Old Havana

Wednesday, April 08, 2015
Santa Monica, California, United States
Today started with a hotel buffet breakfast, Havana style... The choice of huevo (eggs) boiled, fried or scrambled, served with carne (meat usually pork) and gravy, or a sausage, that is very reminiscent of liverwurst...

We journeyed out into old Havana ... Each building with its own unique character... Some derelict, yet people style living there, and others immaculate.... The streets are filled with locals, that seem not to have to work... Yet others work tirelessly... Regardless of the job you do or don't, your receive exactly the same food, housing and services from the government...

Those with gumption, work to the bone to earn that extra peso, that may provide them with a better life, or at least something a little extra...

A Peso here is equivalent to the US dollar, so expensive for us... But it does go a little further than at home...


We hailed a tri-shaw taxi, to give us a tour of old Havana... He was very nice, took us to the San Jose market for craft, showed us the Capitol building (very similar to the Capitol in the US) and the to China town... Yes there is a China town ... The Chinese left in the revolution, but there traditions and legacy remain... There are the gates and the village...

You can tell that the city was very advanced for its day... Modern technology and buildings were abound for the 1950's but sadly the city has not kept up... Restricted by the revolution, has not just stopped time on technology, but the people here suffer, those wanting more, and with ambition are held back or are forced under world... And this that have no ambition aren't encouraged... Sadly you see generations of the same... As we do back home to those on welfare...

The cars are from the 1950's with the exception of some newer Koreans cars, Hyundai and Daewoo... There is the odd Peugeot and Mercedes, but few and far between... There is old and new everywhere, with much more old... The cars are either wrecks or restored, and like brand new...

We are enjoying the music, art and food... Although different to what we were expecting, there really is a separation here of local and tourist.... There are 2 supermarkets... One for us and one for the locals... There is two currencies, there are 2 types of restaurants... Very segregated...

We visited the revolution museum, very interesting perspective... And it is all about perspective when you look at war...

The people here I think are ready for change... And they may happen soon enough, with Fidel and Raul well into there 80's..

Loving the colours, we should use more of it in Melbourne...

Tomorrow off to new Havana

Love to all..

Xx
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Comments

Rachael
2015-04-13

Love the old cars (but of course I would - especially Chevy's).

I think we need to ban your blog at work - Anne, Karyn, Ivan and I spend more time analysing it then working :)

2025-02-17

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