We decided to get into the flow of life in the tropics and lingered over breakfast on the porch and did not venture out until midday.
Armed with the instructions from Mylena and Otto on how to hail a collectivo taxi and specify where we wanted to go, we set off with more than a little bit of trepidation. The collectivo taxis are basically unrestored old American cars that ply certain routes for 1 CUC (Convertible Peso) (worth about $1.25) per person per ride. The cars are basically rattle traps that spew noxious diesel fumes. The drivers weave slowly in and out of traffic depositing passengers at their destinations and picking up new ones along the way. They shift gears and make change for their passengers all at the same time. On our return trip from Havana Vieja tonight Harry noted that the car radio was basically filling the noise gap between the noisy muffler (actually I'm not sure these cars have mufflers) the crunching gears and the other rattles emanating from this ancient Plymouth.
Armed with the instructions from Mylena and Otto on how to hail a collectivo taxi and specify where we wanted to go, we set off with more than a little bit of trepidation. The collectivo taxis are basically unrestored old American cars that ply certain routes for 1 CUC (Convertible Peso) (worth about $1.25) per person per ride. The cars are basically rattle traps that spew noxious diesel fumes. The drivers weave slowly in and out of traffic depositing passengers at their destinations and picking up new ones along the way. They shift gears and make change for their passengers all at the same time. On our return trip from Havana Vieja tonight Harry noted that the car radio was basically filling the noise gap between the noisy muffler (actually I'm not sure these cars have mufflers) the crunching gears and the other rattles emanating from this ancient Plymouth.
The taxi let us off one block from our destination - the Museo de la Revolution which is fittingly housed in the former Presidential Palace. There are some current efforts to restore this building which seems to be crumbling before one's eyes which, of course, is the condition of the greater majority of buildings in Havana. The museum itself presents the history of the revolution through photographs, paintings, and memorabilia. The viewpoint is, understandably, pro-Castro and anti-American with a special emphasis on the numerous misdeeds of the CIA.
This brings me to wonder at why the Cubans we have met are so welcoming to us. Even more so when they learn we are American.
After the museum we wandered through the streets and found a restaurant for our midday meal which we ate on a second floor balcony overlooking a small square below.
After the museum we wandered through the streets and found a restaurant for our midday meal which we ate on a second floor balcony overlooking a small square below.
Then we wandered some more on lazy side streets and then ones with many more people and shops, the neighborhoods seem to change every few blocks. Eventually we wandered into a hotel and Harry purchased a one-hour WiFi card for $4.50 and settled down in a wicker chair. He has done amazingly well without Internet access so indulging him in this manner while I continued to wander through the streets was a good thing for both of us.
Street Scenes
Street Art
New Utilities Added to Old Buildings
Colorful Facades
Architectural Details
Signs on the Street
After exiting that ancient Plymouth tonight we stopped for a small bite to eat and then headed back to our lodging.
In this climate one can basically live outdoors a great deal of the time. We have not had a meal indoors since we arrived and at our lodgings and are on the porch except when we are sleeping. If there were beds on the porch I suppose we could do that too.
Speaking of bed.......
In this climate one can basically live outdoors a great deal of the time. We have not had a meal indoors since we arrived and at our lodgings and are on the porch except when we are sleeping. If there were beds on the porch I suppose we could do that too.
Speaking of bed.......