HAVANA'S FORT

      A Tradition Continues

Castillo de San Carlos de la Cabana

In Havana, Cuba there is a nightly cannon ceremony at the old fort known as Castillo de San Carlos de la Cabana. Many years ago the cannon designated the nightly closing of the city’s gates at 9:00 PM. If one was not inside the walls by then he stayed outside until morning when the gates opened again.

The massive fortress, built 1764-1774, occupies 10 hectares on a hill at the north side of the Havana's harbor. It is a huge complex. It was dark when we arrived and walking was a bit hazardous. After we found our way to a good viewing area I mentioned to our guide, “Next time you might mention to your people to bring a flashlight so they can more easily see where they are walking. Some of that ground is pretty uneven and there is very little light.”

She thanked me for the suggestion. Dah! This was a pro who led such excursions frequently!

The castle was always heavily armed and by the mid 19^th century one could count 120 bronze cannons and mortars and a compliment of 1300 men. However, the garrison was designed to hold 6000 men if needed. Perhaps its sheer size was a deterrent, as the fortress never had to defend itself.

Today one passes by 18th century clad sentries guarding the moat bridge. Ten minutes before the hour there is a cry announcing the procession of costumed military men as they march across the plaza carrying muskets and flaming torches. They march to the cannon where they load and ram rod it ready for firing at exactly 9 PM.

The flash was quick and the noise loud when the cannon went off. It is a popular ceremony with hundreds attending nightly. We carefully walked down the ladder/stairs to the plaza below and after a short walk stopped to listen to musicians playing in front of the barracks.

It was a fun evening and at an interesting age-old evening event. 

ODDS AND ENDS KNOWN AS TRIVIA

Unimportant but Fun Tidbits

            In Texas, towns are spotted from a distance by their water towers. In much of Europe towns and villages are spotted by the church tower. The church is usually built on a hill and the tower generally is built on the west side of the church.

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When biking in Germany and Austria I was standing outside a coffee shop in the village of Aschach.  I had finished my lunch shopping and was admiring the houses that were painted in pastel colors in this little village. A little old man approached me, “Are you American?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.”

“I was in America once,” he said. “During World War II, I was a prisoner of war at Fort Smith, Arkansas. I’m sorry my English is not so good.”

How I wish I had had more conversation with this gentleman. I was just so shocked to learn that we had POW camps on American soil. He did tell me he was treated well.

It’s a small world!

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As we approached Land’s End we lost the trees and the landscape became quite barren. Land’s End is the most westerly point in England. The area has been turned into sort of an amusement area, but it’s one of those places that if you’re near you should at least take a look-see.

A friend and I walked down to the first and last point gift shop where I bought a couple of post cards.  There’s not a whole lot to see other than shops and some amusements for kids.

One of England’s rescue lifeboats was on display near the parking area. All men who operate the rescue boats are volunteers, and they are kept pretty busy at times.

It was very windy and I suspect it most always is. The coast is very rugged. Nasty waves were splashing over the rocks where the lighthouse stood as a steady warning to all who sailed those choppy seas along the  rocky coastline.