Day 20 - 21 - Havana History

Day 20-21 Saturday 19^th Sunday 20^th March          Living History

Back to Havana after a 1.5 hour flight and we make our way back to Casa Nilda in the hope she has a room available. Luck on our side she does and greets us like part of the family. Nilda actually reminds me of my grandmother which I think makes the experience nicer, on top of the fact that her apartment is quite nice.

Dark clouds an omen?

There's a-change a-comin'

The Malecon in lockdown to traffic

Hotel Nacional Bar

Havana Veja standing proud

We look forward to experiencing a buzz in Havana given B’rak’s impending, history making visit. A trip to Hotel Nacional is a step back in time. Built in 1930, it has survived 2 revolutions, been a Mafia centrepiece in Cuba, and hosted all manner of celebrity, Mafioso and world leader. Walking through the place it harks back to its history with photos and artefacts dedicated to its colourful past. It is also alive with Americans everywhere including what we suspect to be US secret service men. Something about the buzz cuts, standard issue backpacks and clothes gives them away. Also many TV crews doing random filming around the hotel grounds gives it an active vibe. We made a day of it at the hotel, drinking “cocktail de Mafioso”, a variation of the mojito, some mojitos, lunch and just generally soaking up the atmosphere.

Saturday night was spent at the Fabrica de Arte Cubano, a seriously cool warehouse space over multiple levels hosting bands, movies, art shows, multiple bars etc, all at the same time. Tourists and Cubans alike mingle. This space has a European vibe about it and screams new Cuba, it could be planted anywhere in Europe and not be out of place. www.fac.cu is a definite must see in Havana.

Sunday, our last day and back for a bit of reminiscing in Havana Veja. Also, B’rak and his posse are visiting here at the Plaza de la Catedral  later in the day, so there is plenty of last minute preening of the city, news crews taking strategic position, and very obvious security. Havana Veja goes into lock down at 4pm with no one allowed in our out. We took position in a bar one block away from the cathedral and were resigned to watching history on TV.

Here’s a musing; it started raining heavily today in Havana, the first rain in many weeks. Gina’s theory is that a dark cloud is coming over Cuba as American influence approaches. Nilda’s view was that the rain was washing away the negativity of US v Cuban relations.

What'll it be?

Coctail de Mafioso

 

Grand dining room

What would Che think?

We watched, along with many at the bar, B’rak touch down, and then make his way to the Cathedral, excited in the knowledge that history was happening 300 metres away from us. It was both exciting and eerie seeing Havana in lockdown, streets empty to the buzz of traffic and people, the air cleaner, and the like. The downside to us was that it was an effort trying to find a taxi, as we had to walk a fair way out of the city that night, in the rain, to find a taxi!

And so ends Ginz Cuban Cavorting. We feel privileged we are finally able to visit, and do so at a time when history is being made. OK, so we miss the Rolling Stones playing their free show on the 25^th, but small price to pay for being able to visit this country. So many positive experiences and memories, and seriously, the Cuban people are wonderful.

Hasta l'avista Cuba!

Next steps, transit to Mexico as we head to LA for the trip back home. We are ready to return and are excited to see Rexy!