In the afternoon we took a loooooooooong camione (truck converted for people transport) ride....
...about $1.25 for three of us...to visit Ivan's parents (Amanda and Rodolfo - the latter an upholsterer who must work miracles with the sewing machine and other tools in this photo).
They had just returned from a visit with Ivan's family in the US and so we were joined by another houseful of folks, including two college kids on whom D pounced for an English lesson. We returned via even cheaper transport (public bus) for 1 peso (about 8 cents each. At the bus stop I peeked into a rather grand, and mostly empty, public building, and found these folks putting it to some use, playing dominoes in a cavernous hallway.
The house we're staying in was started by Ivan's grandfather, Alberto Raymond Gonzalez...
who was also an artist, and quite prolific, judging by the many paintings that appear in all the relatives' houses, and the murals throughout Ivan's house...
The thing in the trees is a switch box on the wall that he likely painted around.
D is facing exhaustion trying to keep up with the rapid-fire Spanish and I'm tired of being the village idiot, understanding nearly nothing, so we're starting the tourist trail in Havana tomorrow.
The stereotype of Cuban diversity is certainly valid, but my strongest impression so far is how kind and caring these folks are toward each other, and I'm feeling gratitude that they have included us in that - we've never been kissed so often, or so genuinely (loud smacks).
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Quivican
Amazing stuff! Love you guys!
ReplyDelete