The Senior Scene

Our week in Cuba was definitely eye-opening, from our landing in Trinidad to our departure from Havana. We arrived home a better-educated and more compassionate group. 

Our first destination was Trinidad, where we stayed at an all-inclusive beach resort, Brisas, built in 2000.  It was much like going to an all-inclusive in Mexico – the welcoming entertainment and cocktail, exploration of the property to find our rooms, restaurants and lounges.  The beach was beautiful and the sunsets magnificent.  We had plenty of time to view the sunsets as we returned back late each afternoon, but only once was there time to view the beach.  This was a “People to People” educational tour, the only way we could obtain the required visa.  We were there to interact and learn and that we did.

Time was spent driving the countryside, lush and tropical with hills in the background; visiting markets with the usual jewelry, linens and wood-working; watching the people as they went about their business.  The homes in this area were noticeably minimal but well-kept with no litter or graffiti to be seen.  Most Cubans now “own” their own homes where multi-generational families reside.  We were told that there is no unemployment but there are people who are “available to work.”

A tour of a cigar factory was a highlight. We were not allowed to take photos but could definitely interact with the workers who were all smiles and excited to try to explain to us what they were doing.  The art of pantomime worked both directions as we watched them pick out, pack and roll the leaves into the beautiful works of art those cigars can become. Working conditions were clean; the people looked healthy and happy; we felt more than welcomed.

A tour to the Botanical Gardens showed plants indigenous to the area but also transplanted from all over the world. Beautiful flowers and amazing trees were everywhere. Back in town, we were once again surrounded by the “old” American cars, taken into shops with meager supplies, toured through the theater and given a concert by a choir that is working hard to raise enough funds to tour the U.S.  Dinner was at a “private” restaurant, as now the citizens can own their own businesses.  It was sad to see that we were the only customers. The food was excellent, the service on the spot and entertainment was provided. Old, beautiful mansions have now been turned into some of these wonderful restaurants that are trying to survive.

It took a full day to travel by bus (Chinese-made) between Trinidad (population 70,000) and Havana (1.5 million). We learned tourism is the number 1 industry, with the U.S. being the number 2 country despite the embargo.

We visited the museum at the Bay of Pigs and learned, from the Cuban perspective, just what happened in 1961 and the area that was covered.  We traveled on a steam train through the sugar cane fields and ate bananas fresh off the trees. Our lunch was in the jungle with a beautiful sinkhole-type pool, next to the restaurant and the ocean across the street.

Havana was all any of us expected.  We resided at the National Hotel, built in 1930 and home to the rich and famous of the time. It has been beautifully restored and we were honored to be a part of it all.  Looking at the pictures on the walls of those who have stayed since the ‘30s was absolutely amazing.  This was our home but not our purpose, and we spent many hours driving around the city looking at buildings, comparing districts, seeing hospitals, walking streets and looking in small shops.

A visit to the Literacy Museum took us to 1961 when Fidel Casatro closed all the schools and sent the people out into the country. In the U.S., we thought this was horrible, but in Cuba it was a time of reform for the people.  From as young as 8 years old, they went out of the cities and into the country to teach people to read and write. Over 230,000 people were involved in this, and now the illiteracy rate is less than 0.2 percent. Proof of the success was in the letters these people wrote to Fidel thanking him.

A stop at a “poly-clinic” gave us an inside view of healthcare. Every town has a clinic and doctors. This clinic had 24 family doctors and handles 27,000 inhabitants in the area. Healthcare is free. A rehab program was in place and doctors go out into the community.

To give us a little insight to the educational system, we were taken to an art school. The “art” at this school was “circus.” The students were ages 14 to 18. They maintained regular educational classes in the morning but then learned circus in the afternoon. We were made aware of their accomplishments with a performance.

Seniors are well taken care of. When they wish, they put their name on a list, much as we do, for housing in a senior community. The large home that we visited houses women on one side, men on the other, and had small apartments for couples. The singles were housed dormitory-style. Once again we noted the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities. People were well, clean and happy. We learned that they received all their meals, healthcare and were even taken out on occasional day trips. Sounded a little like home but on a rather lower scale.

Not necessarily of a “people to people” nature, we were allowed to visit the Hemingway House where this famous author lived and worked.  This was a magnificent tour into a home that was built in that era of luxury and decadence in Cuba before the revolution.

A last stop was made at the home of Fueste, an artist who is becoming a world-known master. He works a lot in mosaic and has rejuvenated his community by doing the walls and buildings. 

On our last afternoon, we met with Camilo Garcia Lopez, a professor who tried to explain, from a Cuban perspective, what the revolution did and how Cubans and the U.S. look at each other. I would have to write considerably much more to get into that explanation, but it did open our eyes to a different viewpoint.  There was much good discussion and hope that our countries could come to some agreement which would allow these people to grow and prosper and allow us the ability to freely travel here and have commercial business with them.

It was an amazing trip and one we will all remember. Asked why we wanted to go, we all said because we can.

And what is on your Christmas list this year? A little fun adventure? An escape from the cold? Time to pamper yourself?
At our age, we have been taking care of others for so many years that we often forget there should be time for us. Perhaps there is money in the bank because “we have to leave something for the children” or “I’m saving it for a rainy day.” Well, we aren’t getting any younger, and the day may come when we really can’t get out and have some fun escapes for ourselves. We do need to take advantage of what we have now. Senior Adventures is all about still being able to do things even if you can’t do them on your own. Our tours are escorted, and we even help you find a roommate if you need one to help share the expenses.
Here we are at the end of another year. What new memories did you add? Did you find a new special place that you loved? Did you make some new friends? Did you learn something about a new culture? Did you do something you have always dreamed of doing but didn’t have the time, the money or anyone to do it with?
Senior Adventures is there for you. We have day trips, short overnights and exciting longer trips which might include a cruise or an amazing land tour. We visit far away exotic places and those within reach by lunch time.
Plans are now being made for many exciting things in the new year: A cruise to Belize and Roatan; a couple of weeks in Maui; spring in Washington, D.C; an exploration of Portugal with a river cruise on the Duro; Normandy and Paris for Memorials of the War. We will see the tulips in LaConnor, maybe iris in Oregon or lilacs in Woodland; we will travel to the ocean and the mountains; dinners may take us to the Seattle waterfront, Hood Canal, Olympia or points beyond; stay close to home and go to the theater for “Lion King.”
Do something for yourself. Give yourself permission to have fun. Contact me at 253-927-8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com

Here we are nearing the end of the year again. It has been a very busy year with exciting things to do and places to go. It is sometimes hard to try to decide what to do next. We are always looking for suggestions.
There might still be some space on the Cuba trip Dec. 1 for those who can’t make up their minds until the last minute. We might even still be able to find space on Princess cruises for anyone who would like to that that wonderful 15 day cruise out of San Francisco to Hawaii and back. There have been some very good fares listed for that one.
Now is also the time to be thinking of our cruise out of Galveston to Roatan and Belize on March 9. A nice seven-day cruise to get you out of the weather and start you thinking about spring.
And then there is our annual two-week trip to Hawaii. This year it will be Maui. Come along and see every inch of the island. The price tag includes lots of day trips, plenty of meals and a great deal of fun, sun and relaxation.
Further into the spring is Washington, D.C. for the cherry blossoms. Think about perhaps staying in the country and seeing those things which have been so important to us – the Jefferson, the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean War memorials. The Smithsonian. Visit Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, Arlington, and even tour Annapolis.
Want something a little more exotic? Then how about Portugal, Spain and a river cruise through the Duro Valley? Everything is included on this one, with no extras for shore excursions or even cocktails.
For further information on these and many other trips (don’t forget all the dinner dates and mystery trips, the MOHI and the theater), call me at 253 927 8207 or get on the e-mail list at linda.finch@gmail.com.

Sweet tea, Dr. Pepper, crawfish, barbecue, oysters on the half sheet, popcorn shrimp, grits … all pictures of the South. What a wonderful area of the United States, and someplace we in the North need to know more about.  We hear about Katrina, Issac and so many other horrible storms, but have no real feeling about it because we are so unfamiliar with the area.

A group of us flew into Atlanta, Ga. and immediately traveled deeper into the south for a night in Montgomery, the state capitol. After a good night’s sleep, we really started the trip. Our first stop was the Rosa Parks Museum. This courageous lady basically started the civil rights movement.  We up north have no idea what is was like to have separate white and black facilities. How humiliating it was to have to give up your seat on the bus just because a person of another color was “better” than you. Rosa was tired of it all and held her spot even though it was against the rules. The bus boycott caught on and thus began a new revolution.

Lunch took us to Mobile and the Dew Drop Inn, the oldest continuously working eating establishment in the area.  Opened in 1857 and famous for its hot dogs, this is the restaurant where Jimmy Buffet wrote “Cheeseburger In Paradise.”

It wasn’t far from the Dew Drop to the Carnival Museum. What a fascinating place. Here was the birth of Mardi Gras in the U.S. Depictions of floats from the early 1900s until today, lavish costumes weighted down with amazing bead work, and music that made the body want to move.

A quick drive then took us to Biloxi, Miss. We were now in the heart of where there has been so much hurricane devastation. A beach area where there had been 15 casinos now has five. Building is in progress and things are coming back. The cleanup has been done, but you can tell where there must have been beautiful homes and many trees. It is unbelievable how resilient these people are. Miles of beautiful beach will help them grow the tourist economy once again.

Beauvoir, the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library (former president of the Confederacy), was built in 1852 and was purchased in 1878 by Davis. Despite hurricane damage and lucrative offers to purchase the estate, it remained with the family until 1903 when it was sold to the Mississippi Division of the United Sons of the Confederate Veterans under the condition that it remain a memorial toDavis.  The Jefferson Davis Soldiers Home was opened the same year. It is now a marvelous museum carefully restored to its original grandeur.

A stop at The Shed in Gulfport (seen on the Food Channel) gave us all a perfect taste of southern barbecue. Huge portions covered in flavorful sauce meant we probably wouldn’t want dinner, but then, we were headed to New Orleans. And how can you not eat in New Orleans?

There isn’t enough room in this column to tell you all the wonders this city has to offer. Our hotel was just off Bourbon Street with its music, restaurants and theatrics. A place that jumps long into the night and early morning with some of the most interesting people, food and shopping. We toured the city and the cemeteries (there are so many and they are so interesting), visited the garden district and the Superdome, even took in the Sculpture Garden. It is so hard to believe that these areas were under eight feet of water during Hurricane Katrina. Hard work and devotion has given this beautiful city back to the people. There is much more to be done, but the people will never give up.

Plans are underway for a November cruise to Hawaii; a March cruise out of Galveston to Belieze and Roratan; April for two weeks in Hawaii; Portugal and the Duro River Valley in June; Normandy and Paris in October. For further information, contact me at 253-927-8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com.