March 20th
After a solid night’s sleep (not quite the 4 Seasons)…
……. and a good shower ….note the funky shower curtain:
……we head for the breakfast room which is a throwback to your great grandmother’s parlor:
…………..unfortunately breakie was rather modest…..eggs and a hot dog being somewhat alien for us. But we are eager to more thoroughly explore Habana Viejo (Old Havana) which is located to the east of the center, It is a popular tourist area with many beautifully restored historic buildings (mostly colonial in style), lots of sights, and lots of restaurants/bars.
As we walk to the Habana Viejo, we see people going about their daily business, kids going to school, and folks buying their daily stuff…..
……there is a lot that is so strikingly different from what we consider as normal…….some street pics:
One thing for sure the availability of goods is minimal at best, with shelves often empty….marketing is an unknown concept….and nothing appears simple.
Periodically there are signs encouraging people to continue with the revolution…
As well, there are lineups for virtually everything you want or need…..we learn this soon enough as we need to change money urgently….at the first stop we are turfed out …”no connexion” , at the second Cadeca the line looks like a solid 1.5 hours …no way Jose!! Next stop a large bank: get in, get a printed number and wait, and wait…seems like although there are 10 wickets only one or two exchange money > at least it is cool inside. We spend the time speaking to a nice lady from Wenatchee, WA. She only has 100 in cash and wants to use her U.S. credit card >>> unfortunately she didn’t do her homework, U.S. credit cards are not accepted in Cuba {there has been an embargo for some 50 years} > she is told her only choice is Western Union > good luck to her, but really how stupid can you be !!!Reaching Habana Viejo our exploration starts in earnest and while touristy …like taking a cocotaxi;
……it is both interesting and photogenic….we visit a lot of the key sites such as the National Capital, the colonial style hotels near the Parque Central, the Floridita Bar, Calle Opispo etc:
…music is coming out of virtually every bar, resto and house:
and arrive at Plaza Vieja springing for lunch on the 2nd floor balcony of a restaurant overlooking the Plaza and enjoy baguettes with Serranno ham/cheese and beers overlooking the square…..
…and you think a yard of ale is impressive ….. check this sucker out !
….there is a considerable amount of restoration work needed but work is continuing albeit in a laborious fashion:
then back to work………next up is passage across the harbour via a “seabus”
……to the town of Casablanca an old fishing town….we quickly leave behind the tourists as we wander around this very modest town….the only ‘touts” being some older ladies in front of the church selling their fortune-telling skills….
Tried to get a photo of a gentlemen in a bow tie and suit selling cakes in a pastry shop, but he firmly wagged a “no” finger at me……..alas, neither did he sell slices of cake which btw did look yummy.
Back across the harbour and more touristing in Habana Viejo visiting: ……….Our lady of Kazan Orthodox Cathedral
…the Plaza des Armas…….
………Castillo de la Real Fuerza
……no we didn’t fire Moosie out of the cannon (although she has been naughty at times…..
We then made our way to the harbour side for what could one day be a neat walk with cafes etc.:
and finally la Cathedral d Habanna…….
…….before heading back to make a reservation at a well rated Palador for tomorrow’s dinner, a short rest at the Casa and dinner. On the way back the rain came hammering down and we sheltered below some eaves speaking to an older Cuban lady in perfect English as she reminisced about how the times were better before the revolution…you never know when an interesting interlude develops.
Nice dinner at the Cafe Miglis …..at the entry way there was an intense game of checkers going on:
a bit bizarre having a candle lit dinner while folks outside push carts up and down the broken down streets and rubble. Enough time for a last cerveza at the Casa, as I write-up the blog and off to bed.