The Arts & Culture in Cuba: MEDA Sarasota 03.18-25,2017

Here's a photojournalist essay of the MEDA Sarasota https://meda.org/sarasotaDelegation's March 18th to the 25th, 2017 visit to Cuba https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba with an emphasis on the Arts and Culture of Cuba. Each day is marked by a Collage and the day's Itinerary. There are links to two other photo albums provide here as well as within the album.
They are 100 Cuban Portraits in 1 week http://www.kentsweitzerphotography.com/Portraits/Cuban-Portraits-2017/ and Cuban Artist Saulo Serrano http://www.kentsweitzerphotography.com/Art/Cuban-Artist-Saulo-Serrano-with-MEDA-Delegation-03202017/ MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Agency) http://www.meda.org/

MEDA Delegation Coordinators: JB Miller & Noah Weiler Interpreter:Alberto Gonzalez MLKC Program facilitator/guide: Rita Maria Ojeda MEDA Consultant: Sharon Hostetler
The Arts and Culture in Cuba,MEDA Sarasota Delegation, March 18-25, 2017
Beginning on Left : Larry & Elaine Short, Brian & Neena Miller, Greg & Ellen Lacher, Priscilla & Ervin Boschman, Mary & Abe Miller, Noah Weiler, Wayne & Joanne Speigle, Eli & Betty Miller, Ralph & Marilyn Stutzman, Perry & Mary Chupp, Sharon Hostetler,Adolph & Molly Jagger, Sarah & Kent Sweitzer and JB Miller.
Havana Airport - Terminal 3 Baggage
The only time and place where I was asked not to take a photograph (after I took it). A Cuban soldier said " no pictures please". I asked, "outside okay ?" He replied - "any place outside is fine." He did not ask me to delete the photo I had taken. It is here.
Day 1-Saturday, March 18th, 2017
24 Delegates arrive with check into rooms at MLKC Introduction and Orientation Dinner at MLKC Greeting Havana, visit Revolutionary Square, visit Ambos Mundow Hotel in Old Havana
Ralph & JB are settling into their rooms...well, sort of...
Joel Suarez introduces himself to the latest arrivals at the MLKC
Getting to know the Two Currencies of Cuba
The Dr, Martin Luther King Center Courtyard is a place to gather
The Meal Room - wonderful food made locally plus fresh conversation and Cuban coffee every day.
T Shirt Gifts cover the wall to the left along with a variety of banners, flags and motivational and activists signs on other walls
Mother & son pose in the MLKC Dining Area
Soccer Players pose spontaneously
From the floor floor of the MLKC I was preparing to shot some live soccer action when suddenly - it stopped and I saw hand waving instead. I gave them the thumbs up for being natural !
Plaza de la Revolution, Havana, Cuba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_de_la_Revoluci%C3%B3n
Lobby of Ambos Mundow Hotel in Old Havana
Elevator shaft for Up and Down Transportation
Ride the same elevator that Hemingway used.
One of Hemingway's Cuba "homes".
Time to retire at the MLKC - the walk to the top
Day 2- Sunday, March 10th, 2017
Breakfast Walking tour of Old Havana with Historian and Author Alberto Gonzalez Lunch at MLKC Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Central Havana walking tour with guide Elias Aseff, Historian of Afro-Cuban Religions. Visit House of Santaria Dinner in the home of Afro-Cuban artist, Salvador Gonazlex Night on the terrace of the National Hotel Return to MLKC
Used by the community, the MLKC and the MEDA Delegation - fill your reusable bottle and canisters daily and often.
"Has anyone seen, my old friend Martin?"
The Dr. Martin Luther King Center in Havana is not affiliated with the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Morning Ritual
Conversation and black bean sorting
Alberto & Rita start the day with greetings and instructions
The Catedral de San Cristobal on the square Plaza de La Catedral in La Habana Vieja, Havana, Cuba, Caribbea
Mailbox with personality