Live from El Capitolio Nacional in Havana, Cuba

Yikes! Sorry it's been a couple days since we've made a post. We haven't been able to find internet in Cuba until now. Apparently, internet (like everything else here) is run by the government, and Cubans aren't allowed to use it unless they have strict supervision for research purposes or for work positions where it is deemed necessary. Most cities have one [state-run] internet cafe, but it's only available to foreigns, and for a hefty price. We'll still do our best to add postings and photos, but it'll be a little more tricky.

On Monday, Abra and I arrived in Havana from Cancun. After some serious interviewing and bag-searching at the airport, we caught a taxi to a Casa Particulares in El Centro. Casa Particulares are Cuba's version of a Bed & Breakfast, and are the cheapest way to sleep. For our first night, we went out for Italian with some Israeli tourists we met along the way. After dinner, we meandered down Havana's grand boulevards and back alleys in near darkness (it seems Castro can't afford street lights). Both exhausted, we decided to head back to the Casa to call it a night, only to discover we had cold showers awaiting us. Not having it, Abra discovered a tempting switch on the shower-head that was set to "Warm" instead of "Hot". Turns out "Warm" is cold, so maybe "Hot" is warm? In her attempt to slide the switch to the other side in hopes of warmer water, she was treated to a surprising electric shock instead (it was quite shocking).

Yesterday we decided to do some sight-seeing in order to get ourselves oriented in the city. We stopped by El Capitolio Nacional and later met up with some locals who wanted to introduce us to 2 truly Cuban creations: Rum & Cigars (our treat of course). After liquoring us up with a few mojitos, they tried to teach Abra and I the art of smoking a Cuban cigar. Take one was a failure, as the cigar dropped out of my mouth, singeing my neck and scattering ashes all over my white shirt on its way down. Fortunately, after a few pointers from the bartender, and a little practice I finally had a few successful puffs on our mini-Cubans. Now to work on the suave factor… as apparently I failed in that department too, according to Esteban.

A couple more miles, and many-many more photos later, we found ourselves back at the Casa for a traditional Cuban meal of white rice, black beans, avocado and beef. Our first impressions of Cuba are awesome. The people are warm, the colors are bright, and it has a very relaxed pace to life. It's also a photographers heaven. With covered sidewalks and columned streets, from the roads filled with 1950's American junkers, to abandoned (and sometimes not) dilapidated buildings, the possibilities are endless. The weather isn't too hot, though the humidity makes it a bit uncomfortable, but the mosquitos are obnoxious. Our timing couldn't be better as the streets are filled with make-shift bon-fires, and blaring boom-boxes as Cubans celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of the revolution. For now, it's off to Santa Clara, hopefully we'll see more of this city towards the end of our stay in Cuba.

Posted by Hans