EXPEDITION
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
CUBA
PHOTOGRAPHY Photographic opportunities abound as we explore this colorful island through the eyes of its people. Zoom in on local artists at work in their studios, capture the movement of traditional dances, and photograph coffee farmers cultivating their crop.
Creative Writing
Engage with Cuban writers to learn about the country’s storytelling traditions. During writing workshops in the field, craft a narrative inspired by the people you meet on the lively streets of Havana, in AfroCuban Santería temples, or the young photographers and writers you explore with.
Cultural Geography
Discover the history of Havana’s barrios, or trace the myriad ethnic origins that have gone into Cuba’s melting pot. Hear from members of communities about local politics, and interview entrepreneurs to get their take on the expanding tourism industry and new freedoms in the private sector.
20 E x p e d i t i o n
Cuba is undergoing an unprecedented
transformation, making history as its economy, politics, and social structures evolve rapidly for the first time in decades. There has never been a more exciting time to experience this intriguing island. From the bustling streets of Havana to sleepy coastal fishing villages, get to know Cuban people and discover what life here is like—and how it’s changing. Engage with Cubans from all walks of life—artists, historians, dancers, farmers, and students— and explore the nature and meaning of these cultural exchanges through an On Assignment project in Photography, Creative Writing, or Cultural Geography.
I T I N E R A RY–1 1 DAYS days 1–5 Havana The streets of Havana are lined with beautiful, aging architecture, filled with vintage American and Soviet cars (and an occasional horse and buggy), and infused with spirit and art. This is a city with a vibrant heartbeat, and the best way to get to know it is through those who call it home. During our time here, we’ll be joined by Cuban students of photograpy, art, writing, and culture. Together, we’ll interpret Call toll-free 1-877-877-8759
the folk art adorning the famous Callejón de Hamel artist colony, talk with artisans in their studios, and photograph little-known corners of Havana. From the elegant mansions of Vedado and the colonial buildings of Habana Vieja to the tombstones of the vast Necrópolis de Cristóbal Colón, explore the many sides of Havana with the insights of our student companions. Discuss urban agriculture with farmers at the Organopónico Vivero Alamar, and later participate in a workshop with the founder of Psicoballet, a program that uses dance to help young people with disabilities. Attend the canon-firing ceremony at La Cabaña seaside fortress, and learn from our Cuban friends about how this nightly tradition came to be. Visit with Cuban photographers at the Fototeca de Cuba archive, mingle with young local writers at the former home of
50
MILES
Explore the cities of Havana and Trinidad alongside local Cubans. Meet with local musicians and dancers at a rural arts initiative and in the French colonial city of Cienfuegos. Discuss Cuba’s rapidly evolving cultural landscape with university students in Santa Clara. Explore Topes de Collantes National Park with a local guide.
Cultural Exploration
Choose one of these On Assignment projects and break into teams to delve further into your selected area of focus.
0
Atlantic Ocean Topes de Collantes Protected Area
Havana
CUBA
Santa Clara Cienfuegos Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs)
Trinidad
Caribbean Sea
Cuba is a place where “history lives on, and the Ernest Hemingway, and conjure up ideas and inspiration for our On Assignment projects. days 6–8 The Southern Coast and the Sierra del Escambray Travel to the southern side of the island, where we’ll stay in rustic cabanas near the coast. Meet a local historian in Trinidad, one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in the Americas, and walk along its cobbled streets, meeting residents and small business owners as you pass by their brightly painted homes. Then venture to a Santería temple to learn about Afro-Cuban religion with a santero, or priest. Use your On Assignment project to contrast your experiences in Trinidad with those in Cienfuegos, an elegant port city with French colonial roots. Here we’ll meet with students and teachers at the Benny Moré Art School and enjoy a traditional music and dance performance. Trace the southern coast to Playa Girón, site of the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion. Participate in rural arts initiatives at the nearby Korimakao Arts Community, where locals gather to express themselves through Cuban music, dance, and theater. Then head inland to the verdant Sierra del Escambray. Our local guide will introduce us to the unique ecology of Topes de Collantes park while sharing stories of the park’s conservation efforts and the protection of native species in Cuba.
days 9–11 Remedios and Santa Clara Spend the final days of your trip in a small town near the northern keys. Explore the captivating city of Santa Clara and connect with its vibrant Cuban youth scene. Chat with university students at a café, meet with young artists at the Casa de la Ciudad cultural center, and interview guards at the Boxcar Museum about recent Cuban history. Take time to put the finishing touches on your On Assignment projects, which we’ll present and discuss during a final dinner with our Cuban friends.
Dates & t u iti o n 2016 DATES: JULY 1—11, JULY 12—22 TUITION: $6,490 Airfare is not included. We have arranged group flights from Miami to Havana and Santa Clara to Miami. Refer to page 70 for transportation details. ACCOMMODATIONS: In Havana and Santa Clara, we stay in small guesthouses or hotels, the Southern Coast we stay in rustic cabanas. NOTE: This trip is permitted through the People-toPeople general license category from the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. The itinerary was designed to provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in meaningful interactions with Cubans, using their On Assignment project as a medium for enhancing educational exchange and cultural exploration.
apply online at ngstudentexpeditions.com
vitality of the people makes travel to the country a consistently inspiring experience. —Tim Weed
”
National Geographic Expert
MEET YOUR EXPERT TIM WEED Author, outdoorsman, and independent explorer Tim Weed is a founding director of National Geographic Student Expeditions. He was among the first to bring American students to Cuba since the Revolution in the late 1990’s, and has created and led programs for writers, artists, and musicians in countries around the world. Tim’s articles have appeared in various magazines and journals, and he is the winner of a Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Award and a Solas Best Travel Writing Award. His first novel, Will Poole’s Island, was released in 2014. Tim will join the July 1 departure in Remedios, and the July 12 departure in Havana.
Expedition 21
100