Havana Cuba

---

---

Arrived in Havana Cuba late afternoon on Saturday after a perfectly smooth Virgin flight. First impressions are a city in a time warp. Crumbling old buildings, broken pavements, old polluting American cars cruising the streets and scruffy, dress down locals. But the smell and sounds of the city are brilliant. An intoxicating mix of car fumes and uncollected rubbish and the sounds of Cuban music from the local bars. This place is alive and its pulsating.

Have spent 2 full days sight seeing in the old and new parts of the city. First on foot then a guided tour in a 1948 convertible American Buick. Our throats are still sore from the fumes coming out the back.

Today, took a taxi to a local beach in the morning and did nothing much at all after that. We have to be up at 05:00am tomorrow to get to the airport for our Cuban airlines flight to Caracas Venezuela. A city described by the guidebooks as 'edgy' and 'where you should be aware of surroundings at all times'.

A few quick notes on Cuba. Don’t come here for the shopping – there aren’t many shops and even the supermarkets have very little on the shelves. The internet works slowly if at all and the staff have a take it or leave it attitude. Come here instead for the atmosphere and a glimpse of carribean life in the 50's.

---

Comments

[Michelle Silverman]

Where's your cigar?
So pleased you had a good journey and good first stop in Havana. Love the convertible but wouldn't be much use here with all the snow!!!!!!!! Enjoy every minute xxxX

[GJ]

Can't imagine why you want to leave the snow.
Hola desde Stanmore. Sounds like you are having fun. Have you had people following you around wanting to draw caricatures of you? I seem to recall everyone smoked cigars everywhere and sometimes a town would shut up shop for a "spontaneous" demo of some sort? You are missing a freak heatwave. I went to work in my shorts on Monday it was so hot. I am thinking of having air conditioning put in at home to cope. Have you tried anylocal booze and in particular the mojito's? AVB sends his regards. G

[Michael]

Great Car!
The cars, the music the buildings albeit crumbling-I want to be there!