Calling all Chicago Complete Cuba Readers...

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Iré Elese Abure, a performance ensemble steeped in the dance, song, and drumming traditions of Afro-Cuban folklore, will perform at the Old Town School of Folk Music on November 1. The group prides itself on combining the sacred and the secular, and this event will include previews of ritual celebrations, drumming including batá (sacred drums used to communicate with and call down dieties), song, and dancing. The performance will also feature different styles of Afro-Cuban rumba. It will be a great way to learn more about Afro-Cuban traditions. Can’t make it to Chicago? Check out the link for a video of the one of the group’s high energy performances.

https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2019/11-01-2019-gdp-ire-elese-abure-with-orisha-dance-chicago/



New Trains are Coming to Cuba

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OnCubaNews reports that, “The trains with the new cars which arrived from China weeks ago will start working next weekend, the island’s Minister of Transportation Eduardo Rodriguez announced this Monday in a commission of the National Assembly of Cuba.”

https://oncubanews.com/en/cuba/new-trains-will-start-operating-in-cuba-with-lower-prices-than-for-buses/?fbclid=IwAR30k_xdfArLJ-M3DiuT3viWtaaFZXA4er0MqQTSIhMNkfQ4uknNJYJNOxY

Hershey and Cuba

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We were the first company to take travelers to Hershey, Cuba, just 30 miles but a world away from Havana. This quick video from the Hershey Story Museum in Pennsylvania provides background on this “model industrial town" and shows how it looked back in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.  https://bit.ly/2J3L14G

Want to learn more about Hershey, Cuba? This article from the Hershey archives describes the town: https://bit.ly/2J3L3cO and this 40 minute video goes in-depth on the town and its history: https://bit.ly/2X53rvS. 

Visiting today shows you a unique part of Cuban history and daily life. Come see Hershey, Cuba for yourself with our October small group trip. There are only 2 spots left, email keith@completecuba.com today.

Have you seen the latest Oscar nominee?

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When you think of how you’d like to spend your time in Cuba, do you ever imagine going to a movie? Probably not, but this essay about seeing movies in Cuba (both in traditional theaters and in small video screening rooms) argues that you should do it as a way to experience daily life:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/cubas-old-movie-theaters-make-delightful-destinations

Special 2019 Trip Announced Complete Cuba Habana 500 Años October 7-13, 2019

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Have you been thinking about traveling to Cuba for a long time?

Have you been to Cuba and just have the bug to go back so bad because you enjoyed it so much?

This Complete Cuba Habana 500 Años trip is going to be INCREDIBLE! Travel with Complete Cuba to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the founding of Havana. There is no better place in 2019 to celebrate the history of the western hemisphere.

THIS TRIP IS STILL SCHEDULED AND APPROVED DESPITE RECENT CHANGES IN US/CUBA POLICY.

SCHEDULE NOW BEFORE FURTHER CHANGES OCCUR.

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Cuban Baseball

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The Cuban national baseball team was in Ottawa, Canada over the weekend.  The national team’s manager, Rey Vicente Anglada, also manages Havana’s Industriales team, which some of our past travelers have gotten to see in action.  This story discusses Anglada’s career and the Cuban team.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/fathers-day-at-the-ballpark-cuban-style

New Dates to be Announced Soon!

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Travelers from our March trip returned two weeks ago, and have been going through their photos.  As always, our travelers captured some great images of Cuba far beyond the beaten path.  (The trip included a visit to the rarely visited Isle of Youth, which contributed to some particularly great images.)  But one of our favorites is this one by Dan Tamarkin from our time in Havana.  Here, Amy is greeted by an old friend.  If you want to experience the warmth of the Cuban people for yourself, join our email list now for first dibs at our next and last trip for 2019.

Photo by Dan Tamarkin

Photo by Dan Tamarkin