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 : 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). IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND 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). 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
Elsewhere Goes To Cuba
December 31 – January 8, 2017
Salvador Gonzáles Escalona and other Cuban muralists, Callejón de Hamel, 1990-present. Image by George Scheer, 2017.
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 DirectorImage courtesy of Philip Freelon, 2017.
Image courtesy of Philip Freelon, 2017.
OVERVIEW
ACCOMODATIONS
THE BRIGADE
PREPARATIONS