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Cuba

5 Reasons to Visit Cuba

September 7, 2019 KeepCalmAndWander 2 Comments

Cuba is one of the most beautiful countries in the whole world and it is famous for its culture, architecture and great history. The island country has very warm weather that makes it suitable for visiting all year long and it is a great place for vacation. The locals are

, Cuba

Portrait of a Cuban Taxi Driver

February 19, 2016 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Here’s a street portrait of of a Cuban taxi driver I met while backpacking in Cienfuegos. On my second and last day in the town, I hired him to go around because I wanna see more of the French art deco buildings which can be found everywhere around this small

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How Americans Can Go To Cuba

August 16, 2015 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

A few days ago, a friend of mine asked me if Americans can now go to Cuba. Well, unfortunately, the answer is NOT YET. That’s as far as I know. Though Cuba and USA have already raised their flags in each other’s country, it might take time for Americans to go

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Varadero Beach

July 30, 2015 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Varadero Beach in Cuba is well-known as a tropical destination for Canadians during the freezing month in the Great White North. People who usually go here for the sun, sand and sea are those who are in all-inclusive vacation packages, staying in 3 to 5 star hotels which abound the

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Murals of Propaganda in Cuba

July 24, 2015 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

I took a lot of photos of murals of propaganda in Cuba during my 16-day backpacking trip last year. However, I had to delete a lot of them, too, because I forgot to bring an extra memory card for my camera—and I didn’t bring my laptop because I know that

Cuba

This Church Altar in Remedios is Made of Gold

July 23, 2015 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Cuba, unlike any other Spanish-speaking countries, is not staunch Catholic. And that’s according to my Cuban landlords. Though Catholic churches are everywhere in the country, it doesn’t mean Cubans are devout Catholics. Well, these churches aren’t totally empty; there are few who pray on the pews. Remedios is a dusty,

, Cuba

Things to do in Cuba

December 21, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

Here is my own list of things to do in Cuba. Or a list of things I did in Cuba. Now that Cuba and the United States are fixing their long-time political brouhaha, it won’t be long that American visitors will be flooding to the Caribbean’s largest nation soon. And

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Santiago de Cuba – things to do, see, scams and annoyances

July 25, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments

My fabulous, Cuban landlords had warned me not to go to Santiago de Cuba — and I should have listened. Well, I actually did. I scrapped it off my list of places to visit before flying to Havana. Instead of going to Santiago, I changed my itinerary to Vinales. However,

, Cuba

The Creoles of Santiago de Cuba

July 23, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments

Tired from my own walking tour in Santiago de Cuba, I sat down on a bench at Plaza de Dolores. Out of nowhere, these Creoles showed up, sat on the opposite bench, and got ready to play their music. However, they seemed restless. Their eyes were wandering around for a

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Visiting Che Guevarra in Santa Clara

July 8, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 1 Comments

If you love history and all things that are associated with Che Guevarra, Santa Clara is the place to be. The famous guerrilla is immortalized everywhere around the city. It’s like the city is a memorial to Che. You see him in propaganda billboards, murals, and souvenirs. Visiting Che Guevarra

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Cuban Cuisine – All the dishes I ate in Cuba

June 16, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 2 Comments

My first taste of Cuban cuisine was offered by my fabulous Cuban landlords. I don’t really remember what it was but I do remember the red rice with black beans, otherwise known as “Moros y Cristianos”. In English, that’s literally translated as Muslims and Christians. Weird name for food, eh?

, UNESCO Sites

Getting Lost in the Labyrinth In Camaguey

June 12, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 4 Comments

Camaguey is a labyrinth where a poor map reader can easily get lost. The narrow streets seem identical and they look like endless mazes that seem to bring you back to where you’ve started. Getting lost in this old colonial city, however, offers a curious visitor some old gems that

, Pride Anywhere

Gays in Havana

June 4, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 9 Comments

When I googled “Gays in Havana” prior to my trip, I found a host of information. It seems to me that many establishments in Havana are gay-friendly. Cuba, I reckon, would be the next gay destination. It’s a gay-friendly country and bisexuals abound. It’s safe, too. I was told that

, People

The Onion Guy

June 2, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

“Cebolla! Cebolla!”, so I heard the onion guy screaming loud enough to be heard by household residents. I paced faster to get closer to snap a photo of him which he happily obliged without any return. He asked me where I come from and in jest, he said, “Buy this to

Cuba

Portraits of Cubans and Their Way of Life

June 1, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments

When traveling, I have this habit of talking to locals and asking them for their portraits whatever they are doing. I’d ask their names and I’d give mine even if they won’t ask. Most of the time, I got affirmative answers but there were few times I was refused but

The Gayest and the Most Straight-friendly Casa in Havana

, Pride Anywhere

The Gayest and the Most Straight-friendly Casa / AirBnB in Havana

May 28, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments

Gay Casa in Havana? Of course, it exist! Don’t be fooled by its tiny door when you find it nor think it’s a scary place with narrow steps when going to the second floor. You are, as a matter of fact, in a 114-year old colonial casa that withstood the