Renowned for colorful buildings, aristocratic havens, classical architecture, and bright colors, Havana’s streets are filled with people, vendors, bicycles, motorcycles, tricycle rickshaws, and of course, vintage, classical cars from the 1950s. With various embargos and blockades in place for decades, access to US-manufactured cars, equipment, and food is non-existent. You are surrounded by a museum on wheels, as these classic vintage cars drive all over the city. They are used by owners as working vehicles, so you can use them as taxis, as many of the locals do.
There is a vibrant blend of new and old, as early entrepreneurship takes root, and small business hustle to make ends meet. The salaries are about $10-30/month, so gratuities in US dollars vs. Cuban pesos are greatly appreciated. We had a great time walking through local farmer’s markets, touring Habana Vieja (Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site), stopping at the various open-air plazas where cathedrals, colonial buildings, capitol structures, and museums can be found. It is profound to stand in the center of “Plaza de la Revolucion” seeing gargantuan Ernesto Che Guevara and Jose Marti’s monuments.
The Palaces in residential areas were faded, but still showed their old glory. Art galleries, restaurants and other buildings created a festive atmosphere, where many dressed in all white garb demonstrated their belief in Santeria (a prominent Cuban religion blended of African and Catholic fundaments). The Nacional hotel (all major businesses are owned by the Cuban government) provided a peak into life before communism/socialism, with pool, fountains, waterfall, ocean front bars, roof top views, and several private cigar-smoking rooms.
We were driven in classic 1954 Chevrolet around the town by night, before going to the Tropicana Cabaret, opened in 1939, a historic open-air night club with shows year round. What an amazing performance by dozens of singers, dancers, circus stars, and musicians. Really a highlight.
The Bellas Artes Fine Arts museum was a collection of modern art by Cuban artists that was not quite so inspiring, but a unique experience nonetheless. A performance at the “Buena Vista Social Club” was a nice way to end the tour after visiting the rest of the country, with intimate song and dance.
The city is closed each night by the firing of a canon over the bluff at Fortaleza de la Cabana, all to great pomp and splendor.
Other photos and video clips of our explorations in Havana follow:
This is Part 1 of a 6-part series. Links to the other parts can be found HERE
Great photos! How was the food?