Away at 8 a.m. with our first stop the Centre of Sancti Spiritus. On a short walking tour we visited the magnificent Bibleotechca (library), a former mansion, where a group of students were studying anatomy. Across the way was a market where we were amazed at the small portion cones used to sell potatoe chips. (Pay attention obese North Americans.)

We passed through Ciego de Avila and Florida (Cuba) on our way to Camagüey where we booked into a beautiful old hotel restored in 1927 — Hotel Colon.

Founded in 1514 under the name of Puerto Principe, and the center of nearly 490 years of history, Camagüey is also known as the City of Tinajones due to the continuing presence of big clay containers. Years ago, they were used for storing rainwater. After founding a coastal village, the inhabitants decided to go inland as a way of avoiding pirate and corsair attacks. Because of the intricate street netword resulting from a need to protect istself from pirate attacks we toured the city on bicitaxis — a new adventure. Our first stop was Plaza de Los Trabajadores - Plaza de La Merced (The Worker’s Square) We toured the home of a local hero from the Spanish wars, now a museum— “Birth House of Ignacio Agramonte” and stopped by the El Teatro Principal (Principal Theater). We even visited a normally "for Cuban's only" farmer's market. Checking out the important squares we visited San Juan de Dios Plaza where we came across children practicing dancing getting ready for a 15th birthday coming out party and dropped in at an artist's workshop. The La Plaza del Carmen is a well conserved area and we returned to this restored area for dinner and an evening show which appeared to stop abruptly following a presentation in drag — not a performance one would expect in Cuba. So we were swept down the dark streets to our hotel on our bicitaxis — another most interesting day.

Camagüey's colonial architecture has survived in the shape of its special roofs, ironworks, huge doors, magnificent patios, squares, churches and alleys. All these attractions are the result of various initiatives undertaken during the 19th century war of independence against the Spanish colonial system.

For more information, check these Cuban websites:

La Plaza del Carmen

Museo “Casa Natal de Ignacio Agramonte" "Birth House of Ignacio Agramonte”

El Teatro Principal

Plaza de Los Trabajadores - Plaza de La Merced -The Worker’s Square

Index — Cuba - As It Was in 2003