by In the first few minutes of Conan O’Brien’s special episode of Conan on TBS Wednesday night, he explained the political, social and cultural ramifications of the United States move to “normalize” relations with Cuba after a 53-year-long economic blockade and embargo. “Which is why I kept the purpose of my visit simple: To meet the people and try to make friends.”
There’s a reason O’Brien’s remote segments in and around his regular Burbank studios are such a hit: He is a natural improviser and makes friends easily. The language barrier in Cuba — O’Brien’s Spanish? Far from fluent, closer to Spanglish — just makes his attempts at friendship and diplomacy more sincerely funny.
O’Brien also provided extra commentary and photos Wednesday via Twitter, so let’s let him take it away. Roll the clips and the Tweets!
The only dog in Cuba who didn't bark at me. #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/IwhdwhRZFw
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
My fantastic band in Cuba. They were playing in the café in the background, and I hired them on the spot! #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/gBhiP158c9
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
Conan Joins A Cuban Salsa Band: Conan learns the importance of the Cuban clave beat and wows the band with his 8th grade Spanish skills.
Conan Takes A Cuban Spanish Lesson: Thanks to Maestra Yolanda, Conan masters the Spanish tongue twister about three sad tigers.
Conan Visits The Havana Club Rum Museum: Conan learns the rich history of Cuban rum before tasting a flight of Havana Club’s best with his guide Gretel.
Snapped on my iPhone: the champagne of cervezas. #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/eZjeZt1FlN
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
Conan Learns To Dance Cuban Rumba: Dancing is a huge part of Cuban culture, inspiring Conan to take an intensive lesson to master the erotic rumba.
All that rumba dancing exhausted me. Recharging my batteries with my assistant Sona. #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/1S82g9AvZT
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
Conan Visits Havana’s El Malecón: Conan makes friends with Cuban youth on the famous waterfront promenade, and picks up a few bad habits…
Shared a lot of laughs with the kids down by the sea wall in El Malecon. #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/fNrIV3pPRJ
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
Conan’s Havana Rooftop Sunset: Conan admires Central Havana at the end of the day, and imagines how CNN would report on it.
Conan Visits A Cuban Cigar Factory: Conan tries his hand at rolling La Corona cigars, but unfortunately his stogies just don’t measure up.
An iconic American writer known for his rugged manliness poses with Ernest Hemingway. #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/7TqcVcj9p0
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
A caricature from a Cuban street artist. At least he got my hair and hand right. #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/I1wnOxWMhB
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
Conan Dines At A Cuban Paladar: Conan enjoys authentic Cuban cuisine at a paladar, a family-run restaurant located in a private home.
It was nice of Cuba to name their absurdly-shaped taxis after me. #ConanCUBA pic.twitter.com/omhBShlWHp
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
Conan Says Goodbye To Cuba: Conan recounts the wonderful time he had in Cuba and the amazing people he met.
Thanks for watching #ConanCUBA. I had a fantastic time making new friends with the Cuban people & I can’t wait to go back.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) March 5, 2015
