cuba

Welcome to the Tropicana, a casino cabaret which opened in 1931 and has operated 7 days a week since. Wikipedia and our tour guide stated Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Jack Nicholson have performed at the club. The revolution stopped the gambling portion and mobsters Lucky Luciano, Frank Bishop and Santo Trafficante were shown the door for trafficking drugs among the gambling operations. Today the cabaret is exclusively Cuban with song and dance all performed by scantily clad females and males who don feathers, glitter and head gear sometimes 3 feet tall. The club generates 2 million a year in revenue for the government who pays these dancers/government workers a top salary of $400/month. Currently the club has a school to teach young people how to become professional dancers for the venue.

This was a must see and while it is loud a seat close to the stage is the best vantage point.

Enough with history … a picture is worth a 1,000 words. On to the show!

**Performers carrying chandeliers on their heads**

Cuba at it’s finest. Hope you enjoyed the show.

Several times a month on Thursday I attend an art group. The four gals of the group are talented and since I do not possess that gene I watch, happy to be in their presence. The conversation is insightful and lively. Our leader has cruised extensively and I receive many travel tips from this gal.

Today I learn that regulations on visits to Cuba from the US are changing. I listen closely as Cuba was and is on my bucket list for travel. While on the Jordan trip many had been to Cuba, however, they were residents of Canada or the UK. When I arrived home from Jordan I reviewed the travel agencies they used and found them to be too “active” for me. While I long to see more than Havana, mountain biking in home stays is not the accommodations I seek. I also believe time is of the essence before the doors are closed.

Returning from art group I scanned sites as I had some time free in April. I found a 4 day cruise on a bargain site using a reputable cruise line. I depart in 3 days. Need to pack my bags! Cuba, here I come…

Young Retiree Needs a Life

reflections of what a 60ish female thinks and does

Day 3 Evening: Cuba Here I Come — The Tropicana

Thursday Art Group: Cuba Closing???