Cienfuegos - Friday
We started the day minus a few more due tho the Tourista. Still not me yet.
We went to the Botanical Garden to see the flora and fauna. This IS an National Geographic trip!!! There were lots of different trees and flowers. Lots of butterflies. No birds that we saw, but we did hear them. We almost saw a tarantula that Chris had tried to fish out of his hole in the ground.
We the proceeded to an old sugar plantation that had been converted to a town. This was the last plantation closed by the government in 2002. The old mansion is slowly being renovated and we saw some of its old splendor. Some of the old tax books and accounting books were on display. The people were warm except for one teenager who gladly posed for a picture for the Canadian in our group, but turned his back on the American.
Lunch was at least a buffet, so our plates were not overflowing.
After lunch we went into the town through the walking street to the central square. Very nice buildings from the late 1800's and early 20th century. In the square was to ubiquitous statue of Jose Marti (our National Hero). We went into a museum for a chamber orchestra concert of some wonderful musicians playing classical Cuban music. The spokesman communicated in excellent English and got us up doing the ChaCha. Of course, the obligatory CD sale. During the concert, the skies opened up with a deluge, with thunder and lightening. It was mostly finished when we got out. Most of us returned to the hotel; Ann remained to do some shopping. We were supposed to meet tonight with the CDR (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution), but it was felt that too many of our party was sick to justify it.
Stephen J. Rockower, MD
President, MedChi 2016-2017
The Maryland State Medical Society
Sent from my iPad
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