Tagged With "Casa Rosada"
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Re: Casa Bacardi Rum Plant, San Juan, Puerto Rico
I've visited the Bacardi plant too, and remember being quite impressed by it. As I recall, the original was in Cuba and the family moved to P.R. to escape Castro. And I'm proud to see you standing after those free samples! Thanks for the post.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
It's big news - BBC had an interview with one of the Airbnb guys this evening, talking about just this. I'm getting ready, just watched 'Our Man in Havana', (1959, Alec Guinness).
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
The internet is accessible for most people in Cuba. Phone lines are still a rare item for private houses. Many share a local service with business and families using the same web address. Just like we used to - when we shared a public phone. Yes - years ago - I know !
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
I know this is open to double meaning in this context...but yes, I remember sharing a party line. Leavenworth, KS, 1951. Our number was 779-J and we were #10 of the 12 families on the line. There was a distinct ring for each family...can't remember ours (I was 7 at the time).
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Did it go Brrr....Brrr... or was that the Polar Bear without his coat on ? Yes party lines were great fun if you picked up the receiver when someone else was talking.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Garry, it seems like you were a naughty boy. I suspect you actually took part in some of these party line calls, rendering some good advice, I'm sure -- whether wanted or not.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Don't remember exactly what it sounded like, but I remember what my mother sounded like when she caught me listening...
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Ours was 2 shorts and a long (or was it 2 longs and a short?), also early '50s, Danville, California. It was an idyllic new subdivision in the rolling golden hills, golf course next door and a community pool under the oaks, a short walk from home. It would never have occurred to us that a party line made life any less wonderful.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Apparently Airbnb in Cuba, so far, is only for Americans who have permission to go there.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Many of my Canadian friends travel independently to Cuba. They all stay with these guys -Pinot and Agnia. Too far from Havana to travel but it will give you a taste of what to expect from Casa Particulars. http://www.hostalpinoyagnia.com/
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Re: A Month in Chiapas
I'm curious if you'd return to either of the Airbnb rooms you used during this stay? And why?
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Re: A Month in Chiapas
I think I'd have to say, probably not. Neither was perfect and we're always looking for some sort of perfection, aren't we? I am certainly, not a member of the "it's only a place to sleep" club. It's my home for the time I'm there & even on a paltry budget, I'm fussy. I liked the 1st place, in part because I had it to myself nearly the entire 2 weeks. But the bed wasn't great. The 2nd place (located on booking.com, my other favorite site) was very comfortable but the noise would rule it...
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Re: Malta: Casa Rocca Piccola
Another great article and pictures, PortMoresby. So glad you enjoyed your stay in Malta and to have a personal guided tour of Casa Rocca Piccola must have been a bonus for you.
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Casas Particulares in Cuba
Visiting Cuba has forever changed the way I view accommodations when I travel now. For one I was always a chain hotel kind of girl racking up my points and being loyal to said luxury chains. I had the option to book luxury hotels in Havana...
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Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Jumping ahead of the airlines and hotel chains, Airbnb has opened its first list of lodgings available in Cuba, mostly rooms in existing "Casas Particulares," which are private rentals of rooms in homes. Airbnb, famous for "disrupting" the lodging...
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Mar. 5, 2017: Casa Alcaldía, Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jonathan L shows us this 1840s stained-glass flamboyan tree, the largest secular artwork in Puerto Rico at the time.
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A Tour of Stained Glass in Old San Juan
Old San Juan has a wealth of gorgeous stained glass in a variety of styles. Jonathan L shows us some of the best.
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Casa Batlló: At Home with Antonio Gaudi
Antonio Gaudi is the most famous of the Catalan modernist architects whose work in the late 1800s and early 1900s gave Barcelona a reputation for innovation and a trove of works that, whatever their original use, are significant tourist sites...
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Where in the World was Gumbo #51 - Park Guell Barcelona
Congratulations to PortMoresby for recognizing that this market place is in Park Guell in Barcelona. The park was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. He is best known for designing in the Modernisme style. One identifying...
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Malta: Casa Rocca Piccola
In November of 2012 I boarded a container ship in Singapore, and in December I disembarked in Malta. My original plan had been to land in Port Said, after sailing through the Suez Canal, but the political situation in Egypt dictated...
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Casa Bacardi Rum Plant, San Juan, Puerto Rico
A factory visit with a twist: Samantha takes us to the home of some of the world's favorite rums.
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A Month in Chiapas
After 2 visits to Oaxaca, PortMoresby moves on for a long anticipated stay farther south in Chiapas, Mexico.
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Walkabout, San Cristóbal
PortMoresby is a walker and discovers immediately on arrival that San Cristóbal de las Casas is a delightful place to do just that.
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Eating Out in San Cris
With a month to discover what Chiapas has to offer, PortMoresby isn't disappointed by her culinary adventures in the far south of Mexico.
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Dia de los Muertos, San Juan Chamula
PortMoresby's experience of Day of the Dead in Chiapas, Mexico will go down as one of the most memorable in over half a century of travel.
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A Month in Chiapas
Just what it says, a multi-chapter look at Chiapas in the far south of Mexico.
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June 11, 2019: Near the MALBA, Buenos Aires
DrFumblefinger turns a disappointment into an opportunity to make a pleasant discovery about a lovely home in Palermo.
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Home & Museum, Na Bolom
A high priority during a month in Chiapas, Mexico, PortMoresby visits the San Cristóbal de las Casas museum dedicated to the work & lives of an exceptional couple, Gertrude Duby & Frans Blom.
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Grocery Shopping, San Cristóbal
With a month to enjoy herself in southern Mexico and tidy kitchens available in her accommodations, PortMoresby sets out to buy groceries.
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Two Museums, San Cristóbal de las Casas
The Templo de Santo Domingo was closed for earthquake repairs but the 2 museums in the adjacent ex-convento were open, including the Maya textile museum, much to PortMoresby’s delight.
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San Cristóbal’s Real de Guadalupe
On the pedestrian street in Centro that seems to be on the way to everywhere, PortMoresby enjoys a walk along San Cristóbal’s Real de Guadalupe and on to the white church watching from its hill.
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Trinidad, Cuba: a Beautiful Colonial Gem
Jonathan L takes us on a tour of Trinidad, Cuba, one of the oldest cities in the Americas
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April 8, 2019: Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires
DrFumblefinger visits the lovely "PinkHouse" in Buenos Aires, home of the office of the country's president. It is likely best known for its association with Eva Perón, who often addressed her admirers from one of its balconies.
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Zapatistas & Comandanta Ramona
Images of the Zapatista Movement in the far south of Mexico are everywhere, constantly reminding PortMoresby of the ongoing struggle for rights and equality.
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Airbnb has Cuba news, too: Open to all visitors
Airbnb, previously limited to Cuba rentals for U.S. residents, can now begin booking anyone into its network of 'casas particulares' in Cuba.
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Walking the Walls of Old San Juan, Part 2
Jonathan L continues his walking tour of Old San Juan
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
Thanks for this great view of what sounds like a great experience. For U.S. citizens like me, thinking about traveling to Cuba for the first time, it sounds like a great alternative (we're usually apartment rather than hotel people). Can you add information on how to find and book? I notice that Airbnb is not doing business there (yet?)
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
I'm also curious how you find out and book a Casas Particulares. It sounds like a good option and I especially like the chance to get to know Cubans while directly helping them out (instead of just big resorts and government).
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
There is this website I had browsed before going http://www.casaparticular.com In my case a friend put me on to the one in Trinidad where he had stayed. On contacting them they offered to help me book similar Casas within the same price range in the other cities. I guess they all try to help each other out this way. Thankfully they have email etc to make it easy to communicate. There are so many that some backpackers etc prefer showing up and seeing what's available, in some cases bargaining...
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
Cuba uses 2 currencies. The local peso and the tourist Peso. You must use the Tourist Peso. The CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso). Often just called the Kuk. It's value is tied to the US Dollar and always equals $1 US to 1 CUC. 1 CUC is a good days wage in Cuba. It is worth 24 local pesos. Cuba's main asset is the people. Always friendly and helpful. Workers in hotels and the tourist industry often speak 5 languages. Food for the locals is on ration and is in short supply. You rarely get beef as...
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Re: Trinidad, Cuba: a Beautiful Colonial Gem
Jonathan - Did you get a chance to taste the sugar cane ? There are some wonderful old railway lines serving the plantations with ancient rolling stock to be admired. I'll be back soon to take more pix.
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Re: Trinidad, Cuba: a Beautiful Colonial Gem
I did not taste the cane on this trip, although I grew up with fresh cane for sale.at.corner bodega in NYC. I knew about the trains from a episode of "globetrekkers" on PBS, and would love to take it the next time I get here.
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Re: Dia de los Muertos, San Juan Chamula
Fascinating to have experienced this day so up close. I await next week's installment!
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Re: Zapatistas & Comandanta Ramona
One of the best posts ever. Thanks for reminding us all that struggles continue and events do not live in only a single day or place.
