RETURN TO THE PHOTOS PAGE or use your
Browser Back Button
|
|
Havana Cuba, May 2000
The Marathon Power Squadron Burgee held
by Cdr Gregory Absten and wife Lisa. From left to right is Senor Franco,
Director of International Relations in Havana, Greg, Lisa, Dr. Montequin
who runs a Vascular Surgery and General Hospital, and Senor Milian who is
the VicePresidente of Havana.
PAGE MAY TAKE A LONG TIME TO LOAD BECAUSE
OF MANY PICTURES |
For More Pictures & Detailed Info on Boating to Cuba, go to
the CUBA pages on this site
The Marathon Power Squadron Burgee made it's way into Havana
Harbor on Cdr Absten's boat, under the discerning eye of El Morro Castle. This
was not a power squadron function, but the information is presented here for
interest of the membership. The trip was the beginning of many such trips for
the delivery of medical supplies and equipment into Cuba under a Treasury
department license. Any Power Squadron members who would like to volunteer the
use of their boats for this purpose, on an individual personal basis, should
contact Gregory Absten at 305-289-9056. This is not a Power Squadron sponsored
activity. More information on the needs for medical supplies and boats can be
found on the website of www.CubanHealthNetwork.org
|
Castle El Morro as seen from inside the
Harbor looking out. Havana harbor control maintains their control station
in the lighthouse. Seas were 10 feet coming across at night. We could have
waited for better weather.
|
Approaching the commercial docks and
warehouses in Havana Harbor with the MPS burgee flying from the bow.
|
|
It must be said that the people here in
Cuba are among the most genuinely friendly and giving people we have ever
met anywhere. The U.S. has many "things" and money, but the
Cuban people know how to live and to love life and each other. The
children are happy. Perhaps we each have something to give and teach each
other.
At right, some of the friends we met.
From left to right: Ileana, Pilli, Giselle(9yo), Greg, Lisa, Daisy,
Camilla(3yo), Odallas, Miguel, Joe (from our group) and Andy(10yo). This
was after dinner at Pilli & Ileana's house. |
 |
A pleasure yacht showing up at commercial
docks in Havana is unheard of - entrance to the Harbor is actually
prohibited, but that's where we have to offload. Here we encounter a
large crowd of prearranged helpers to assist with unloading the boat of
medical supplies and heavy equipment. We needed a
winch and davit to originally load some of our heavy equipment, but these
people unloaded it all by hand! |
Below - A few of our 9 crew stand onboard
while the boat is offloaded. We were not permitted to get off in Havana
Harbor.
|
|
Cdr Absten (left), wife Lisa, and Dr.
Osher from Cincinnati Oh. An advisor to our nonprofit medical group, Dr.
Osher performed surgeries with a Cubano physician while we were there. |
Malecon Square in Central Havana below
|
Mariel Hemingway marina, about 10 mi West
of Havana is where we stayed for a week. It is full of U.S. Boats. It is
VERY safe, very modern, and has all the amenities.
|
A word about going to CUBA
Visit the CUBA page on this
website to learn more about traveling to Cuba. It is not illegal for US
citizens to go without a Treasury license, only illegal to spend money
there. Cuba is extremely safe, even for children. The government and the
marinas are very helpful to American Boaters.
Cuba is NOT a third world country. Their
literacy rate is higher than the US, and their health care (as measured by
mortality) is only slightly below the US, at a tiny fraction of the cost.
They are a dignified, proud and very generous people. Much of what you may
have seen as represented here in the US is just plain not true. Our
governments do differ, and Cuba has definite needs for supplies and
equipment that they are unable to acquire or afford because of the US
embargo. |
|
The Fort overlooks and protects the
Harbor entrance.
|
The Fort overlooking Havana Harbor was
built by the Spanish and served to protect the Harbor. Every evening at
9pm the nightly firing of the cannon is re-enacted. This signified closing
of the Fort walls for the evening. This is a REAL cannon that REALLY fires
into the Harbor! |
|
Lisa Absten sits in front of Hemingway's
boat "Pilar" at the Hotel "El Viejo y el Mer"
|
We had the pleasure of touring several
medical facilities throughout Havana. Here above we're at the large Havana
Psychiatric Hospital. It is VERY impressive. These people are treated with
dignity and respect - like real Human beings. They are taught how to live,
and avocations and work are weaved back into their lives. Patients put on
a very impressive stage show for us. Many were professional performers.
Here Joe Thomas from our group jumps up on stage to start dancing with the
performers. Cdr Gregory Absten, and Jay Higgenbotham from Mobile's Society
La Habana were not far behind!
At left Cdr Absten by a sign saying
"Return Elian". Lisa and I saw kids throughout the city. They
played and were happy, safe, and shown much love. They were
taught respect and dignity for others and it showed through. They were
completely safe in their own schools.
Remember the values and unlocked doors of the 50's?
It's still there in Cuba. |
RETURN TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE
|
