So as not to waste a few good hours Jesus started the day with a tour of The National Cemetery. Cubans are buried above ground but their bones are then exhumed three years later and placed in a storage bin inside a large warehouse type building. An unusual custom that Jesus tells us is due to space constraints and is also painful for the families. We saw many elaborate plots of heros and wealthy Cuban families and a gravesite of a woman that is revered and worshipped by the Cuban people. As the story goes she died in childbirth and was buried along with her dead baby. When her bones were exhumed several years later there were no bones of the baby and it was felt that the baby lived. Homage is paid at her gravesite by expectant mothers and other “believers” every day, all day. Finally one last stop to visit the artist Sandra Dooley. She is self taught and paints from personal experience. Her work is mystical and beautiful and I am proud to say that a piece of her work will be hanging prominently in my house.
We depart Cuba having met wonderful, friendly people. We shared many educational and fun experiences, and saw beautiful sites. We danced, sang and ate with new friends. As is frequently the case we again affirmed that people are more similar than different and it is only politics that keeps us from sharing and helping us understand each other. Hasta la proxima vez, Cuba.
Marilyn and I can’t wait to see the art work.
Just lovely!!
Fred