What’s Happening in Cuba in 2012?
What’s happening in Cuba in 2012? Well...plenty as usual.
1) The Havana Carnival.
This takes place every August along the Malecon where the sea breeze can give a little respite from the sweltering heat. It goes through the days and nights on the weekends and if you are going to be in Cuba at this time, you can’t help but be caught up in it. Great music, dazzling costumes, fireworks and lively parades…come to the party!
2) The Santiago de Cuba Carnival
This is actually the biggest and most famous carnival in Cuba. It will be on in Santiago de Cuba from July 21-28 in 2012. Hot days and hot nights with endless music and dancing. It is one big party featuring parades, congas, fantastic costumes. Local dishes such as congri, goat chilindron and ayaca are served from rustic, wooden kiosks, along with, of course, beer and rum. The whole town turns out for it.
3) 28th Jazz Festival of Havana “Jazz Plaza 2012”
This is one of Havana’s major festivals and attracts jazz lovers from all over the world. It will be held on December 13-16 2012. It began as a small event put on by some notable local jazz musicians at Casa de la Cultura in 1978. Because of its popularity, it was held again the following year and every year after that. It is now an annual, international event, featuring world renowned musicians from Cuba and overseas. See www.authenticubatours.com for details or trips to Cuba with a focus on this festival and also www.havanajazz.org
Teaching English in Cuba
In April 2005, exactly a year after my previous visit, I stepped once more through the doors of the Josè Martì Airport into the warm, tropical sunshine in the Republic of Cuba. This time was different. On the previous visit, I had come as a tourist but now I was here to teach English as a volunteer at the University of Ciego de Avila in the Ciego de Avila province in the centre of the island.
It had come about through word of mouth. A friend of a friend knew someone at the University who had put out the word that a native-speaking English teacher would be welcome to come and teach English as a volunteer in exchange for food and accommodation. Could my friend do it? No she couldn’t. She wasn’t a teacher. Did she know anyone who could? Yes she did. Me.
Where can I stay in Cuba?
Generally there are two types of accommodation in Cuba; hotels and casa particulars. Any good guide book will have a list of Hotels in the various regions of Cuba. These are usually organised into three groups; the top end, such as the famous Hotel Nacional and the Havana Libre, mid-range and budget, with information about the facilities that the visitor can expect to find there. There is also an inexhaustive list of websites with this information.
Travellers essentials for Cuba
Useful things to take with you to Cuba
- Camera
- A torch and a supply of batteries.
- Small padlocks for securing gear.
- Travellers' clothes washing detergent (in liquid and not powder form) and a clothes-drying line
- Small sewing kit.
- Thermos.
- Battery powered alarm clock ( for those early morning departures.)
- Universal plug for sinks.
- Power converter ( or adaptor) - 220v - 110v
- Some travellers like to take their mobile phone. (See further article for advice about this.)
- Guide book and maps.
Activities in Cuba
I don’t really want to spend my holiday lying on a beach in a resort. What are some other ways that I can experience Cuba?
There are certainly many ways to experience Cuba. Some travelers opt to go independently and stay in casa particulars rather than a hotel so that they can meet local people and immerse themselves in the daily life. There is plenty to see and do in Havana so many visitors plan their own trip and choose places to visit depending on their interests. The popular museums and galleries are featured in all the guide books on Cuba. Other visitors may choose to co-incide their visit with one of the festivals listed in a previous edition on this website but another very popular way to see Cuba is to go as part of a group with a specific focus; for example, dancing or cycling.
