Ryan Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 So I’m finally getting around to writing something about the festival this year, sorry for the delay, things have been busy here since I’ve been back. Great time again this year though a certain Prez from here was missed, more than once. I got in to Havana the week before the festival and ran around places I wanted to see before things got busy on the Sunday evening. Had a really nice chat with Amir Saarony at Partagas, bumped into some other Irish and Americans in the back room, having a whale of a time in Cuba. I asked quite a few people if they had noticed many changes since the state layoffs were announced, to mixed responses. Most had seen no change at all, though Hamlet’s brother has given up cigar rolling and now runs a barber shop, and I’d wish him all the best. The RyJ shop where Hamlet works is going great thanks to the two to three cruise ships pulling into Havana every week, a lot of the travellers get bussed to that shop to be shown what a cigar is. I saw more flower sellers than last year and at one point one of us saw two clowns riding a bike (not the Fox brothers!) so private industry does seem to be opening up a bit. Many paladares I was in had way more than the two tables supposedly previously allowed, and if it’s supposed to be family members only working in them, some paladar owner has been blessed with 3 sets of very attractive 20 year old quintuplets. I didn’t go to many of the official events, Leo Brouwer was the act in the Gran Teatro for the opening night, there was more than one groan of “Oh for the love of crumb-cakes” at the start of each new number. The 3D Partagas movie was quite impressive though. The food at the events again was awful, I had a an hors d’oeuvre that tasted like omelette soaked in swimming pool and had to concentrate very hard not to blow it all over the marble floor. The food in the paladares and some of the government run places is getting better, to the point where a foodie can now absolutely eat well and get variety in Havana. The sea food special in El Guajirito was a highlight, not to mention the flamenco practice in the theatre space beside it. Well worth a look. The cigars were smoking great this year, all of the house cigars were made with very good, well conditioned tobacco. Yolanda’s corona extras and Mons’ Monsdales were the standouts of the week for me. Though I picked up a panatela off the bench at the Habana Libre one afternoon, no ligero, no seco, just volado and one of the sweetest wrappers I’ve ever smoked. Lovely little cigar, I can still taste it. Plenty of jars of Partagas P1s and Upmann Noellas available. LGC Deliciosos getting scarce and possibly none left by now. We met Carlos Robaina at his shop and gave him my condolences, though I’m sure he’s tired of hearing it. Some of the crew went out to meet Hirochi last Friday, but having got to bed a 6am for the fifth day in a row, I overslept, I just couldn’t manage it. We went out to El Laguito to see some friends we met here in the past, it’s always nice, the atmosphere there is quite different to the other factories, there’s a suburban calmness to the place. Hamlet organised a private tour of the old RyJ/new Upmann factory for us, a fantastic host and again, great stories. On the night of the Gala dinner we bumped into Nino on the terrace of the Nacional and skipped out to El Aljibe for a quiet chat. Always great to spend time with Nino. For want of a better term, it’s a reassuring experience. The highlight of the trip had to be the baseball on the Saturday afternoon, but that’s another thread.. Great to see everybody there again this year, Hamlet, Jose (Punch Joe), Berta, Simon Chase, David Lewis, Rob, Stuart and David from Foxes, Nino, Jimmy Ng, Ajay, Albert, Wishnu from PCC, Ameeta and Ambika Seth from Cingari and some new faces. I met Armando for the first time and we got him out to the Gato Tuerto despite some shenanigans. Of course, special mention must go to the lovely Bogusha of Foxes who mucked in with the rest of us and put up with the habits and odours of nine guys on tour for a week. Very impressed. I think I’m finding out why Cuba has got into to my veins so much, there’s something about Cuban logic that appeals to the Irish sense of humour. Here’s an example, a little to and fro between one of the guys, Dara, and a waiter at the Nacional, “Can I have a ham and cheese sandwich?” “No ham and cheese sandwich today, just the Cuban sandwich.” “What’s a Cuban sandwich?” “Ham, cheese and pork.” “OK, I’ll have the Cuban sandwich without the pork?” “Sorry, no ham and cheese. Today the Cuban sandwich is just pork.” A lot of people would find that infuriating, I’m still smiling thinking about it Try as I might, with the amount of rum consumed, it’s a week I’ll never forget and I don’t think I’m the only one looking forward to next year already. Some pictures New Cigars at the convention centre Various Flamenco practice, I love this picture. The great man, of course that's Nino beside him. I was telling Nino I was going to be the streaker for the baseball game. He said I should have Habanos advertising on me, I told him a banner with "Partagas Sobresalientes" would be perfect for a certain part of me. Conde de Villnueva Guy, I’m afraid Sloppy Joe’s is still a sorry sight. From the look of those concrete blocks, I wouldn’t have high expectations for the quality of the restoration, but you never know. Rob and Stuart will kill me for these but they’ll have to get in line after my wife. Last sunset in Havana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 A couple of videos. Finally some recognition at H Upmann. Viva Senor Andy! For those who couldn't make it, some reminiscing. If you haven't been there before, this is a very common view, though usually even more blurry. The music on the radio is particularly apt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thanks so much Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckearns Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 so awesome! Thanks for putting these up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Great photos. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I'd really like to make my way down to the festival some day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmighty Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Very neat, thanks for sharing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 What a wonderful recap. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I am almost in tears I had to miss it Andy.....The Irish and Aussies are the most fun loving people there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazolaman Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thanks for posting this. I loved the "Cuban sandwhich conundrum"! Also,the Flamenco practice reminds me of being at the Sevilla when a young couple performed the most romantic flamenco I've seen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genevapics Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing them with the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laficion Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Andy, Great photos and great videos. Thank you so much for bring back some great memories of Havana and the car ride on the Malecon,( have done it so many times ). On one occasion we even walked it from La Bodeguita del Medio to the Hotel Nacional. There's no better way to sober up then a LONG walk on the Malecon plus all the people you can meet Also, thank you for checking up on Sloppy Joe's Bar, I really HOPE that they'll do a decent job and that someday life will come back to this historic Bar. Bravo l'ami Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartolomeo Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thanks for sharing Andy, great stuff! Bart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anacostiakat Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Magnificent! By God, I want those RA's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZCUBAN Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Great Post Andy Makes me feel like i was almost there, one day i hope to be ,sound like you had a really good time ,once again thanks for sharing Cheers OZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dbone Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Dude, sounded like you had a killer time. Thanks a ton for the report, great stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc8436 Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Awesome report and pics! Thanks for sharing, I really have to make it a point to visit Cuba at some point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckSARTech Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Very cool. While I've been to Cuba a couple of times, never to the Festival. I long to do it, in due time - I'd relish the comraderie. And Bart - love the new avatar (fishtailing golfcarts!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkz Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks for sharing! Especially the stinky-hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adic88 Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks for sharing, i love travelogue posts like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellery Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks for the post, really enjoyed the pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dicko Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks so much for sharing Andy! great pics and yarn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#2 man Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Andy, Thanks for sharing all these great moments !!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thechenman Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks for sharing those great pictures and the details of your trip. Sounds like a great time was had by all of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCgarman Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Thanks for the vids, gives me an impression of how things really look there. US embargo or not, I will be there one of these years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habanakane21 Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Just so many photos and I suppose great memories for you. I'd be lying if I said i was happy for you..lol So jealous...Those pics of the cigars are fantastic. Thanks for your time and your story, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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