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Published: August 7th 2007
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Unlike many of the world's capital cities, the tourist centre of Havana is also home to a large proportion of the city's residents, with some of the poorest crammed into apartment buildings right next door to museums, hotels, restaurants & bars. It's hard to see how everyone is equal under communism when the standard of living varies wildly. Havana is incredibly charming, even though it is literally crumbling around you. Staircases wobble precariously and a la Kingston, there are holes in every pavement. Having said that, it was totally safe to walk around, even at night, and there were around 2 policemen to every street. The one thing you notice is that there are no ads, at all. It's hard even to pick out shops and banks because everything looks the same. The city is caught in a 1960's timewarp, with old-fashioned Cadillac style cars and get this - stretch Ladas!!
So arriving in Havana on Thursday night, first stop was the bar for mojitos. Our barman in the converted monastery was a monk who's sole purpose was to make us cocktails 24 hours a day, yippee. Friday morning, and we were all ready for a major dose of culture.
View through window in Museo de la Revolucion
After breakfast in the plaza, we headed for the country's oldest cigar factory, the Fabrica de Tobacos Partagas, where the famous Cohiba cigars are made. The cigars are actually surprisingly tasty. We got to see the entire process from drying, through to sorting, rolling and putting ribbons on! The nice thing was we were actually in the factory where people were working and not just looking at demos. It was someone's job to read the newspapers to the staff over a microphone every morning, and then read them a book in the afternoon. All good government-approved propaganda but maybe potential for adding to our corporate benefits programme!
Next stop was the Museo de la Revolucion which was even heavier going on the old propaganda. There was the most memorabilia I've ever seen: tweezers once used by Fidel, blood stained hankerchief worn by Batista, trousers Che Guevara once looked at. And picture after picture of Communist heros in North Korea, China, Venezuala etc.. communism is real fun! But a fascinating museum.
That night after dinner, we decided to go to a salsa club and see how the locals did it. Oh
Going coco-nuts
Racing around Havana in "coco taxis" my God. We were a total shambles compared
Going coco-nuts
Racing around Havana in "coco taxis"to them. They are just fantastic dancers, and with the live music it was a great spectacle. There's always one guy who launches himself into Riverdance mid cha-cha though in an attempt at fusion-salsa!! That would be Tony.
The next day we took the opportunity just to be tourists, and wander around the markets and cafes. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Havana, just stroll around in the sunshine. The buildings and cars are so iconic, fantastic colours and architecture. And who cares if it's just for the tourists when a party of flamenco dancers and musicians sashay down the street as you're eating your paella? We love it!
The food in Cuba was really good - fabulous seafood, rice, beans and a good mix of international cuisine aswell. There are no fast food chains, no Burger King, McDonalds etc which is great. The local beers, Buccanero and Cristal are really good, and the Cuba Libre (rum, coke, lime) and daiquiris are almost as popular as the mojitos.
After our 'disco naps', another night brought another salsa
Ernesto "Che" Guevara
An iconic pose from the man himself club. This time the venue was a little more 'local' and we were the only
Ernesto "Che" Guevara
An iconic pose from the man himselftourists there. Sometimes it's good to stand out though - free salsa lessons from the Cubans!
No Easter Eggs for us on Sunday morning, but we were booked on a city tour in pink and red convertibles so we didn't mind one bit! (Please keep my easter egg though mum & dad). The convertibles are officially the cheesiest way to see Havana and so much fun. We drove through the streets, along the harbour, through the scenic embassy district and stopped off at a forest of all places, which was a bit of a surprise. Fidel wants us to know that it's not all crumbling buildings! Happy Birthday by the way Fidel! He turned 80 recently, good lad. There were 8 of us on the convertible tour, so afterwards we hitched 4 "coco taxis" and had a race back to town. It was like the teacups at Six Flags, the simple things were just the best fun! No seatbelts and no doors, you could reach out and hit your opponent to try and get ahead.
Batista
I think we love him too but I'm really scared of getting it wrong! I think that was actually my most favourite thing. If I could zip around in the taxis eating lobster and drinking mojitos (easy on
Batista
I think we love him too but I'm really scared of getting it wrong!the mint), I'd be so happy!
One of Havana's most famous visitors was Ernest Hemingway so we went to his favourite mojito bar for cocktails and wrote our names on the wall. It's really touristy but so worth a visit and the mojitos are excellent.
Monday was our last day so we went to the Capitolio Nacional, which was the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate prior to the Revolution. The tour was great but they refuse to be drawn on communism and I learnt loads about tiles and curtains and nothing at all about Cuban history!! A quick plate of lobster and it was time to leave Cuba 😞. We had a fabulous time in Cuba, it's very hard to get access to the people and to get accurate representations of history but it makes it so interesting. It's a totally fascinating place and we were so lucky to see it under the current regime before
capitalism takes over in the future.
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miffy
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crazy cocos
loving the coco taxis - heehee; if was half as fun as the teacups in six flags, you must've been hysterical!!!