Ross Cruickshank has written an article which has been published in a magazine called SEC-ED. To view it please go to www.sec-ed.co.uk, then press digital edition, look for the Scottish edition from the 27th of August and finally find pages 12-13.
MM
Hola parents, todos/das,
Thanks very much for coming along to share the Cuban trip photos and the excellent video made by Murray. It was certainly a very enjoyable evening for parents, participants and teachers.
The photos will say how much fun we had.
Have a great Summer,
MM
Hola todos/das,
Thanks to all those who came at lunch time today. It was great to see you all again and being able to get your valuable feedback. Thanks also for the photos and hope to get more from everyone else.
The meeting with parents will be on Wednesday the 1st of July at 5:00 with lots pictures see.
Looking forward to seeing you all then,
MM
CostaSur hotel, Ancona Península bus journey to Havana
Once we had breakfast and packed up all our stuff it was time to leave!! We all couldn’t believe the time had come. Our journey today on the nice air-conditioned bus, which was a big plus as it was really hot outside, was going to take about 5 hours. Many of us were tired and so went to sleep, not for me; Euan Ham came to sit next to me just for a few minutes, 3 hours later we were still chatting. After stopping for lunch at a mini dinner we had our last stretch of journey before hitting Havana. It was so weird being back in Havana as it had seemed so long since we were there but it had only been about a week.
- Rosie
Visit to the convent – Hand out donations
Before heading to the airport we stopped off at the convent that Annie and Lewis visited on Sunday, to leave them some donations. They told us that lots of children and other Cubans will benefit from the stationary, musical instruments, soap and medicines that we gave them, which we are all glad about. We all sat down together and the nuns gave us lemonade, then talked to us about the good work they do all over the world. We had time to take some photographs there before saying adiós to the nuns and getting back on the coach to go to the airport. –
Shona
Flight to Paris
The flight was not too bad but much to everyone’s disappointment the same films were playing as on the way there, although it seemed a little shorter than on the way there because we slept. Also, we experienced a lot of turbulence and also a rather rough landing, but aside from that and the food it wasn’t too bad, would do it again.
Flight to Edinburgh
A very good one. Most had a good sleep, good landing but a bit delay leaving the plane. Family and friends waiting for all of us.
Can’t wait to talk about the Cuban experience with all friends and family!
HOLA DAD,
Two more blogs posted from Havana airport. Already checked in and just waiting to board the plane
Richard
Happy dad’s day dad. Have a good day and I’ll give you a Cuban present when I get back.
Jack
Hola Papa, hope you have a nice day and the weather is good! See you both in a month J xxx
Mike R
Have a happy fathers day!!!!!!! Hope you have a joyful time. Jx
Mike S
Happy fathers day! See you tomorrow 
.
Ewan B
Hi dad, happy father’s day, have a good time. See you soon.
Annie
Hey papa, have a good father’s day, I’ll see you when I get back vlakas. Love Annie x
Lewis
Have a good fathers day. Hope Ellen gets you something because I forgot!!
Rosie
Happy Father’s Day!!!!!!!!Hey Papa, having a great time and your photography tips has come in useful!!! Love you loads and hope you haven’t missed me too much! Love Rosie (your 3rd daughter)
Ross
Hey dad its Ross, happy fathers day hope you have a good one! Cya when I get back love you
Callum
Hey dad having a great time in Cuba, but glad to be coming back and hope you have a fantastic fathers day.
Olmo
Hi dad Cuba is great lots of sun and very hot I hope you will have a great fathers day and I am happy to come back to Edinburgh were it is not so hot.
Murray
Happy Father’s Day Dad, see you on Monday, love you.
Canta
I’ve had a great time in Cuba, thank you very much, have a great an prosperous father’s day.
Shona
Hola padre! Have a great father’s day! Having an amazing time, see you soon! Love you! J xxx
Josh
Hey daddykins/lord foster. I’ve had a good time, but looking forward to getting back. Happy fathers day.
Euan H
Hi dad have a great day hope Jamie had a god day see you when I get back lots of love
euan
Highlights of MY CUBAN EXPERIENCE
Euan H
My favourite part of our Cuban trip was going to the second school when we danced and played music all the children were really welcoming they performed 3 dances then showed us some moves; naturally having two left feet is no advantage but I still really enjoyed it. Then we went to play some sports, baseball and basketball which looked great fun
Ewan B
My favourite parts of the holiday were the days spent in Havana. The environment in the city was great, it was so different from Edinburgh, and the hotel was situated in really good location, right in the city centre next to the famous capitol building. The classic cars were amazing, and the food was nice but a bit repetitive.
Annie
My highlight was in Havana when we went to a restaurant called Zaragoza where we saw a live Cuban music group. They played local Cuban music and some Buena Vista Social Club and some of the group did Flamenco dancing. The food was really good and the group were amazing to see.
Ross
I can quite comfortably say that out of everything we were involved in I had the most fun in both of the schools. The first because it was something I had never seen before and the conditions were totally different from our school. I loved that a kindergarten class sang a song for Jack and myself, it was quite moving. I enjoyed playing sports in the second school although the heat meant that we finished looking like we had just jumped in a pool! Overall the warm welcome we received from both schools along with the friendliness of the pupils and teachers was definitely the highlight of my trip and I hope to keep in touch via letter with some of them. I would definitely come back!
Callum
Every part of the trip was fantastic, except when I was ill, but I have to say my favourite part of the trip was definitely when we visited the second school. The atmosphere and excitement present in the school was definitely something that I had never experienced before, all the kids there were so welcoming and willing to learn more about our country, as were we to learn about theirs.
Canta
I enjoyed most aspects of the trip, especially exploring a totally new and different culture but my fondest memories will be the hours spent with my friends from school. I have never felt too close to any of the other pupils on the trip and I really liked the opportunity to get to know some of my classmates better and have a laugh in a more casual and relaxed setting. I liked speaking to the locals who were all very friendly and easy to talk to. It was a good opportunity to reconnect with my Spanish skills and associate with a different society.
Shona
I have enjoyed every part of this trip, but if I have to pick something it would be the visits to the schools, as meeting the children and finding out about their lives was an unforgettable experience. Dancing and playing with them was so much fun, and it was really interesting to see how Cuban schools work. I also really enjoyed the salsa lessons in Havana, as my partner was a great dancer and taught me well; being able to dance traditional Cuban dances by the end was so rewarding, and I had loads of fun.
Olmo
My highlights of the Cuba trip was going to the museum of Che. I found it very interesting because I am very interested in Che and the revolution. I also enjoyed going to see how cigars are made and the walk after. I found the fruit that the old man gave us was very nice and is the best fruit I have ever had.
Murray
My highlight was most definitely the school visits and the tour through the cave. The schools were so good because the pupils were unbelievably nice and willing to show us dances and tell us about their culture. It was also made good by the willingness of our group, dancing and playing sports, like baseball and basketball. The walk through the cave was probably so enjoyable because it was a limestone cave which I learnt about in geography, it was very interesting to see all the things we had learnt about in real life.
Lewis
I really enjoyed the salsa dancing at the beginning of the trip, as it allowed us to enjoy the traditional dance and music for the rest of our stay. Another highlight was visiting the second school. They were very kind and friendly and appeared as though they enjoyed our presentations about Scotland. I also hit a home run in the Cuban national sport of baseball – wearing a kilt!!
Josh
There was a lot of good times that I had on this trip, but my favourites were definitely going to Havana, making videos in free time and going to the Cuban schools. The schools were probably the best thing that we did as the people were so friendly and it was a great experience, especially playing baseball. I enjoyed the culture of Havana and seeing the old towns and old cars was fantastic. Thanks again Mr Montenegro.
Rosie
Where do I start! My favourite day was the first when we learned the Salsa!!! The people were so nice and amazingly I was able to dance and get it right. Another highlight were the schools, it was so nice to see other students from another country but mainly to see the pupils dancing and then allowing us to join in. It was an unforgettable experience.
Richard
On the whole, the trip was fantastic. My favourite place was Havana. It seemed like a place from the past with retro cars and very old buildings. I also enjoyed going to the schools, especially the second one as they welcomed us and let us play basketball and baseball with them. When we left, they were all cheering and treating us like celebrities which was very weird. Going to Cuba was a very interesting experience and it was great to experience a culture that was totally new to me.
Jack
I have a few highlights but I’d have to say that my favourite was the second school that we visited! I had an amazing time and it was a great experience. Especially when we played basketball and baseball, even though it was almost impossible to play because of the heat! They were really kind and when we left them, they all went to the school gates and clapped at us. It was an unbelievable experience!
Mike R
My highlight of the whole trip would have to be the school trip. Being able to experience a part of school life in Cuba and meet the students, was great! We were warmly welcomed into a friendly environment, by the students and teachers at the school. They also taught us how to play proper baseball, and we also had very good match, but since we weren’t as good has they were, so we kind of lost, but then we had a basketball match, where we ripped them apart, with our star player Jack! After that amazing experience, we wouldn’t of thought it could get better, but it did as we were about to leave the school, at the entrance a lot of students we had met stood and applauded us. At this moment I’m sure everyone of us felt like a star, it was a great experience!
Mike S
To be honest, it’s really difficult to name one specific highlight as the whole trip has been really fantastic. Meeting the people from the Cuban schools was very enjoyable and it gave a very hands-on experience of Cuban culture. The food was also very good, although it did seem to lack in diversity as the end of the trip neared. I think the effort that the teachers and José (the tour guide) put into ensuring that our trip allowed us such a clear insight in Cuban culture and life that I appreciate the most. Definitely one of the best holidays I’ve ever had, and I’m sure will remain as such.
Miss Roberts
This trip has been truly fantastic. We have experienced so much in such a short space of time and I have been overwhelmed at the Cuban hospitality. Our pupils are an absolute credit to themselves and I feel honoured and blessed to work with such a remarkable team of individuals. They have been outstanding. I feel that we owe an enormous thanks to Mr Montenegro for all his enthusiasm, hard work over the past year in organising the trip and commitment and dedication to every single pupil that has travelled with us. On a personal note, I know that I will be eternally grateful for all his support and example. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with both him and Mr Lovett who has also been extremely supportive and enthusiastic. I very much hope to return to Cuba in the near future for it is a truly remarkable country. In spite of all their hardship, the Cuban people are determined to succeed and I very much hope that they will soon be given the opportunity to live freely and to let the world see how much they have to offer. I wish the nation every best wish for their future. Hasta la Victoria siempre. RR
Mr. Lovett
Difficult to know where to start so I will with the taxi drive in the 1948 Dodge to the convent, and yes, contrary to what the pupils say, the car is older than me !
It really has been a great trip which has opened my eyes to Cuban culture, history and the Cuban lifestyle in general. Most importantly we have had a great group of students who have been superb ambassadors for the school, and Scotland.
Mr. Montenegro
This trip has been a very pleasant ‘ONE year’ journey for all of us. From the very beginning up until today every single member of the CUBANISIMO group has been extremely cooperative, helpful and enthusiastic.
We have created a NING page with individuals’ profiles to keep in touch during the year, organised a team Ceilidh to raise money to put a smile on Cuban children’s faces in two of the schools in Cuba we visited, managed to see more than half of the Island, where we were able to achieve our initial goal of Dance, History, Music and Sport.
All girls and boys have been remarkably well behaved, friendly, polite, cooperative and indeed a real credit to St Thomas, Edinburgh and Scotland.
Congratulations to each one of them and to the parents for their constant support. A big thank you to my other two colleagues Miss Roberts and Mr. Lovett who have given invaluable time and professionalism for the success of this trip. Finally since this blog is about the highlights; it’s got to be the sixteen pupils who have been outstanding ambassadors. Very well done to them and Hasta la victoria siempre. MM
