rushing around Havana

So we left the last post on the way to lunch - and yes it was a good one, I just hadn't come across those photos yet- but here are a few from our lunch above the plaza-

first the plaza- this is the first one restored - and it was done and brand newly restored when I was here in early 2012 and now it is less than pristine- a mere four years later... this is a tough climate to keep things pristine in... literally and figuratively-

our lunch place was upstairs on the plaza-

we all met by this sign and then headed to the bus which took us to the National Art Museum of Cuban art- which had many works I would have shown you but no photos allowed inside---

this is the entrance to the museum- and the only place where photos can be taken-

the others went to the hotel and we immediately met our bici-taxi driver for our arranged tour- an hour around his own neighborhood in Central Havana and a drive by Chinatown.... these are just a few photos of things I saw from under the canopy when we went for our ride-

Havana China Town gate-

a scary toilet store??? LOL

many of the buildings in Central Havana looked like this- the area is much more run down than Habana Vieja...

but there also new things like this business...

as our driver noted -there is much more trash in the streets in Central versus Old Havana- because the tourists don't cross the Prado much - it gets less attention from the government services according to him.

heading back across town to the Old City-

a view inside as we pass by some Central Havana buildings show the details of their once magnificent construction... now barely hanging on...

We get back to the hotel in barely enough time to make a pit stop before getting on the bus for our trip to another artists home for dinner- this one works in mosaic- and I will post one photo to entice you back for the dinner post! LOL

see you at dinner!!!

amazingly full day

Our trip began in earnest today... much to see and do.  we started with a visit to the senior citizens center where we toured the church before visiting with the ladies and gentlemen who use the senior facility.  When we got our chance to interact with the folks there we exchanged songs and stories (in broken language skills for most of us.) Another group member and I played dominoes with a couple of the ladies there and were skunked 2-0 by the pros...LOL- we were lucky there was no wagering.

From there we went to the art and handicraft market where much of the art had two themes - Che and vintage cars... little innovation here but I did buy a baseball related photo for Phil. Then on to lunch at place along the harbor called El Templeto. This lunch started as every meal would with a rum drink. Cola is available called TuKola and sometimes TuKola diet...LOL

after lunch we toured old Havana and saw buildings in various states of repair along the route we took between three of the four main squares (plazas) in the old section of town.  We saw the hotel that Hemingway lived in before he and Martha Gelhorn (wife number 3) moved to the countryside outside of Havana, and several of his haunts.

we took bici-taxis back to the hotel at the end of the afternoon. Dinner was back in old town and then Leo took us to the only micro brewery in Cuba and then on to Floridita (home of the Daiquiri!)

so let's get to some photos to show you the day:

three of the Church where the senior citizens came for meals and fun and games

local color- the mops are different than ours are-

the folks at the center:

a boxing gym with stands for viewing:

an office in the art and handicraft market (note the ever present Che poster - his image is EVERYWHERE)

 

after lunch we started our tour in the square where the book market is located - check out the Hemingway classic - along with some revolutionary books...

some views along the way of both restored buildings and peeks at local life- an occasional "shop" and some of the Hemingway sites:

above: a look into a shared dwelling courtyard
below: the hotel where Hemingway lived

an old pharmacy which still sells homeopathic meds and then a little girl above the bakery next door along with the painted front of the bakery:

details from some buildings:

the cathedral square:

a blind guitarist outside one of the Hemingway haunts:

a small store front with handicrafts:

bici-taxi sign and some of the group on the way home to the hotel in the afternoon:

one of the four plazas and this one has undergone extensive restoration- photos of before and after are located in front of each restored building:

dinner was located in the plaza below:

then we went on to the brewery where Leo poured and then on to Floridita for the famous daiquiris!

busy day in Old Havana- but tomorrow holds new things as well- so stay tuned!