The morning’s destination was a national park, El Nicho, in the southern mountains of Cuba for a trip to a local waterfall and some swimming. After our arrival, our trek through the forest was led by a guide who explained some of the flora to us.
We traversed the river over a couple of plank bridges and encountered several waterfalls. The largest was not for swimming, but spectacular for its beauty.
Our hike ended at a smaller waterfall that allowed the group to swim, relax, and explore. The water was very cold and refreshing and it was wonderful to see other travelers sharing the experience. After a relaxing walk back, we enjoyed a lunch that included a musical performance of classic Cuban songs.
We traversed the river over a couple of plank bridges and encountered several waterfalls. The largest was not for swimming, but spectacular for its beauty.
Our hike ended at a smaller waterfall that allowed the group to swim, relax, and explore. The water was very cold and refreshing and it was wonderful to see other travelers sharing the experience. After a relaxing walk back, we enjoyed a lunch that included a musical performance of classic Cuban songs.
The afternoon was spent with Teatro de Elementos, an artistic community that consists of singers, actors, artists and welcomes anyone from the outside world to share in the artistic process and to connect with nature. After a tour of the property and several moving performances, the group had time to talk with the General Director and resident artists over tea made from local leaves. The visit concluded with a ‘play back’ performance with consisted of the artists interpreting some of our experiences in Cuba thus far. One of the highlights was Indigo playing percussion with the band, and Kristina and Shara Kahn dancing with the performers.
Both of these experiences added to our understanding of the beauty of Cuba. The natural beauty of the hills, agricultural activity, the forest and the falls showed a different side of Cuba from our bayside experience in Cienfuegos. Horse drawn carriages, ‘living’ fences, field of sugar cane and mango trees painted a different side of Cuba than what we have seen thus far. Gone were the broad concrete plaza and boulevards of the city, replaced with the lush green of a fertile land that is often still farmed in traditional ways.
The experience at Teatro de Elementos furthered our sense of the passion that Cuban people bring to their art and culture. The music, a blend of traditional songs and individual interpretation allows a unique style of music; an intersection of the past and the present. In the play back session, our impressions of Cuba were reinterpreted through the eyes of the troupe, a unique blend of the Cuban and American lenses on this place. These ideas and emotions transcended language as many were moved to tears.
Tom White and Kristy Johnson
