How different local lifestyle is just one block away from the centre of town where the tourist hotels, associated landmarks and attractions are located. This area is Havana's most densely populated district with approximately 170,000 packed into just 3 sq km.

A couple of local bakeries were open while another guy who was no doubt shouting El pan! El pan! selling bread out of his homemade wooden cart. The newspaper guy was walking the streets calling out to the locals to come out of their houses and buy a paper ...

Taking the most direct route down Calle Virtudes, from the Centro Habana towards the Velado district and the Hotel Nacional, there were hardly any vehicles parked outside the houses showing only a few could afford a car. Only a few of the locals were outside their houses watching the world go slowly by at this hour of the morning (8.15 am / 8:15). I suppose it is Sunday. In fact the streets around Havana were generally very quiet compared to other capital cities that I have been to. This will only change in time. At least the roads are wide enough even though many will need to be resealed.