Big Day

[Stewmuse]

We took a day trip to the capital yesterday with a few folks from school. It was mostly recon for us, as we'd never been to the colonial zone and want to take a longer trip later when we can actually take it in. Trying to soak up some history in a day's time is tiring and ineffective - and we were actually there to take the kids to see The Nutcracker before heading back to Santiago. There's just something about 500 year old buildings that is cool, though, so I'll definitely be going back.

There were a number of small cigar operations sprinkled throughout the Colonial Zone. Didn't make it into any, but it's on my list for next time.

What might be the possibility of walking around a farm or field? A curing barn would also be awesome...

[Kip]

When I said "cigar operations" I meant small, touristy cigar shops. This area is the historical district of Santo Domingo. It's in the city by the water - no real tobacco sights to speak of; just a lot of history dating back to Columbus and his ilk.

[Kip]

On that front, though, I'm hitting a lot of roadblocks. We might just pull over and start walking around a field until someone tells us to get out....

[Stewmuse]

When I said "cigar operations" I meant small, touristy cigar shops. This area is the historical district of Santo Domingo. It's in the city by the water - no real tobacco sights to speak of; just a lot of history dating back to Columbus and his ilk.

I wasn't referring to this area specifically, but your comment did remind me to ask...

[kurtdesign1]

What's the significance of the "colonial zone"? I've never heard that term before.

[Kip]

It's where the earliest settlement of Santo Domingo occurred. 500 year old stuff. I dig it.

Sent from cigar country via smoke signal...

[Zedman05]

Reminds me of why I wanted to stay in and explore Old Havana. You just don't get that "cool old shit" factor anywhere else in this hemisphere.

[Kip]

In many Latin communities, Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) is more the celebratory day than Christmas. It was with the Cuban folk I knew back in Florida, and it definitely is here. Before I went to bed last night, the (literally) mouthwatering aroma of a gazillion roasting pigs was already filling my neighborhood. Those who can, roast a pig for the family....but if you don't have a pig available, there will be someone selling it on every corner of the city today. I just got up from sleeping and I can't even begin to tell you how delightful it was to wake up to this smell.



Sent from cigar country via smoke signal...

[jledou]

That sounds awesome. Feliz Navidad Senior Hillbilly!

[Kip]

Put a crack in my noggin...