Hearing Habana

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It is impossible to close your ears to the vibrant sounds of the city. Habana Vieja (Old Havana) dances to a rhythmic beat. Starting early, it continues until well after dark. Every street, every plaza, every cafe is filled with lively music and singing.

The city´s signature soundtrack is hypnotic; without realising I have found myself walking along in time. Stop for even a moment, and spontaneously your feet tap or hips wiggle or head bops. Its addictive - from street to street you are pulled in by talented musicians playing a range of instruments, from pianos to guitars, drums to shakers. Loudspeaker and car radios pump out reggae, hip-hop, rumba and salsa. In Habana Vieja you are rarely out of earshot of music.

The musical accompaniment isn´t just for the benefit of the tourists either. A good number of Habaneros (people from Havana) live in and amongst this area which is also full of hotels and museums and restaurants. These are not the city´s richest inhabitants - far from it. Budding entrepreneurs call out to tourists "Hey, where you from?", "Taxi?", "Cigar?". They add on an unpredictable layer to the city soundscape with chatter, laughing, whistling as well as children playing on the streets with spinning tops and balls.

It is all the residents that are Habana Vieja´s greatest asset. And as we saw when Hurricane Gustav hit, the deserted streets of Habana Vieja seem like a different place all together.

From Jess

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Comments

[Kate]

Sounds great!
Oh mate sounds like a wonderful city! Jealous already! Enjoy! I know you both will. Keep in touch - loving the blogs already- feel like Im there with you (well...to an extent!). xx

[Joy]

Havana
Your description of Havana is so enticing that I just want to jump on a plane. Are you employed by the Cuban tourist board yet ? Looking forward to the next blog.