if your credit card is accepted in Cuba. When you dock, their is usually a place to exchange your American dollars to the CUC.

Our ship gave their guests a $50.00 p.p. on board credit to use as you please. So use it. Don’t forfeit that opportunity. Use it to pay for your internet, your drinks, or buy something from the “Duty Free” gift shop.  Our ship had 4 restaurants which you can eat for any meal.  Two were large buffets and two were sit down meals. The food is all the same at all the buffets. The exception is the evening meal which offers an official Cuban entree along with other items which changes every day. They post the menus outside the restaurants.

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Cuban Dance – street performers/performers

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Cuban Dancers – photos of various street dancers/performers

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Dancers in Cienfuegos

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Cuban Mural Art & Comical Art

Comical murals

Comical ?Art murals

Note: the comical Art paintings are all Republican Presidents.

 

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Comical Art?

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Photos of Cuban Homes

Photos of Cuban homes – Home Sweet Home!  – notice those homes that look vacant or empty or in real need of repair, they are not all empty or abandoned – people are living in them –  you can usually tell by the clothes drying over the rails. As always, location, location and what you can afford in what neighborhood.

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Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba – Our morning started with a tour (4 hour bus tour – some walking included).  NOTE:  The streets and sidewalks are uneven in Cuba and not paved like in the US so wear very comfortable walking/gym shoes.

Loma de San Juan – This is the site of the only land battle of the Spanish-American War, where on July 1, 1898, Teddy Roosevelt and his rough riders supposedly led a victorious cavalry charge against the Spanish. Then we drove through the city and passed the University of Oriente  and visited the former Moncada Barracks, Revolution Square and El Morro Castle  built at the end of the 17th century.

Afternoon:  A talk about the national drink, rum.  Rum tasting after the talk. (Unfortunately, Mrs. Q is not a rum drinker but did try it.  It is an educational trip) Then, if you wanted, you can learn to Salsa (the dance, not the food item).  Evening: Learn to Rumba, if you wish.

Revolution_Square

Revolution Square

After dinner: An evening performance from Cuban dancers/entertainers and then we went to the top lounge and had our nightcap and enjoyed the peace and quiet and talk over our day.

EL Morro Castle Santiago de Cuba

El Morro Castle

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Cuban CARS & Transportation

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Cuban Police officer

Cuban Cars & Transportation

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Most well maintained old cars are Taxis – owned by a Co., not the government. They get their parts from Russia.

 

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Cuban – Coco Taxi….. HEY TAXI!

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Real Cuban car w/ real Cuban people

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Cubans waiting for a bus

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Cuban bus – rarely on-time, crowded and  naturally air conditioned

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Another way to travel

 

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Another mode of transportation

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Dream Horse

7/21 – The film tells the inspiring true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely race horse bred by small town bartender, Jan Vokes (Academy Award® nominee Toni Collette). With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream and compete with the racing elites. Their investment pays off as Dream rises through the ranks and becomes a beacon of hope in their struggling community.

Q-tips say: Yes, see it. Great, fun, upbeat, feel good movie.

Mrs. Q says: A feel good movie & this is a character-driven movie and the horse is not the main character.

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No Sudden Moves

7/21- Set in 1954 Detroit, NO SUDDEN MOVE centers on a group of small-time criminals who are hired to steal what they think is a simple document. When their plan goes horribly wrong, their search for who hired them — and for what ultimate purpose — weaves them through all echelons of the race-torn, rapidly changing city.

Q-tips say: The Mr. really liked this movie more than the Mrs.

Mrs. Q says: The movie was just ok. Sometimes watching movies, when you are married, is like deciding what the house thermostat should be set.

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