7. THE GUAYABERA IN SANCTI SPIRITUS Travel across the center of the country today as you depart Caya Ensenachos on the northern coast and head for the city of Camagüey. En route, stop in the pretty little town of Sancti Spiritus, whose Old Town is currently undergoing restoration. There, you’ll learn all about the history and manufacture of the traditional white, four-pocketed Cuban shirt, the guayabera, at the Guayabera Museum, housed in a historic riverside country villa dating back to 1858. Meet the museum’s curator for a discussion about the origins and production of this iconic Cuban garment (known in other parts of Latin America as the habanera), which some stories claim was created right here in Sancti Spiritus during the early 18th century; typically worn only in the countryside for centuries, the guayabera first appeared in Havana in the 1940s, and its popularity spread throughout the country, then the rest of Latin America. Lunch today will be at a private paladar where you’ll discuss the challenges of turning a private home into a restaurant with the owner. Arrive at your hotel in Camagüey early evening. Meals BLD


8. CAMAGÜEY’S ARTISANS & THEIR WORK Today, you’ll meet artisans and artists in the city of Camagüey, settled early in the 16th century and


Learn about the history and production of the guayabera – Cuba’s traditional four-pocketed shirt – in Sancti Spiritus


affectionately dubbed “the Maze” or “the City of Squares” for its labyrinthine historic center of twisting lanes and squares that confounded pirates and invaders in bygone days. First, visit the studio of leather sculptor José “Pepe” Guiterrez, just off Plaza San Juan Dios in downtown, for a demonstration and discussion of his work: creating unique masks, busts and animal sculptures from goat hide. As he works, Pepe explains the process of soaking, shaping and sculpting the leather into pieces largely inspired by Afro-Cuban culture and symbolism drawn from African mythology. Next, watch as local women combine their efforts to make handmade dolls at an arts project that really brings its community together, Projecto Carsueño. Then attend a dance performance and cultural exchange with a local


dance company, followed by lunch at a nearby paladar. Return to the hotel for the afternoon; have dinner at a paladar on Plaza San Juan Dios this evening. Meals BLD


9. CUBAN ARTS EDUCATION IN CAMAGÜEY In Camagüey today, meet the talented students of the Vicentina de la Torre Art School, their teachers and principal


ARTESANOS DE CUBA... From members of a Havana community arts project that crafts sculptures and murals from found items… to


a Camagüeyan sculptor who shapes goat leather into African-inspired masks and figures… to entire families who have labored together in their workshops for generations to create art books printed by hand on historic presses or Camagüey’s iconic clay tinajónes (see p. 14)... to an expert on the history and production of the traditional four-pocketed Cuban shirt, the guayabera... to a group of local women who combine their talents to create colorful handmade dolls – you’ll meet and learn from some of Cuba’s artesanos during your People-to-People travels.


Call your travel agent or Tauck at 877-519-1035


tauck.com/cuba 13


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