January 6th marked our fifth day in Cuba, where we would not only get to dive into one of Havana’s largest markets, but also get to explore the beaches in Guanabo. The day started off like most others up to this point with an early breakfast around 7:30. With the typical breakfast at the residence we were staying at consisting of scrambled eggs, fresh fruits(papaya, plantains, and guava), toast, jams, and coffee. By 9:30 we boarded the bus to head to our first destination.

Almacenes San Jose Artisans’ Market

At 10 am we arrived at the Almacenes San Jose Artisans’ Market, a large two story warehouse filled with artisan goods and products. There we were given one hour to explore the market, and purchase any souvenirs. The market was divided into two sections, the first floor was filled with small shops selling anything from magnets to hand carved domino sets, while the second floor had an art market with paintings spanning the whole way. While most of the group started off on the first floor, haggling for the various knickknacks, I made a beeline straight to the art section. When walking through the first floor, the vendors would try to grab your attention, promising you the best deals and that they had the perfect product for you. But since they knew we were tourists, almost all of the vendors would initially try to sell something to you at the highest price possible. These inflated prices however were still extremely cheap by American standards so some people paid up front. Others however, mastered the art of haggling, getting something down from 10$ to 2$, and ending up with a large haul of goods as a result. Another thing to note of the first floor was that for every kiosk that sold something hand made, there was always another nearby selling magnets made in China. So like any good market, the products you got were as good as the wit you brought with you. But I was on a mission, I wanted to see if I could make my very first art acquisition, so the second floor is where I ended up.

There, large stands overflowed with paintings, creating countless rows of art that seemed to never end. Each stand had its own unique style and artist behind it, but typically a broker would be selling the paintings. The art consisted of everything from post-modern abstracts to a 200$ portrait of LeBron James. Me however, being the indecisive person I am, wandered the floor for 55 minutes unable to decide what piece spoke to me. There I found a small abstract painting that was a bit larger than my hand. I was presented with a price of 10$ and the opportunity to haggle, but given the little time I had left and the state of the Cuban economy, I chose to pay in full. I left satisfied knowing that although it was a purchase made under a time crunch, it was one I would cherish for many years to come. After that our hour at the market had come to a close and we boarded the bus for our second destination.

Guanabo Seaside Excursion

After a 40 minute journey to our destination, we arrived at a stunning seaside home in Guanabo, where we would be staying for the remainder of the afternoon. On top of being directly on the beach, the home also featured a pool and expansive lounge area. But before we could go sprinting off into the ocean we had an important lecture to attend. We gathered in the main dining area, and there a Cuban marine biologist taught us about the impacts of global warming on Cuba. In specific coral reefs and mangroves were some of the main talking points. It was highlighted how in recent years these areas, which had acted as sanctuaries for marine life, had been in rapid decline due to pollution and rising global temperatures. But there was a positive note to this lecture. Along with emphasizing the environmental decline being experienced, the lecturer also outlined some of Cuba’s environmental policy that has been put in place to combat it. As of now, 30% of all coastal land and beaches in Cuba is considered environmentally protected, and as such pollution in these areas is heavily policed. This, along with other policies put in place, has actually caused there to be an increase in the amount of fish seen in certain parts of Cuba. After the lecture we were treated to a bountiful lunch of lobster tail, fried plantains, beans, rice, marinated pork, chicken, and assorted vegetables. Although delicious, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about having such a feast in a nation with food scarcity. After lunch we had a few hours to dive into the ocean and take in the scenery. I spent some of the time collecting coral and sea glass I found on the shore. The rest of the time I was with the group pacing a football and swimming.

We then departed around 4pm and returned to the residence where we were left to our own devices. Most of us rested till dinner at 7pm and then spent the rest of the evening exploring Havana. I spent some time exploring on my own when we returned and found a synagogue with a gym in the basement.