Rescuing El Golfito from Oblivion (First Part)

El Golfito, the recreational center at the East of Havana begins to re-emerge after long years of almost total abandonment

 Rogelio Viera

The recreational center named El Golfito was the first place that travelers found when, many decades ago, from the town of Cojímar it was possible to reach the mouth of the river, named after the town, and a boatman crossed the river toward the neighborhood of Alamar. This place was baptized like that because there was an area for playing golf, which counted on attractive facilities, like restaurant, bar, cafeteria and outdoor seating areas under the sea grapes, which made possible a pleasant enjoyment for the family.

However, neglecting and abandonment took over the place for many years, an event of which I have been writing, showing the ruins of the playing area, the empty place of what once was the restaurant and only a bar remains with few offers and attractions.

In 2015, I visited the place and something had been done to improve the image: painting, some umbrellas in front of the bar and improvements to the outdoor area for selling soft drinks and drinks.

Thus, I came back to tour that road and what I saw was happy and reinforced my usual optimism. El Golfito is reborn from its ashes. I share my visualization with you:

Today, we can see the identification of the center in its main building, where the restaurant is already working and the restauration work of the large bar is almost finished.

The pleasant and cozy restaurant, with a dozen of tables, is ready to welcome guests who want to enjoy a good lunch.

Next to the main facility we find in the outside areas several spaces that offer draft beer, booths offering different kind of drinks, refreshments, cold meats, a coal oven for barbecue, all that also supply for the outdoor area and passersby.

I hope that soon we can see children, young people and adults playing golfito, (a game derivative from golf) after the rebuilding of the place that existed for such purpose which was the main attraction of this center.

Other improvements in rescuing or opening new places for recreation and enjoyment of the Cuban family are being observed in this large community that is Alamar, which we will talk about on another occasion; but in the meantime , take a tour of El Golfito.

Translated by ESTI