My recommendation for your first day exploring La Habana is to get rid of the map, forget any advice anyone has given you, and get lost. You do not have to worry about wandering into any unsafe neighborhoods or truly getting lost, as it is a safe city and so small that you will eventually find your way back to where you started.
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Having said that, do yourself a favor now and play the song above (Danay is a famous and beloved Cuban rapper) and join me on a photographic journey of the time where I followed my own advice and got lost in downtown La Habana:
Can anyone spot my dream car?
Yep, it was the pink one!
This is my favorite photo that I took on the trip and has been my screen saver ever since.
Un hombre enjoying his cohiba in the park.
Cuban pride is found everywhere.
Some friendly construction workers taking their break with me.
Parque Central
A statue of the beloved Jose Marti in Parque Central.
Capitolio Nacional
More fabulous cars in front of Capitolio Nacional.
Catedral de la Habana
Of course I had to end on a car shot!
If you have been following my blog long enough you would know that every day on the road with me has both its adventures and misadventures. And I can promise there was definitely a misadventure on this day. . .
Having still not properly seen La Habana yet, we chose to spend the day walking around the city. However, before we set out, we had one last stroll around the grand Nacional. Unfortunately, Kristin and I had to leave it for our new casa(Sergio and Miriam’s place was booked up for the next couple of days).
A glorious view of El Malecon from the window of our hotel room.
The grounds of the Nacional.
The Nacional's patio that had a view of El Malecon.
One last look at a hotel that will forever hold a special part in my heart.
We started our walk at the place I was most excited to see, because of its political significance: the U.S. Diplomatic Mission, which is located in Vedado across from the Nacional. In 2006, Castro erected huge flag poles with 138 black flags, each centered with a white star, that were aimed to block an electronic sign beaming messages from the facade. It is basically Castro’s way of giving the middle finger to the U.S. while still “respecting” the idea of freedom of speech. Cubans say the flags symbolize the people who have died as the result of violent acts against Cuba by Americans since its 1959 Revolution.
A view of the Mission and the notorious flags.
Another view of the Mission and the notorious flags.
A close-up of Castro's flags.
And of course there were more propaganda signs nearby, just in case the flags were not a clear enough message.
Bush + ? = Hitler. Only in Cuba!
Because it was incredibly hot with 100% humidity, we decided to indulge by taking a taxi into downtown La Habana. I love the following photos that I captured from out of the window along the way.
Once downtown, we simply got lost in the colorful and rhythmic city. . .
One of my favorite pictures from the trip. It was taken on our ride back to the hotel.
We decided the plan for the evening would include: mojitos at one of the Nacional’s bars, dinner at the nicest restaurant in town, and then dancing at a salsa club. We left M. to get freshened up and to check our e-mail. In case you want to get online while in Cuba head to the Nacional. It is one of the only places you can find a decent connection and you do not have to be a guest to use their computers.
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After donning my little black dress for the occasion, Kristin and I went to meet M. We found him with a huge smile on his face and a bag of my vice (chocolate). He said, “Everyone deserves a present on their Birthday.” I was so touched! Chocolate is a luxury in Cuba and he had spent quite a while walking around trying to find some for me. The 3 of us then sat to watch the sun set on El Malecon and to drink our mojitos and eat my chocolate. El Malecon is an 8KM street in La Habana that runs along the water and offers stunning views. At night mostly lovers meet there for romantic rendezvous’ and to listen to make shift bands play until dawn.
A sunset over El Malecon. It was definitely one of the most memorable ones of my life to date.
My Birthday mojito being made.
M., me, and Kristin toasting to meeting and to my Birthday.
Next, we went to La Guarida. This restaurant is famous for having the Cuban movie “Tresa y Chocolate” (fitting, huh?) filmed inside it. If you choose to eat there, which you absolutely should, make sure to make a reservation in advance.
The entrance to the restaurant.
Of course we had to make yet another mojito Birthday toast.
Unfortunately, Kristin started to feel bad towards the end of dinner, so we decided to nix the salsa club and take her back to the hotel. M. and I did not want to end the evening just yet, thus we decided to have a few more drinks in another Nacional bar. We continued our intriguing conversation from earlier in the day. I was enchanted by his round-the-world trip, as I had always dreamed of doing one myself. He offered to show me his pictures and I agreed instantly. After looking at his pictures, M. came up with the idea of going for a midnight dip in the hotel’s pool.
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Now I was going to be in a forbidden pool in a forbidden country. ¡Ay dios mio!
This was the pool (in the daylight) that we sneaked into at 2AM.
All in all, it was the perfect Birthday. Muchas, muchas gracias Kristin and M. for a day I will never, ever forget.
