Travelers' Tales Cuba: True Stories

by Tom Miller

Overview

From revolution to embargo, from the charms of old Havana to the beaches of the Bay of Pigs, from the hypnotic rhythms of Caribbean music to voodoo influences, Cuba is a country of passion and complexity, a political dinosaur on the verge of dramatic change. Travelers’ Tales Cuba is an eye-opening literary ensemble, in which Cuba emerges with all its strengths and weaknesses, convictions and contradictions.

In Travelers’ Tales Cuba:

• Swivel your hips with Stephanie Elizondo Griest as she dances with Havana’s mistress of rumba
• Pick up hitchhikers with Dave Eggers and meet the starting center for the Cuban women’s national basketball team
• Feel the heartbeat of Cuba on late night musical excursions with Henry Shukman
• Learn the Cuban secret to life—making the most of what you have—with Cristina Garcia
• Join Patrick Symmes on his search for the Ernesto "Che" Guevara legend
• Glimpse the quirks, charm, and creativity of Cubans on an unusal bus ride with Eduardo Galeano... and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781932361100
Publisher:	Travelers' Tales Guides, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/14/2004
Series:	Travelers' Tales Guides
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	5.13(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

	Introduction	xiii
	Map	xviii
Part 1	Essence of Cuba
	The Bus	3
	An Elegiac Carnival	5
	Simple Life	14
	Finding My House in El Cerro	18
	Communism and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance	22
	Ticket to Ride	34
	Picture This	38
	Under Havana's Hood	42
	Sweet Thing	46
	Havana When It Rains	51
	Making Music	55
	Havana Then and Now	65
Part 2	Some Things to Do
	Viva Los Diplomats	79
	Slow-Motion Island	92
	The House of Tango	101
	Fishing for Bone	110
	Museum Piece	117
	Bring on the Cubans!	122
	From Tip to Tail	126
	We All Scream for Ice Cream	140
	An Ernest Land	145
	Hitchhiker's Cuba	156
Part 3	Going Your Own Way
	Party Time	169
	You Beautiful Doll	176
	Remember the Maine?	181
	The Revolution's Cradle	191
	Havana Journal	199
	Our Mailman in Havana	203
	High Top, Low Stubble	206
	Tuning with the Enemy	215
	Heroes of Tourism	222
	Es Cuba	231
Part 4	In the Shadows
	The Conflicted Tourist	245
	A Strawberry and Chocolate Goodbye	248
	Havana at Midnight	254
	Cemetery Blues	264
	Hasta La Victoria Sometimes	270
Part 5	The Last Word
	Cycle of Love	279
	Recommended Reading	283
	Index	287
	Index of Contributors	289
	Acknowledgments	291