Further Adventures in Old Havana

Continuing our journey around Havana, we meandered through the narrow streets, zigging and zagging with no particular destination in mind. Cuba is known for its abundance of old classic cars, so we did our best to showcase them in our photographs with varying success. For educational purposes, I should point out that not everyone drives an old car from the 50s, but they account for at least 50% of the vehicles. Those that aren’t are vehicles made in Eastern Europe that are probably less reliable than their American counterparts that are 60 years older. 

The streets are filled with the smell of exhaust fumes and smoke billows from every intersection. Needless to say, there is no smog check here. We made our way to the Museum of the Revolution which chronicles the events that led to Fidel Castro’s rise to power and the “heroes” that made Cuba the way it is today. While not remotely as bizarre as going to the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam, the museum’s focus was on random artifacts like, ‘Here’s a pair of pants! So and so wore them when they were in high school!” As Greg remarked, it was almost like a parallel with catholic devotion and relics.

We eventually got some food at café. This was no easy task. Places are either filled with only tourists or are filled with no one at all. Neither of these was appealing, but we finally had some sandwiches and beer at a place that Cubans appeared to be enjoying as well. After eating we gathered some photography equipment and got ready to take some pictures at sunset. We headed over toward the Capitolio, which bears a striking resemblance to the U.S. capitol. 

Greg and I did some time-lapse of the transition from day to night as classic cars did their best to poison our lungs with noxious fumes. I think we both look forward to some sleep although our place is a bit warm and muggy. Actually all of Cuba is warm and muggy. So far the only relief from the heat has been to sit down with a local beer or two. Thanks in part to the very late arrival of Cubana last night/this morning our time in Havana quickly draws to a close as we plan to leave tomorrow for the small town of Viñales. That being said, I feel we have adequately seen old Havana and are anxious to get out of the busy, noisy city and experience a different part of Cuba.