Highlights in Guaimaro, Bayamo & El Cobre Pilgrimage Site

On day 11 of the Cuba tour, we have a long transfer day from Guaimaro, through Bayamo and "El Cobre" - Cuba's holiest pilgrimage site - to the southernmost point of our three-week journey through Cuba: Santiago de Cuba.

On the way, we stop in Guáimaro, where we're advised to try a local specialty: a bottle of a beverage that tastes like fried bacon with carbonation... definitely not to our taste, but we drink up as a thank you.

The next stop is around 1 PM in Bayamo, the capital of Granma province. This region was the starting point for Cuba's independence movement. Here, Cuba's national anthem, "La Bayamesa," was sung for the first time.

You can find the lyrics and sheet music for the anthem in Parque Cespedes. In 1868, Cespedes' wife sewed the first national flag from her own clothes. It was then blessed in Bayamo. Afterward, Cubans burned that same flag so that it wouldn't fall into the hands of the invading Spaniards. A sign was put up in the central square that reads "Plaza de la Revolucion." Around this square, you will also find the main attractions that you can explore in a short time.

We get to hear Cuba's national anthem performed at the Plaza de la Himno Nacional.

Then we go to Casa de la Trova, a real tourist trap that I unfortunately cannot recommend. A band sings a few well-known Cuban songs, and we are shown some dance steps to go along with them. Afterward, the band asks for 10 CUC for their CD - self-burned, of course... some people buy it, but I do not.

Right at Parque Cespedes begins the shopping street, Calle General García. The pedestrian zone also has an ATM in case you run out of cash. However, the food stalls along the street are mostly empty - thanks to the embargo. You can't find water, but there is plenty of sugary soda and, of course, rum.

Even the pharmacy on the street has empty shelves, and we wonder if Cuba's supposedly good healthcare system is limited to hospitals. It's terrible.

Before we head to Santiago de Cuba, we make a stop at "El Cobre" - the Basilica of Our Lady of Cobre, Cuba's holiest pilgrimage site and the shrine of Cuba's national saint: La Virgen de la Caridad (Virgin of Charity).

What we experience here is incredible. Inside, there are even jerseys and gold medals from Cuba's most famous athletes as offerings. Additionally, the poorest of the poor donate money while many of them live in tin shacks at the foot of the Basilica. The contrast between the ostentation of the Catholic Church and the poverty could not be greater.

After that, we continue on to Santiago de Cuba.

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