Elsewhere Goes To Cuba

Overview

Elsewhere Goes To Cuba

December 31 - January 8, 2017

The Elsewhere brigade traveled to Cuba over the winter holidays with NEEM, a non-profit dedicated to the Cuban agroecological organipónico model.This special travel group explored Cuba’s experimental styles in art and agriculture by meeting with farmers, artists, and cultural leaders for in-depth access to studios, agricultural cooperatives, and arts institutions.

HIGHLIGHTS : 

Salvador Gonzáles Escalona and other Cuban muralists, Callejón de Hamel, 1990-present. Image by George Scheer, 2017.

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Accomodations

The group was based out of Havana. Stays included 8 nights / 9 days in double rooms at NEEM’s favorite Casa Particulares (bed & breakfast style home stays).

The Brigade

Clint Easthood | Videographer + Artist

Emily Ensminger | Elsewhere Program Director

Jeff Ensminger | NEEM Founder + Director

Ivan Feign | Photographer + Tech Wiz

Philip Freelon | NMAAHC Architect, President of The Freelon Group

Nneenna Freelon | 6-time Grammy nominated jazz singer

Bob Powell | Architectural Engineer, Associate Professor at NC A&T University

Mildred Powell | Organization Administrator, Fund for Democratic Communities

Kat Phillips | Phillips Foundation Trustee

George Scheer | Elsewhere Co-Founder + Executive Director

Preparations

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Image courtesy of Philip Freelon, 2017.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

  1. Download Cuba phone apps for offline use. Consider:

    1. Galileo, a map helpful for getting around.

    2. Jibbigo, for verbal translation

    3. World Lens, for sign translation.

    4. Being able to stay connected in Cuba is not easy. If you need to stay in touch regularly with people in the US look into getting a prepaid phone that can be used on the island. To make occasional calls or check emails, you will need to walk to a hotel, buy a card, and use their services (like internet cafés with phone service/cabinas).  

    5. Be AT THE AIRPORT NO LATER THAN 3 hours prior to departure. Flights to Havana are notoriously chaotic, and at this historic moment especially so.

PACKLIST

In Cuba, you are allowed 66 lbs (of which 22 can be medication). You can bring your laptop, ipad or any device of your choice. Be prepared to fill out paperwork to check in when you arrive in Cuba (standard procedure).

  • Bring comfortable shoes and clothes

  • Swimsuit + towel

  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)

  • Toilet paper, wipes, and hand sanitizer (public bathrooms do not have these)

  • Imodium, Pepto, pain medication  (In case of stomach issues or pain issues)

EXPENSES/MONEY:TAXIS

Official taxis range between $7 - $12 within the Havana proper area.

MONEY

Cash is the only way to pay for stuff in Cuba (at least for now!). When you change dollars for CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos) the government takes a cut, which ranges about 12%. You can exchange dollars at the airport (advised you do once arrived). Once in the city, hotels, banks and places called Cadecas are all good options for exchanging currency.

RECOMMENDED READING

Hyperallergic

Artivismo

Smithsonian

Smithsonian

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Image courtesy of Philip Freelon, 2017.

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