Havana Arrival
Although the Cuban government didn't issue our visas until two days before our scheduled departure, we took off, as planned, on the one chartered flight per week from New York to Havana.
Escort
Enrique Moret Hernández, our escort from the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, greeted us and gave us our itinerary for the week. That's him on the left, with Boyce Rensberger, Director of the Knight Fellowships.
Man & Nature
Our first meeting was with members of El Hombre y la Naturaleza, an environmental NGO. Their conference table doubles as an exhibit case.
Presidenta
Gisela Alsono Dominguez, head of the Environment Agency, spoke to us about Cuba's environmental initiatives, as well as the challenges facing the island nation.
Knight Gang
We had a busy schedule, visiting an AIDS house and a city hospital. We spoke with Sergio Jorge Pastrana, Foreign Secretary of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, about the role of Cuban scientists within the international community. In between official events, we explored the back streets of Havana.
Malecon
It was unseasonably cold in Havana (though 50 degrees warmer than Cambridge) as we walked along the Malecon.
Museo de la Revolución
We toured the Museum of the Revolution and saw this diorama of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara on patrol in the Sierra Maestra.
Nature Reserve
We drove out of Havana to visit La Sierra del Rosario Nature Reserve. After watching an endless PowerPoint presentation inside, Pamela Andiba got her feet wet in a cold stream.
Urban Agriculture
Shortages of both gas and fertilizer have necessitated the growth of sustainable organic farms within the city limits of Havana. Nelso Companioni Concepción, Vice-Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, took us on a tour of vegetable gardens.
Biotech
We visited El Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología to learn about Cuba's effort in genetics and biotechnology.
Science & Politics
Luis Herrera Martinez, Director General of the Center, answered our questions about how U.S. foreign policy affects Cuba's ability to carry out world-class research.
Vaccine Research
At the Finlay Institute we spoke with Concepción Campa Huergo, President of the Institute and head of the Cuban team that developed a vaccine against meningococcal meningitis.
Havana Knights
Our last (and best) dinner in Havana was at the popular paladar, La Guarida. The three small rooms of this converted apartment are as noteworthy as the cooking.
When in Havana...
Fellow Ruth Bellinghini enjoyed a Montercristo and a Mojito on the night before our flight home.
