Mogotes by Marius Jovaisa. Click on the image to see many other photos and articles by David Sim such as: "The United States and Cuba have re-established embassies in each other's capitals, formally restoring diplomatic ties severed more than five decades ago".
The official version of the Cuban government about the meaning of the shapes and colors of the Cuban flag says that the blue stripes refer to the three old divisions of the island, the two white to the strength of the independent ideal, the red triangle stands for equality, fraternity and freedom as well as for the blood split in the struggle for independence and the lone star symbolizes the absolute freedom among the peoples M.V. Blanes , 19 Febuary 2000 / source: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/cu.html Why select Cuba for your Off Campus destination? Obama announced on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 that he was moving to reopen diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba The Island of Cuba is one of the few places in the Caribbean basin where the local culture and traditions remain somewhat isolated from the contemporary impacts of globalization. From what I have read and heard, if you come from a place where globalization and capitalism is all the rave, when you get there it will feel like stepping back in time. However, this will not be the case for long. At this particular moment in history we can research and learn from a Caribbean Island that despite immense and long standing political pressures has managed to retain its own sovereignty. Inevitably as soon as Cuba opens its doors to the world the impacts will reverberate through every thread of its cultural, social, economic and environmental fabric. The physical characteristics of the country today will also change drastically. As the Cuban economy transforms so will the use and form of Cuban public space. I invite you to join me in learning from Cuba and its residents as it goes through this metamorphosis. The conglomerate of my life experiences, professional expertise, research interests, knowledge of the Caribbean and language capabilities will allow me to guide you and your research to attain its maximum potential in this country. In Dec. 1st of 1881 Secretary of State James G. Blaine wrote: “That rich island (Cuba), is the key to the Gulf of Mexico, is, though in the hands of Spain, a part of the American commercial system…If ever ceasing to be Spanish, Cuba must necessarily become American and not fall under any other European domination” Cuba is not only "bursting with culture", beautiful weather, and delicious food; it's also a very safe country and a very affordable OFF CAMPUS OPTION. The Caribbean basin and Rimlands When referring to the Caribbean basin we refer to the descendants of the Spanish, English, French and Dutch Empires: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Netherlands Antilles (the main ones: Aruba and Curaçao), the French départements of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Cayenne, and the British colonies of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados (Randall and Mount 1998). Other perspectives The Pro's List AFFORDABILITY. You can have a great meal for 5 - 12 Cuban pesos. "The average salary for Cubans is 15 CUC per month, and the average price of tourist accommodation in Cuba 20 CUC" Claudia's blog SAFETY: "a safe country to travel alone, as a single woman, or even with children" Claudia's blog NOW ACCESIBLE VIA DIRECT FLIGHT FROM THE US - NYC The approximate cost ranges between $900 and 1,500 US dollars. On April 15th 2015 CheapAir became the first travel agency selling direct flights to Cuba. In the past many Americans flew to Cuba through Canada, Mexico, or Panama. Flying through Cancun is often cheap and Cubana Air flies to Cuba from there every day of the week. See more at: http://triphackr.com/book-flight-cuba-americans/#sthash.c3uiSFil.dpuf or Wait until Jetblue begins direct flights in December or book via a travel agency . SUNY ESF uses BTI THE RAIL SYSTEM! Although it sounds like you will need to fully embrace Island time to ride the train this gives you access to see other wonderful cities in Cuba such as Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad, Other local methods of transportation within La Habana include: cocotaxi, bicitaxi, old vintage cars, buses and horses. CUBA "WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO DETOX" that is from wifi, facebook, twitter, etc... There are internet cafes yet internet will be slow - Claudia's blog STAY IN TOUCH To communicate with your faculty, family and friends buy prepaid calling cards at ETECSA centres, to use at any phone - or send a regular text messages. Write in a blog every day and post when at an Internet cafe. Research in CubaSpending three months in Cuba would allow you to be one of the few contributing to fulfilling an incredible need and an immense gap in the Field of Landscape Architecture and related research within the Caribbean basin. Some research topic ideas: A. Plazas & Public Spaces of Cuba
B. A Cuban Landscape Transect along the stops of its main rail line: from La Habana to Santiago de Cuba . C. Urban decay/relics and urban landscape . an inventory *NOTE: As part of the Cuba group your research topic shall be or relate closely to one of the topics listed above. If it does not - you should be prepared to complete at least one of your field studies on an assigned topic related to public plazas. Research resources and assistance: I will have secured soon a great Off Campus Advisor and contact with the Universidad de la Habana - one of the oldest (1728) in the Americas and a very prestigious institution. Visa & required traveling documents ***We will travel under: Educational purpose and activities. The travel agency takes care of all reservations and visa requirements. I can help secure housing, contacts and a bilingual Off Campus Advisor through: Amstar and the ICAP.
In deciding to live and study in Cuba consider this:
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Hi and welcome to my blog for the Off Campus Program at the Department of Landscape Architecture at SUNY ESF. ArchivesCategories |