28th of April - 1st of May 2017 & 11-12th of May 2017
28th of April - small introduction:
Here we go:
As expected we reached Havana at 20h but we left the airport at 23h, not because the airport is huge, but because the queue to change your money was just huge. In the meantime my bank card has been refused which made me stress a bit...
At 23h30 we checked in in David's casa which was a colonial style house with a lot of rooms with very high cieling, totally enough to make it as a loft! And as expected Nino has been waiting for us. Really nice guy with whom we went to a restaurant and had enough time to discuss about Cuba and life in general.
The restaurant was located in a casa particular in the Vedado district but it was quite expensive from what we had expected. Well that was fast forgotten after we had a really delicious daiquiri. The first one in Cuba. While walking the city in the night we saw a lot of people outside but the streets were quite dark. In the meantime people seemed friendly.
We came back home around 2h and went bed as the next day the visit were about to start.
29th of April
I woke up really early (around 7h) because of my bank card. I was looking for solutions but in the end I finished by calling... my card has been blocked because Cuba is a risky country... anyway the problem was solved.
I waited for Doria and Julien to wake up and we went for a breakfast at 10. We ate delicious fruits at David'a casa!!! Meanwhile the weather was getting really warm, around 30 degrees.
The plan of the day was simple: visit the old Havana. As we had the Lonely Planet and the routard guides it was convient. We decided to do everything walking which is actually suggested by the guide. While walking in the small streets there are two things which came in my mind: the majority of the buildings are a piece of art (beautiful colonial style house or buildings in different colors) but in the meantime they seemed like abondent in time, almost in ruins.
We easily reached the Capitol which looks like the American Congress (or a copy of it :) )! From there our trip in the old Havana started. Thanks to the tourism a big part of it has been renovated and looked amazing!
We got a bit lost in the map but it was actually not such a bad thing. We walked on the Paseo of Marti which in the middle was offering a pedestrian path full of painting sellers surrounded but by authentic colonial houses for most of them in a bad shape but still charming, at the end of the street we reached the Castillo San Salvador de la Punta from which we had a beautiful view over the Malecon avenue and also the Fortress San Carlos de la Cabaña on the other side of the city. We continued our journey walking trough the small colorful streets around we stopped for a bit at the Revolution Museum which we decided to visit the next day. We easily reached from there the magnificent Cathedral of San Cristobal de la Havana. Really beautiful piece of work! Here even more you can feel the Spanish touch regarding architecture and culture. We walked then on the Calle Mercaderes where we were able to have a lunch as it was full restaurants and souvenir shops. This part of the city (Vieja Havana) has been renovated.
We pursued on the small streets and entered in the Iglesia y Monastario de San Francisco de Asis located on the Square which was sharing the same name. Awesome choice as in this church we were able to go on the top of the bell tower from with a beautiful view has been offered over the city. While getting out we stopped to enjoy a classical concert in the church. A pure moment of peace. We then landed at the Plaza Vieja, get around and went back to the Plaza de Armas on which it was located the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and on the other side the Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
During all this time I could stopped taking pictures of the monuments but also the cars! All those American cars from the 50ies were increasing the beauty and the character of the city. They were, for most of them, still in an excellent shape and in all possible styles.
We returned to the hotel by walking on the small street and the beautiful street Obispo (not the singer) which was almost dropping us home.
One of the ladies in the casa told us that a nice place to enjoy the night was 1830 club (a kind of open air club with Cuban music) located at the end of Malecon in the Vedado district. We got out and decided to find a place to eat while walking on Malecon: almost impossible to find something looking like good to eat. We finally reached a open air place with a lot of barbecues tents full of locals and salsa music. It was near the hotel Nacional. We decided to give it a chance. Even if the Cubans are nice it seemed like our presence to eat in a place like this wasn't really appreciated. The food was good though. Very simple: meat (porc or chicken) with rice.
We got a drink and asked some random guys if the club was far walking... they mentioned 25-40min so we decided to pursued walking to the 1830. In the end it was more like a hour walking as we had time to stop for another drink before reaching it by 1am. The bar was totally worthy though, it was located on a sort of a bay with live Cuban music. However, as the main places like this are expensive for locals, the most of the clients were tourists. Indeed, this is something sad because in a place like this you can feel the difference.
We were surprised that the bar closes at 2am which didn't stop us to enjoy several daiquiris. In the end it was not such a bad thing as we had another day of visits the day after so we went back home.
- We had an afternoon flight leaving Paris at 16h and reaching Havana at 20h (local time), which was not really a bad idea. This way we had enough time to get out and go for a diner and then go to sleep avoiding or reducing the jet lag.
- We have booked 3 nights in David's casa particular which has been recommended to us by Sandra who had stayed there a year ago. The casa was located in the Centre of Havana.
- Also before going my father has introduced me to a collègue of his (Angel) who was Cuban and who got me in touch with his brother Nino, who was supposed to meet us at the house where we were about to stay.
Here we go:
As expected we reached Havana at 20h but we left the airport at 23h, not because the airport is huge, but because the queue to change your money was just huge. In the meantime my bank card has been refused which made me stress a bit...
At 23h30 we checked in in David's casa which was a colonial style house with a lot of rooms with very high cieling, totally enough to make it as a loft! And as expected Nino has been waiting for us. Really nice guy with whom we went to a restaurant and had enough time to discuss about Cuba and life in general.
The restaurant was located in a casa particular in the Vedado district but it was quite expensive from what we had expected. Well that was fast forgotten after we had a really delicious daiquiri. The first one in Cuba. While walking the city in the night we saw a lot of people outside but the streets were quite dark. In the meantime people seemed friendly.
We came back home around 2h and went bed as the next day the visit were about to start.
29th of April
I woke up really early (around 7h) because of my bank card. I was looking for solutions but in the end I finished by calling... my card has been blocked because Cuba is a risky country... anyway the problem was solved.
I waited for Doria and Julien to wake up and we went for a breakfast at 10. We ate delicious fruits at David'a casa!!! Meanwhile the weather was getting really warm, around 30 degrees.
The plan of the day was simple: visit the old Havana. As we had the Lonely Planet and the routard guides it was convient. We decided to do everything walking which is actually suggested by the guide. While walking in the small streets there are two things which came in my mind: the majority of the buildings are a piece of art (beautiful colonial style house or buildings in different colors) but in the meantime they seemed like abondent in time, almost in ruins.
We easily reached the Capitol which looks like the American Congress (or a copy of it :) )! From there our trip in the old Havana started. Thanks to the tourism a big part of it has been renovated and looked amazing!
We got a bit lost in the map but it was actually not such a bad thing. We walked on the Paseo of Marti which in the middle was offering a pedestrian path full of painting sellers surrounded but by authentic colonial houses for most of them in a bad shape but still charming, at the end of the street we reached the Castillo San Salvador de la Punta from which we had a beautiful view over the Malecon avenue and also the Fortress San Carlos de la Cabaña on the other side of the city. We continued our journey walking trough the small colorful streets around we stopped for a bit at the Revolution Museum which we decided to visit the next day. We easily reached from there the magnificent Cathedral of San Cristobal de la Havana. Really beautiful piece of work! Here even more you can feel the Spanish touch regarding architecture and culture. We walked then on the Calle Mercaderes where we were able to have a lunch as it was full restaurants and souvenir shops. This part of the city (Vieja Havana) has been renovated.
We pursued on the small streets and entered in the Iglesia y Monastario de San Francisco de Asis located on the Square which was sharing the same name. Awesome choice as in this church we were able to go on the top of the bell tower from with a beautiful view has been offered over the city. While getting out we stopped to enjoy a classical concert in the church. A pure moment of peace. We then landed at the Plaza Vieja, get around and went back to the Plaza de Armas on which it was located the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and on the other side the Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
During all this time I could stopped taking pictures of the monuments but also the cars! All those American cars from the 50ies were increasing the beauty and the character of the city. They were, for most of them, still in an excellent shape and in all possible styles.
We returned to the hotel by walking on the small street and the beautiful street Obispo (not the singer) which was almost dropping us home.
One of the ladies in the casa told us that a nice place to enjoy the night was 1830 club (a kind of open air club with Cuban music) located at the end of Malecon in the Vedado district. We got out and decided to find a place to eat while walking on Malecon: almost impossible to find something looking like good to eat. We finally reached a open air place with a lot of barbecues tents full of locals and salsa music. It was near the hotel Nacional. We decided to give it a chance. Even if the Cubans are nice it seemed like our presence to eat in a place like this wasn't really appreciated. The food was good though. Very simple: meat (porc or chicken) with rice.
We got a drink and asked some random guys if the club was far walking... they mentioned 25-40min so we decided to pursued walking to the 1830. In the end it was more like a hour walking as we had time to stop for another drink before reaching it by 1am. The bar was totally worthy though, it was located on a sort of a bay with live Cuban music. However, as the main places like this are expensive for locals, the most of the clients were tourists. Indeed, this is something sad because in a place like this you can feel the difference.
We were surprised that the bar closes at 2am which didn't stop us to enjoy several daiquiris. In the end it was not such a bad thing as we had another day of visits the day after so we went back home.
30rd of April
After the delicious breakfast, as planned we hit the road the Revolution Museum. The weather was even warmer!
The museum was really interesting. It used to be the presidential palace and had really beautiful decoration. It was also explaining well the process of the Cuban revolution and the begging of the communism, and kept a lot of messages, letters and objects of Fidel Castro and Ché. It clearly seemed like that Cuba is the only country in South America which managed to resist on the US pressure and political influence.
The biggest surprise for us during the visit was all the dance classes which were dancing inside the museum. Something that you can't see elsewhere. A lot of foreigners were enjoying the classes of bachata and Cuban salsa. A nice and fun moment.
After getting out we went for a lunch and decided to go to the Fortress San Carlos de la Cabaña. There are actually two fortress left one much more recent: Castillo de los Tres Reyes de Morro and the other one was San Carlos.
There is a underwater tunnel which has just been opened after a renovation. The driver dropped us next to the house of Ché and the Jesus Christ statue, which looked like a bit like the one in Rio a bit smaller but I guess the goal is the same: protect the city. My biggest surprise came from the taxi driver, Fernando, in which I have forgotten my electronic cigarette... he left but then he saw my cigarette and stopped the car to give it back to me... another way to show how kind the Cubans are.
He also told us that there was a ceremony in the fortress at 9pm with soldiers dressed in Spanish uniforms.
As we had few hours before it started we decided to enjoy a bit longer the landscape. The view from the Jesus statue over Havana was beautiful giving over the port and the old. As we had 3h-4h left before the ceremony started we walked to the fortress Castillo de los Tres Reyes de Morro and decided to finish by the San Carlos one to combine it with the ceremony.
This fortress was located on end of the seemed a bit like abandoned by the time (like a lot of the buildings in Cuba) but was charming. A part of it was built in the rocks and was offering a great view over Malecon and the Vedado district. We spent less than an hour there and left for the San Carlos de la Cabaña.
Well this fortress was huge! The main attraction was the wall with all the canons. We spent more than an our walking around and finding different picture spots. Once we stopped for a bit a nice lady told us that the Ché office when he was an army responsible used to be inside the fort. Indeed, it was a big house preserving his office and some pictures and objects of him.
We finally expected the ceremony. It started with a soldier march, one of them explaining the history of the fortress. At some moment the lights went down and people turned on their phone. The soldiers prepared one of the canons, one of the soldiers lighten it and fired with it. Gosh, It did a big noise ! Quite impressive!
By 22h we were home and soon later went to bed as the next day it was a big day for us. David has organizing a group tour for the 1st of May march on Plaza de la Revolución and we needed to waked up at 5 am and right after the march get a collective taxi to go to Viñales.
After the delicious breakfast, as planned we hit the road the Revolution Museum. The weather was even warmer!
The museum was really interesting. It used to be the presidential palace and had really beautiful decoration. It was also explaining well the process of the Cuban revolution and the begging of the communism, and kept a lot of messages, letters and objects of Fidel Castro and Ché. It clearly seemed like that Cuba is the only country in South America which managed to resist on the US pressure and political influence.
The biggest surprise for us during the visit was all the dance classes which were dancing inside the museum. Something that you can't see elsewhere. A lot of foreigners were enjoying the classes of bachata and Cuban salsa. A nice and fun moment.
After getting out we went for a lunch and decided to go to the Fortress San Carlos de la Cabaña. There are actually two fortress left one much more recent: Castillo de los Tres Reyes de Morro and the other one was San Carlos.
There is a underwater tunnel which has just been opened after a renovation. The driver dropped us next to the house of Ché and the Jesus Christ statue, which looked like a bit like the one in Rio a bit smaller but I guess the goal is the same: protect the city. My biggest surprise came from the taxi driver, Fernando, in which I have forgotten my electronic cigarette... he left but then he saw my cigarette and stopped the car to give it back to me... another way to show how kind the Cubans are.
He also told us that there was a ceremony in the fortress at 9pm with soldiers dressed in Spanish uniforms.
As we had few hours before it started we decided to enjoy a bit longer the landscape. The view from the Jesus statue over Havana was beautiful giving over the port and the old. As we had 3h-4h left before the ceremony started we walked to the fortress Castillo de los Tres Reyes de Morro and decided to finish by the San Carlos one to combine it with the ceremony.
This fortress was located on end of the seemed a bit like abandoned by the time (like a lot of the buildings in Cuba) but was charming. A part of it was built in the rocks and was offering a great view over Malecon and the Vedado district. We spent less than an hour there and left for the San Carlos de la Cabaña.
Well this fortress was huge! The main attraction was the wall with all the canons. We spent more than an our walking around and finding different picture spots. Once we stopped for a bit a nice lady told us that the Ché office when he was an army responsible used to be inside the fort. Indeed, it was a big house preserving his office and some pictures and objects of him.
We finally expected the ceremony. It started with a soldier march, one of them explaining the history of the fortress. At some moment the lights went down and people turned on their phone. The soldiers prepared one of the canons, one of the soldiers lighten it and fired with it. Gosh, It did a big noise ! Quite impressive!
By 22h we were home and soon later went to bed as the next day it was a big day for us. David has organizing a group tour for the 1st of May march on Plaza de la Revolución and we needed to waked up at 5 am and right after the march get a collective taxi to go to Viñales.
1st of May
As explained above we managed to get up and went for breakfast. Leaving at 6 am from David's house allowed us to enjoy the calm of Havana and especially see the calle Hamel which was a piece of art by itself. Indeed the artist transformed it into a huge art street inspiring himself from different book heroes and using bath... really amazing street! ... well when I was saying calm it was until we reached the road leading for the manifestation which was full of people, workers unions from Cuba and from other countries, students or just normal people. Almost everyone was having Cuban, Fidel, Ché or other flags, singing and dancing. A moment of joy celebrating the revolution and the working class.
We maybe walked for a km before reaching the Plaza de la Revolución. I was really amazed by this défilé, people were having fun and were proud to do the march. David told us that this march was even more important than the previous because it was the first celebration after Fidel's death. So it was important to show to the world that socialism in Cuba is not dead.
In any case we were very impressed by this event.
We came back around 10h at the house, got our luggage and at 11h we left for Viñales with a collective taxi.
As explained above we managed to get up and went for breakfast. Leaving at 6 am from David's house allowed us to enjoy the calm of Havana and especially see the calle Hamel which was a piece of art by itself. Indeed the artist transformed it into a huge art street inspiring himself from different book heroes and using bath... really amazing street! ... well when I was saying calm it was until we reached the road leading for the manifestation which was full of people, workers unions from Cuba and from other countries, students or just normal people. Almost everyone was having Cuban, Fidel, Ché or other flags, singing and dancing. A moment of joy celebrating the revolution and the working class.
We maybe walked for a km before reaching the Plaza de la Revolución. I was really amazed by this défilé, people were having fun and were proud to do the march. David told us that this march was even more important than the previous because it was the first celebration after Fidel's death. So it was important to show to the world that socialism in Cuba is not dead.
In any case we were very impressed by this event.
We came back around 10h at the house, got our luggage and at 11h we left for Viñales with a collective taxi.
11th-12th of May 2017
The trip was around 3h to reach the capital. We got stopped by the police officers right before a tunnel on the highway going to Havana for 15min. we then go into it and when we got out we were in old Havana... the landscape change was incredible: from the highway with the ocean on one side to the city downtown.
We got out and took a taxi. We needed to bargain a bit because the distance wasn't huge but the price offered quite high. The driver was young and nice, he finally accepted our price, asked me where I was coming from and when he heard Bulgaria he said "I didn't know Bulgarians are so good in negotiating..." (#feelingproud). We also were in a Moskvich so I had the opportunity to share my grandfather story for the 10th time. He was surprised to hear that and when he dropped us he told me: "you send my regards to your grandfather". Another demonstration of how good those people are.
As we had almost all the afternoon we had several missions we needed to complete before leaving:
Doria met in the meantime two nice French guys who just arrived in Havana to whom she explained our impressions and later on we thought we can invite them for a diner.
We then went in the Old Havana to check for souvenirs. There were not so many shops opened and the t-shirt I was willing to buy wasn't existing in my size. We came back in the late afternoon to relax and met those guys again. They accepted the invitation so we went all together for a diner and then to Casa de la Musica which is a "must see" in the guide
We went to the Sociedad Castropaul restaurant, a place suggested to us by David. It was located on Malecon. The choice was excellent ! It was of course a tourist place but the food was delicious, I ate again a ropa vieja. The daiquiris were also awesome.
We got a taxi and went to the casa. At the door there were two kind of people: the people getting in and the cab drivers trying to suggest either another place to go or to book their ride in advance. This is how we met Johnny who wanted to book us a car when we were about to leave.
After some hesitation we got in. The price was quite high compared to what we have paid previously: 15 pesos. Well to be honest we were all expecting something different. The casa actually represents a huge stage where were dancers (who were really good) and a band. However, on the ground there were tables just like in cabaret and people sitting to drink. The music played was mainly salsa. We enjoyed and danced for a bit even if the level was quite high even among the foreigners.
As expected Johnny was waiting for us so around 3:30 we were home.
12th of May
I have realized that I won't have time to do everything if I was going to sleep long. So I got my alarm set at 8 and managed to wake and get a coffee. While preparing my daily plan Doria showed up and said she is ready to go. We left together and went to the calle Hamel ... the street we passed by in the early morning while going to 1st of May celebrations. It was a bit more crowdy. This time we had a bit more time to check it in details and we were even more amazed by the work done there. A perfect way to use the materials and transform them into art.
Our second challenge was going to buy rum. We thought that going walking to the Havana Club museum must be easy and close enough... we were wrong. Hopefully a nice person explained us that it is better going there by taxi. The good part of this walk was the cathedral which was standing on one of the streets. Huge and magnificent, which looked a lot like the cathedral in Lyon... or at least I think so.
We finally got a cap for a fair price and reached the Havana Club Museum and bought the so much desired rum. The museum looked really nice by the way but we didn't have time to visit. The next stops were souvenirs and postal cards. Well, while walking we saw the Greek church and went to visit it. It looked indeed exactly to what I am used to see in Bulgaria or Greece. Small and beautiful one. We bought our cards in the old Havana as well as some souvenirs and a t-shirt I have seen the day before.
Our challenge was to go back before noon as we had the breakfast at David's house. Mission completed: we were home at 11h30. Quite a challenging morning!
We ate, packed our luggage, relaxed for a bit and went for the last mission of the day: visit the fine arts museum which was right behind the revolution museum. I took my last things to give with me: soap, the tennis ball and some pens. We saw a lady to whom I gave the soap and then a small boy walked to me asking to give him something too. He was expecting a soap too but when I gave him the all his eyes started to shine :) a very happy moment for us too.
While getting in the fine arts museum we met Julien who was getting out. He told us to start by the last floor where the colonial art starts. We decided to meet a 17h in David's house so we can leave together. The museum was huge and very interesting. I definitely agree that Cubans have a real talent in the fine arts. Too bad, it was forbidden to take pictures. In any case it is a must see.
We finished our day by taking a coffee in the old Havana, stopping for a bit more souvenirs in a nice open market and went back. Soon later we met Julien. It was time to get a shower and to leave. As promised David gave us the cigars we have ordered... time had come...
Outside an American car (taxi) was waiting for us... a purple one ... and the driver its lover. During the trip he explained us every detail of it. Indeed everything inside was authentic except the air condition he added later on. He was also able to give the brand and the year of each old American he has seen in the street. I asked for the price and he said 32 000 pesos which is more than an flat in Havana (around). Then I asked if the car belongs to him and the answer was sweet: "amigo, if it was mine, i wouldn't live in Cuba". Quite funny but which represents well the situation in the country.
We reached the airport and here I got my last emotional moment. I was standing outside on the bench looking for my jean in my bag so I can change before getting in the plane... a 7-8 years old boy was standing on the other side with luggage cart. When the tourists were coming we was going to help them expecting to get a small tip. At this moment he was eating Mentos (obviously a foreigner has given it to him because I haven't seen this brand in Cuba), an old person who cleaning the floor approached and the boy offered him one. Then the boy looked at me and asked me if I wanted one, I was speechless ... speechless about this boy offer & education ! I found myself in a situation where the poor gives to the richer...
I of course refused but got really emotional. This boy became my "star" in Cuba ! Indeed, you don't need a lot to be a good person or even you don't need anything to be good! The boy is the example!
Before leaving I found a torch on my bag, so I gave it to him and he started to play with.
We got out and took a taxi. We needed to bargain a bit because the distance wasn't huge but the price offered quite high. The driver was young and nice, he finally accepted our price, asked me where I was coming from and when he heard Bulgaria he said "I didn't know Bulgarians are so good in negotiating..." (#feelingproud). We also were in a Moskvich so I had the opportunity to share my grandfather story for the 10th time. He was surprised to hear that and when he dropped us he told me: "you send my regards to your grandfather". Another demonstration of how good those people are.
As we had almost all the afternoon we had several missions we needed to complete before leaving:
- buy cigars, rum and souvenirs,
- visit the street art at Calle Hamel,
- visit the museum of Fine Arts.
Doria met in the meantime two nice French guys who just arrived in Havana to whom she explained our impressions and later on we thought we can invite them for a diner.
We then went in the Old Havana to check for souvenirs. There were not so many shops opened and the t-shirt I was willing to buy wasn't existing in my size. We came back in the late afternoon to relax and met those guys again. They accepted the invitation so we went all together for a diner and then to Casa de la Musica which is a "must see" in the guide
We went to the Sociedad Castropaul restaurant, a place suggested to us by David. It was located on Malecon. The choice was excellent ! It was of course a tourist place but the food was delicious, I ate again a ropa vieja. The daiquiris were also awesome.
We got a taxi and went to the casa. At the door there were two kind of people: the people getting in and the cab drivers trying to suggest either another place to go or to book their ride in advance. This is how we met Johnny who wanted to book us a car when we were about to leave.
After some hesitation we got in. The price was quite high compared to what we have paid previously: 15 pesos. Well to be honest we were all expecting something different. The casa actually represents a huge stage where were dancers (who were really good) and a band. However, on the ground there were tables just like in cabaret and people sitting to drink. The music played was mainly salsa. We enjoyed and danced for a bit even if the level was quite high even among the foreigners.
As expected Johnny was waiting for us so around 3:30 we were home.
12th of May
I have realized that I won't have time to do everything if I was going to sleep long. So I got my alarm set at 8 and managed to wake and get a coffee. While preparing my daily plan Doria showed up and said she is ready to go. We left together and went to the calle Hamel ... the street we passed by in the early morning while going to 1st of May celebrations. It was a bit more crowdy. This time we had a bit more time to check it in details and we were even more amazed by the work done there. A perfect way to use the materials and transform them into art.
Our second challenge was going to buy rum. We thought that going walking to the Havana Club museum must be easy and close enough... we were wrong. Hopefully a nice person explained us that it is better going there by taxi. The good part of this walk was the cathedral which was standing on one of the streets. Huge and magnificent, which looked a lot like the cathedral in Lyon... or at least I think so.
We finally got a cap for a fair price and reached the Havana Club Museum and bought the so much desired rum. The museum looked really nice by the way but we didn't have time to visit. The next stops were souvenirs and postal cards. Well, while walking we saw the Greek church and went to visit it. It looked indeed exactly to what I am used to see in Bulgaria or Greece. Small and beautiful one. We bought our cards in the old Havana as well as some souvenirs and a t-shirt I have seen the day before.
Our challenge was to go back before noon as we had the breakfast at David's house. Mission completed: we were home at 11h30. Quite a challenging morning!
We ate, packed our luggage, relaxed for a bit and went for the last mission of the day: visit the fine arts museum which was right behind the revolution museum. I took my last things to give with me: soap, the tennis ball and some pens. We saw a lady to whom I gave the soap and then a small boy walked to me asking to give him something too. He was expecting a soap too but when I gave him the all his eyes started to shine :) a very happy moment for us too.
While getting in the fine arts museum we met Julien who was getting out. He told us to start by the last floor where the colonial art starts. We decided to meet a 17h in David's house so we can leave together. The museum was huge and very interesting. I definitely agree that Cubans have a real talent in the fine arts. Too bad, it was forbidden to take pictures. In any case it is a must see.
We finished our day by taking a coffee in the old Havana, stopping for a bit more souvenirs in a nice open market and went back. Soon later we met Julien. It was time to get a shower and to leave. As promised David gave us the cigars we have ordered... time had come...
Outside an American car (taxi) was waiting for us... a purple one ... and the driver its lover. During the trip he explained us every detail of it. Indeed everything inside was authentic except the air condition he added later on. He was also able to give the brand and the year of each old American he has seen in the street. I asked for the price and he said 32 000 pesos which is more than an flat in Havana (around). Then I asked if the car belongs to him and the answer was sweet: "amigo, if it was mine, i wouldn't live in Cuba". Quite funny but which represents well the situation in the country.
We reached the airport and here I got my last emotional moment. I was standing outside on the bench looking for my jean in my bag so I can change before getting in the plane... a 7-8 years old boy was standing on the other side with luggage cart. When the tourists were coming we was going to help them expecting to get a small tip. At this moment he was eating Mentos (obviously a foreigner has given it to him because I haven't seen this brand in Cuba), an old person who cleaning the floor approached and the boy offered him one. Then the boy looked at me and asked me if I wanted one, I was speechless ... speechless about this boy offer & education ! I found myself in a situation where the poor gives to the richer...
I of course refused but got really emotional. This boy became my "star" in Cuba ! Indeed, you don't need a lot to be a good person or even you don't need anything to be good! The boy is the example!
Before leaving I found a torch on my bag, so I gave it to him and he started to play with.
And below a small video about our trip:
In conclusion, Cuba you will always be in my heart.
Before going a lot of people told us that it is an amazing place once I came back I can add that it is a magical place. Indeed, Cuba reunites everything a tourist may look for:
Gracias Cuba! Viva Cuba !
Before going a lot of people told us that it is an amazing place once I came back I can add that it is a magical place. Indeed, Cuba reunites everything a tourist may look for:
- nice & lovely people, who even if are poor are always smiling and helpful,
- beautiful landscapes and amazing beaches
- great music
- traditions, culture and architecture
- amazing food and delicious fruits
Gracias Cuba! Viva Cuba !