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

loma de san juan

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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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FOUND

Found. (2020) - Plot Summary Poster

7/9/21- “Found” is the story of an innocent teenage boy raised up in the Appalachian Mountains on a small old fashioned homestead devoid of modern conveniences and tucked away from the broader culture at large. Through a sudden tragedy, he suddenly finds himself cast out, alone and adrift into our high-speed, hi-tech modern world until he meets a troubled family who takes him into their home for better or for worse. 

Q-tips say: Mrs. Q enjoyed this movie. The other half not so much. Mrs. Q enjoyed the interaction between the married wife & husband. Enjoyed the way the parents interacted with their children & the the “Found” teenage boy. Especially enjoyed the relationship between the family’s son & the innocent teenage “Found” boy evolved.

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Furama

6/30/21- 4936 N Broadway St Chicago – (773) 271-1161, furamachicago.com

Took our building’s “shuttle” to the Furama area. Walked around the “hood” a bit and then off to dinner. The Q’s have not been to Furama in a while. We enjoy their “Dim Sum.”

Many different small plates to enjoy. We did enjoy most of them.

Photo of Furama Restaurant - Chicago, IL, United States. Vegetable Fun Roll
Vegetable roll
Photo of Furama Restaurant - Chicago, IL, United States
Photo of Furama Restaurant - Chicago, IL, United States. Sesame balls
Sesame Balls
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Heaven is real

Connor Corum as Colton in "Heaven Is for Real."

6/26/21 – Small-town businessman, pastor and volunteer firefighter Todd Burpo (Greg Kinnear) and his wife, Sonja (Kelly Reilly), are struggling to make ends meet during a tough year. After their young son, Colton (Connor Corum), undergoes emergency surgery, Todd and Sonja are overjoyed at the child’s miraculous recovery. However, the Burpos are unprepared for what happens next — Colton says that he went to heaven and back, and tells his parents things that he couldn’t possibly know.

Q-tips say: See it. What a nice change from some of the crap that they show now a days.

Mrs. Q says: The movie is based off the book Heaven Is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back written by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent, published in 2010. The movie begins with seeing the life of the child and his family. This family’s son becomes sick and when in surgery, goes to heaven or has an out of body experience. People do not believe Colton’s story and people judge the family. This family has to deal with parenting their children in the “public eye.”

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Paper Spiders

6/23/21 – Dawn recently lost her husband and experiences growing anxiety as her daughter Melanie plans to move away for college. An argument with a hostile new neighbor aggravates Dawn’s mental condition, and she begins to show signs of paranoid delusions. Melanie attempts a series of interventions, but challenging Dawn’s reality of persecution threatens to destroy their loving relationship. Melanie is forced to make the toughest of choices as she struggles to support her mother on the path toward recovery and healing. A bittersweet story about coming of age in the shadow of mental illness.

Q-tips say: Paper Spiders finds a way to open our eyes and our hearts to better comprehend the need for education, services, and neighbors to look out for one another.

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Blue Miracle –

6/22/21 – To save their cash-strapped orphanage, a guardian and his kids partner with a washed-up boat captain for a chance to win a lucrative fishing competition.

Q-tips say: Yes, see it. Nice story that includes the youngsters & their relationship with the couple who care for them & others. Mrs. Q says: When the critics rate it low, usually the audience likes it. The critics are not always right. Actors: Dennis Quaid & Bruce McGill.

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Pinstripes Rest.

6/22/21 – Pinstripes – 1150 Willow Rd Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 480-2323, pinstripes.com

Q – Tips say: First time visit: Decided to try Pinstripes on the way home from the Chgo. Botanical Gardens. Nice place that offers outdoor/indoor eating & bowling & bocce Ball. The music is a tad loud in some areas, but you can find a table inside or outdoors with quieter seating.

Drinks were ok. We shared the complimentary bread – which was good with pesto oil on the side. Mrs. Q had the Turkey Sandwich & a cup of the Chicken Dumpling soup. The Mr. had Sal’s Salami Sandwich & a cup of Chicken Dumpling Soup. Sandwiches are big, each Q took 1/2 of a sandwich home.

Everything was ok but we don’t think we would make a special trip to eat at Pinstripes unless we are in the neighborhood. Did not ask if we could order from the Dinner menu while it was a late Lunch Menu visit.

Photo of Pinstripes - Northbrook, IL, United States. Dining area
Indoor seating
Photo of Pinstripes - Northbrook, IL, United States. Outdoor Patio Seating
Outdoor seating
Photo of Pinstripes - Northbrook, IL, United States. Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Photo of Pinstripes - Northbrook, IL, United States. Small... but very nice!
Bowling
Photo of Pinstripes - Northbrook, IL, United States
Bocce
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