Latino Initiative-Cuba 2017 Nuts & Bolts

1. Latino Initiative-Cuba 2017 Nuts & Bolts Lorena Patterson, Program Director

2. Latino Initiative Cuba 2017 “Here was a place where real things were going on. Here was a scene of vital action. Here was a place where anything might happen”. -Winston Churchill, upon seeing Cuba for the first time

3. CUBA

4. Latino Initiative Cuba 2017 Seven Days. Three Cities. • Havana • Viñales • Mayabeque Three Major Areas • Health • Agriculture • Art

5. Latino Initiative Cuba 2017 • Passport Information • Flight information • Luggage allowance • Weather • Packing and Clothing • Immigration and Visas • Staying in touch • Hotels • Security and safety • Staying healthy /insurance coverage • Photography • Electricity • Time

6. Passport Passport must be valid at least 6 months from date of entry Leave one copy with family members, take a copy with you, give one to Go Global NC Keep passport in a safe place

7. Flight Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) February 25th American Airlines Flight #801 • Departure 8:50 am (Arrive 2 hours prior departure) March 4th American Airlines Flight #802 • Departure from Havana 1:15pm (Arrive3 hours prior departure)

8. Luggage • Luggage bags cannot exceed 70 lbs.Please place Go Global NC luggage tag on checked bag for easy ID. • Carry on bag cannot exceed 20 lbs and mustmatch airline requirements • Don’t pack any valuables • AA charges $25 per checked bag

9. Weather • Research weather conditions • online @ The Weather Channel: www.weather.com • Average temperatures in February • and March 75/63˚ F

10. Clothing and Packing Casual comfortable and one or two dinner outfits Lightweight and layered COMFORTABLESHOES Jewelry-leave valuables at home Don’t pack more than you are able to carry

11. Immigration Procedures Visa to Enter Cuba • There are 12 categories of entry. • The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) • People to People Visa • Reason for visiting

12. Staying in Touch • Internet (limited) • Calling home from Cuba-Verizon & ATT (check rates and roaming charges • From hotels-extremely expensive, average $3.00/minute

13. Money • Convertible Peso (CUC) • Conversion Rate: ~87 CUC =$1 US dollar • U.S. Banks cards will not work in Cuba • Cash only • Tipping • http://www.xe.com

14. Hotels • Hotel Nacional in Havana • Hotel Jazmines in Viñales • Hotel Plaza in Havana

15. Safety • Cuba-relatively safe, strong military and law enforcement presence • Keep passport in the hotel safe or in a safe place • Do not carry all your money with you • Stay with group and do not wander off alone

16. Health Don’t drink tap water. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth Unless the leader agrees, do not eat or drink beverages from street vendors. World Health Organization http://www.cdc.gov

17. Health Consult with your doctor about probiotics Bring sunblock and apply regularly every day Insect repellent OTC medicines of your preference

18. Health Insurance Covered through University’s plan Does cover medical emergency evacuation and repatriation Does NOT cover missed flights, trip cancellation, life insurance or lost luggage Carry card with you

19. Go Global NC’s Role for Safety • Communicates with international counterparts on local safety issues • Monitors State Department advisories and warnings • Registers your group with the State Department (STEP) program • http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go

20. Photography • Share your story by sharing your pictures - http://bit.ly/LICuba17 • Ask permission before you take a picture. • Do not take pictures of law enforcement or military.

21. Medications • Carry medicines in labeled prescription bottles with you • Take extra pairs of contacts or prescription glasses

22. Electricity • Some hotels use 220v and 110v • May want to bring a converter • Hair dryers usually offered in hotels

23. Time • Leisurely pace in Cuba • Be patient & open-minded • Be prepared-things may not go as planned • Keep in mind you are traveling with a group • Be on time • Have fun

24. Things to Leave at Home • Copies of: • Itinerary in Cuba • Flight Schedule • 1stPage of Passport • Emergency Contact Information

25. Pre-Departure Preparation • Visit the page we have created for you to get more information about Cuba: • Journaling • Get plenty of rest before traveling

26. Questions?

27. Review Itinerary (Havana) Saturday, February 25th Travel to Cuba - Casual Attire • 8:50am Depart North Carolina on American Airlines flight #801 • 11:18pm Arrive in Havana City and go through customs • 2:15pm Stop at the Plaza Revolución • 3:00pm Check into Hotel Nacional (enjoy appetizers and drinks at the patio while checking in) • 6:30pm Meet in lobby for departure to welcome reception in an Old Havana restaurant • 7:00pm Welcome dinner reception at Paladar La Giraldilla, Lorena Patterson, Program Director, Go Global NC and Saul Berenthal, Cleber Company • 9:30pm Depart back to hotel Sunday, February 26th Cuban History and theRevolution –Casual Comfortable Attire • 8:00am Breakfast in hotel Nacional • 10:00am Depart for guided tour of the four Plazas in Old Havana • 10:30am Guided tour of the four main plazas by Saul Berenthal • 12:30pm Lunch at Doña Eutimia • 1:45pm Depart for visit to Jewish Synagogue • 2:15pm Tour and explanation of the programs within the Synagogue • 3:30pm Depart back to hotel Nacional • 5:30pm Meet in lobby to leave for visit to local Havana families • 6:30pm Dinner at Host Family • 8:00pm Show at the Jazz Corner • 9:00pm Depart back to hotel

28. Review Itinerary (Havana) Monday, February 27th Cuba’s economy and business and Cuban life at the local level–BusinessCasual Attire • 8:00am Breakfast in hotel Nacional • 9:00am Depart for U.S. Embassy • 9:30am Briefing at U.S. Embassy by Bruce Kleiner, Public Affairs Officer (not yet confirmed ) • 10:30am Depart for Havana Club, presentation on economic development and business in Cuba • 11:00pm Presentation from Professor Humberto Blanco Rosales, University of Havana • 12:00pm Lunch at Havana Club • 1:15pm Depart for visit and tour of Hospital • 2:00pm Presentation and tour of Hospital Ramon Gonzalez Coro • 4:00pm Depart back to hotel • 5:00pm Meet in lobby for departure for dinnerin Vedado • 5:30pm Dinner presentation on the Cuban systems for private business owners • 7:00pm Depart for ParqueHistóricoMilitar Morro- Cabaña • 8:00 pm Arrive at the ParqueHistóricoMilitar Morro- Cabaña to experience the Canon Ceremony • 9:00pm Canon Ceremony reenactment • 9:30pm Depart back to hotel

29. Review Itinerary (Viñales) • Tuesday, February 28th The U.s In Cuba and Travel to Viñales- Comfortable Attire/ beach wear • 7:00am Breakfast and check out from hotel Nacional • 8:00am Depart for Viñales/CayoJutias beach • 12:00pm Lunch in CayoJutias restaurant • 3:30pm Depart for Vinales • 4:00pm Check-in Hotel JazminesViñales • 6:00pm Meet in lobby to go to the main square downtown • Dinner on your own • 8:00pm Meet at Centro Cultural Polo Montañez salsa night at Club (optional) • 10:30pm Back to hotel Jazmines Wednesday, March 1st Tabaco Plantation and visit to local families - Casual Comfortable Attire/Comfortable shoes to ride • 8:30am Breakfast in hotel Jazmines • 9:45am Depart for visits to tobacco and coffee plantations • 10:00am Horseback ridding tour of Tobacco and coffee plantation in Sierra Viñales • 12:00pm Lunch at Casa Campesina • 1:30pm Depart for visit to local families in Viñales • 3:00pm Back to hotel Jazmines • 6:00pm Depart for dinner at Alain’s • 6:30pm Dinner at Alain’s with invited local guests • 8:00pm Back to hotel Jazmines

30. Review Itinerary (Mayabeque/Havna) • Thursday, March 2nd,Agriculture, and Cuban Art Casual Comfortable Attire for morning and semiformal for evening • 8:00am Breakfast and check out hotel Jazmines • 9:00am Depart for Mayabeque • 12:30pm Tour and lunch at Farm explanation on the functions of the Agricultural Cooperative • 3:00pm Depart back to Havana • 4:00 pm Check in Hotel Plaza • 5:45pm Meet in lobby to leave for visit to artist workshop in Old Havana • 6:15pm Conversation with Internationally known artist Fabeloand his collgues at Fabelo’s workshop. • 7:30pm Dinner at Vistamarrestaurant • 9:00pm Visit to the Cuban Art Factory (optional) • 10:30pm Depart back to hotel Plaza Friday, March 3rdCigar Factory and Final Dinner Celebration (Comfortable Attire and formal attire for the gala) • 8:30am Breakfast in hotel • 9:30am Depart for Cigar Factory • 10:00am Tour of Cigar Factory Romeo and Julieta • 11:45am Tour of local Bodega, experience and learn the ration system for local Cubans at the local market • Lunch on your own (suggestions by Saul) • 6:30pm Meet in lobby to ride old vintage cars to the farewell dinner celebration at the Berenthal’s with invited guests • 9:30pm Return to hotel (prepare for departure next day

31. Review Itinerary (return to NC) Saturday, March 4thReturn to North Carolina -Casual Comfortable Attire • 8:30am Breakfast in hotel Plaza • 10:00am Depart for Havana airport • 1:15pm Depart back to North Carolina AA Flight #802 • 3:48pm Arrive in North Carolina

32. Further Questions? Contact: Lorena Patterson, Program Director Office 919 237-7861 Cell 919 607-7651 Email lpatterson@northcarolina.edu