Buenos dias, Havana!
Breakfast at the England Hotel or Hotel Inglaterra.
Great experience for about US$20.
Good food - buffet - with air conditioning.
FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Inglaterra
The hotel traces its origins to 1844, when a two-story building known as El Cafe or The Escauriza Saloon was built at the site. In 1863, El Cafe was sold to Joaquin Payret, who renamed it El Louvre. In 1875, Payret sold the cafe to finance construction of a theater across the street, and the Gran Hotel de Inglaterra was constructed, opening on December 23, 1875. The two-story structure was owned by Manuel López and Urban González and was designed in the neoclassical style. In 1886, the hotel was sold to Don Francisco Villamil, who added a third floor to the building.
Just outside of the hotel the vintage cars tours operators were calling us, but we decided to go for a walking downtown exploration before.
It was Sunday and the streets were super busy still.
People lining up with their identification cards for bread.
Che, the most popular guy around still.
Resilient, like Cubans.
Some buildings are in a very rough shape.
I wonder how much it's still from frequent earthquakes and hurricanes.
FROM: https://mymodernmet.com/rafael-san-juan-primavera-sculpture/
Cuban sculptor and professor Rafael San Juan celebrates the spirit of Cuban women in Primavera. His monumental sculpture, which was created for the 2015 Havana Biennial, is a study in movement and sensuality inspired by dancers from the Cuban National Ballet.
Primavera (Spring) soars 26 feet high over the corner of Galiano and Malecón, a long promenade looking out to the sea. With a powerful, wistful expression, Primavera gazes out into the water, her head topped with a crown of flowers. Its creation fulfilled a years-long dream for San Juan, who wanted to erect a permanent gift to the city of Havana.
Looking to bring a dynamism to the sculpture, San Juan was inspired by the words of Viengsay Valdés, lead dancer of the Cuban National Ballet. “Studying of the movement of Valdés conveyed the spirit of the piece to me and then her explanation of her concept of the Cuban woman captivated me,” he shared. “One of the suggestions she made was not to have her looking down, as here women are strong, they confront happiness, work, problems head-on.”
Pit stop to cool down.
Cute tiny car.
The Malecón.
FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malec%C3%B3n,_Havana
Construction of the Malecón began in 1901, during temporary U.S. military rule. The main purpose of building the Malecón was to protect Havana from the sea. To celebrate the construction of the first 500m section of the Malecón, the American government built a roundabout at the intersection of Paseo del Prado. According to architects of the period it was the first roundabout in Cuba to be constructed with steel-reinforced concrete. Bands played Cuban melodies there every Sunday. The Miramar Hotel was built in front of the roundabout. It was the first hotel in Cuba where the waiters wore tuxedos (dinner jackets) and vests (waistcoats) with gold buttons, and it was very fashionable for the first 15 years of independence. Subsequent Cuban governments continued the extension of the first section of the Malecón. In 1923, it reached the mouth of the Almendares River between K and L streets in Vedado, where the United States Embassy was built, near the José Martí Sports Park and, further out, the Hotel Rosita de Hornedo (today, the Sierra Maestra).
It's travelling in style time!
We got a one hour tour of the main attractions in central Havana with a guide for US$30.
The Golden Girls of Brazil having a blast!
hahaha
San Francisco Square or Plaza San Francisco
FROM: https://www.lovecuba.com/blog/havanas-4-plazas/
Plaza de San Francisco de Asis is quite open compared to other smaller squares. This was the colonial centre back in the 16th century, when it was built facing the port. The Spanish would stop here on the way to their homeland. The square is still bustling and vibrant with a lot of cafés and restaurants. It was fully restored during the 1990s.
One attention-grabbing building in the square is the former church and convent dedicated to St Francis and turned into the Museo de Arte Religioso (Religious Arts Museum). There is also Terminal Sierra Maestra, the former harbour for Spanish galleons, and Camara de Representantes which serves as a stately museum with some stunning architectural designs inside. This square is also home to Museo del Ron (Rum Museum) and Coche Mambi, the train that once served as the Presidential car.
Plaza de San Francisco de Asis is a great starting point when strolling around Old Havana. It’s close to the sea and abundant in dining options.
So much character!
The famous Revolution Square or Plaza de la Revolución, where I grew up watching Fidel Castro on TV talking to crowds during his rallies. This place combined with the Red Square in Moscow - which I also had the pleasure to visit with my parents years ago - created a mysterious and yet exciting imagination of the Cold War in my young brain. Even though those were forbidden places for a capitalist and christian little kid's mind, I secretly dreamt to go there one day. Here I am!
FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_de_la_Revoluci%C3%B3n
The Plaza is the 60th largest city square in the world, measuring 72,000 square metres (780,000 sq ft). The square is notable as being where many political rallies take place and Fidel Castro and other political figures address Cubans. Fidel Castro addressed more than a million Cubans on many important occasions, such as 1 May and 26 July each year. Pope John Paul II, during his 1998 first visit by a Pope, and Pope Francis in 2015, held large Masses there during papal visits to Cuba. The square is dominated by the José Martí Memorial, which features a 109 m (358 ft) tall tower and an 18 m (59 ft) statue. The National Library, many government ministries, and other buildings are located in and around the Plaza. Located behind the memorial is the Palace of the Revolution, the seat of the Cuban government and Communist Party. Opposite the memorial are the offices of the Ministries of the Interior and Communications, whose facades feature matching steel memorials of the two most important deceased heroes of the Cuban Revolution: Che Guevara, with the quotation "Hasta la Victoria Siempre" (Ever Onward to Victory) and Camilo Cienfuegos, with the quotation "Vas bien, Fidel" (You're doing fine, Fidel). It is also the site of several cultural institutions.
Finally, we got to the third square of this trip: the Old Square or Plaza Vieja.
FROM: https://www.lovecuba.com/blog/havanas-4-plazas/
Being located in the central part of the Old Havana district, this square changed its name several times. It was first built as Plaza Nueva or the New Square in 1559 as the third open space in the city. Besides being a spot for processions and bullfights, it’s now extremely important due to its architectural heritage. This is one of the most eclectic plazas with buildings dating back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Plaza Nueva was initially constructed as a popular, more lively alternative to Plaza de Armas, where administrative offices were situated. However, the novelty of this Plaza wore off, when yet another square, Plaza del Santo Cristo, emerged in Havana. Thus, Plaza Nueva became Plaza Vieja or Old Square.
Given that it was turned into a market during the 18th century, the plaza became a commercial centre and was named Plaza del Mercado, or Market Square. When the new market was installed at the beginning of the 19th century, the square regained its old name. It was later called Plaza Real, Mayor, Mercado, Fernando VII, etc.
The original fountain in its centre was made of Italian Carrara marble and adorned by four dolphins. It was replaced in the first half of the 20th century by an underground parking area. Ever since Old Havana was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, the square has been restored to its previous glory. There are several landmark buildings to see here. Pay attention to ornate stained glass windows on the second floor of La Casona Centro de Arte, or El Planetario with its Camara Oscura.
I wish we got here earlier.
This is such a pleasant place to hang out, but we had to head back to Varadero soon.
The last streets of Havana for us. :(
The very last attraction: The Floridita or El Floridita.
Goodbye Havana.
I hope you don't change that much... that's your charm, surviving through the painful passing of the time!
Thanks for being so authentic, resilient and gorgeous!
FROM: https://www.barfloridita.com/#:~:text=El%20Floridita%20%2D%20Hemingway's%20favorite%20bar%20in%20Havana.,of%20the%20Cuban%20capital%20Havana.
Hemingway's favorite bar in Havana. The bar "El Floridita" has a history of more than 200 years. Our bar has seen many times and countless people. Until today "El Floridita" is one of the most famous bars in the world and the hotspot of the Cuban capital Havana.
