#14- Guama and Playa Giron- Bay of Pigs

We traveled to Guama. First stop was the crocodile refuge.

One of the many bill boards along the side of the road.

tree rats

Some the students wanted to hold these little critters..

Anyone for lunch?

And now they want us to get into a boat.....

 We are off to the Taino Village

We traveled to Guama that was replica of a Taino village that was a representation of the pre- Colombian culture that dated back to 8000 years ago. These people were known as  peace loving farmers, weavers, ceramicists, and boat builders. The pre-Columbus population for Cuba was believed to be 100,000  but within 30 years 90% of the Tainos had been wiped out.

The Taino village was built of wood and mud. The most important and emblematic artifacts are the "cemis" which are small figurines depicting cult objects that represents social status and political power of fertility. These unearthed objects are displayed in various museums around the island.

        I didn't see much information while we were here so it was difficult to know what we were actually experiencing.

We walked into the hut and they painted our faces and blessed us.

On the way back we traveled through a narrower canal and saw these treasures. The pelican above and below a big termite nest.

We are waiting for our bus to take us for lunch and then onto Bay of Pigs.

Lunch. and here is the bathroom where you need your own toilet paper and you need to use the bucket of water to throw down the toilet to flush it.--this is a nice resort!

The bus came to a sudden stop and this is the reason.

Here we come Bay of Pigs. 

 This has always been something I was interested in and the more we were in Cuba and learning about revolution and embargo, my interest was definitely peaked.

       These tanks and planes were outside.  The building we were going into which is in the background behind Filiz.

This is the building that talks about the history of the Bay of Pigs.

 This small building....where is the beach and the monuments that I expected? I was so disappointed and a little confused.  I couldn't take pictures inside unless I wanted to pay. To me, that was the last straw...Travis was taking the pictures for us but I don't have any to show. This time in history was such a big frightening part of my life.
There is a poem that was on the wall that summed up the terror of the day. "Elegy to the Little White Shoes" by Jesun Orta Ruiz

Elegy to the Little White Shoes... - It's just a mini break......!

mustangsam19732.blogspot.com/2014/10/elegy-to-little-white-shoes.html

Here is the gang wearing our t-shirts which say "Where in the world is Plymouth State University?

This event started in April 15, 1961 when the CIA sent 1400 rebels to overthrow Fidel Castro. They went to take over the airport and other areas in which 800 died in a failed attempt.  Fidel had heard of the plan a week earlier and moved men and equipment elsewhere. On April 17 an attempt to land on the beach, left 114 dead and 1189 captured. Kennedy left the soldiers stranded with no support.  A year later the U.S. government paid $53 million in food and medicines to release the men.
By the end we left Cuba with 666 buildings, 70 industries, 10 sugar mills, 5 mines, 2 banks destroyed and many people displaced.
Fidel stated that the US had violated the international law.  With all this, Cuba was leaning toward the Soviet Union for support and the scene was being set for the Cuban Missile Crises in October 1962.  "Socialism or death" proclaimed Castro.

Our hotel and the room below.  We had 2 bedrooms, living room, and 2 bathrooms with Hot water and toilet paper.

The beach was pretty but hard to swim in.  There is a break water and you can only go up to your waist. I decided to walk and collect sand rather than swim.  Water was nice though.

Looking back on to the beach from the break water. 

Our guys enjoying the pool.

A beautiful sunset

We pulled up to the gas station to fill up our bus and I looked out the window as we came in. Something was definitely wrong with this picture... Filling up the one horse power?? Really?!

                                                               Filled and ready to go!

Not so Ready...

This is a very tired group..We had had a long day the day before and a long night dancing. I am awake and I think I am the oldest and yes I did stay up dancing with the gang!
Ciao!