Sunday

My driver Ozzy hooked me up with a professional Deep sea fisherman who specializes in fishing for big game (Marlin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Etc). We met up about fifteen minutes outside of Havana at the Ernest Hemingway Marina (Ernest Hemingway=Man of Sea – Amazing read). The big game fishing seemed to be non existent or they were sleeping because we didn't get one big bite all day! The captain was amazing, and he was a true fishing guide who feels that it is imperative for him to ‘put you on the fish’! The captain stopped trolling for big game – we went in shallow and put on lines with basically apiece thick thread on them with no hooks! We were fishing for needlefish. They are small; maybe 1 – 5 pounds and they have small tiny teeth that get snagged on the thread. When the thread is being pulled behind the boat it acts squid like in its movement.. We caught 3 needlefish in about an hour. This was not would I like to call a great fishing day. In spite of the poor fishing – my mothers wife caught her first fish ever on her first fishing trip. Whenever I get to accompany someone on a fishing trip and they get their first fish – I feel special sharing one of my passions with them!

Fishing - I try not to travel anymore without getting a line wet (fishing). Calle De Hamel On Sunday we went to Calle de Hamel in Old Havana. Originally a small side street, it has been converted into sort of a town square, with live music, dancing, and refreshments. On Sundays between 12-4 you’ll see live music and dance/drumming. When we first arrived, the street was packed, everyone in anticipation of seeing an all women group playing bata drums and demonstrating different dances for each orisha. They started with Ellegua, then Yemaya, Ochun, Ochosi, and ended with Chango. Everyone could feel the energy of the drums, vibrating through the ground. They played on old wooden bata drums painted in colorful designs which have clearly been passed down for generations. When they finished, another group took the stage playing rumba. They women and men sang and danced, with women equal to men in number of instruments played and respect given by the audience. Each had their own voice and were able to go with the flow of the song. Members of the audience each came out to dance rumba with others. This is a must do – especially if you are into the Afro American influence on Cuban culture.

Fabric de Arte Sunday night, and our last big WHO - RAH before preparing to leave on Monday! Fabric de Arte is too much of an experience to explain. When trying to describe it – I think back to my 10th Grade Cisco Networking teacher, Mr. Zullo, explaining what it was like to do mushrooms in the early 70s! LOL Think if Manhattan and Brooklyn had a baby with a Latin vibe and you have Fabric De Arte. When you enter this FAC you will feel like you morphed back into the United States in Downtown Manhattan somewhere. There are paintings everywhere, famous quotes by various famous people written in Spanish! The place is just amazing. We were 100% pooped and almost did not make it to Fabric De Arte, but I am glad that we did! If you get a chance to visit Havana – make sure you put this on your agenda!