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Note: There is a lot in this post. The more you read, the more images you see, and the more links you follow, the more you will learn. Then again, I understand time is a limitation. Enjoy however you can.
We Baby Boomers remember images of a fun-loving Havana from the 1950s movies. We also remember the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1963. Given the latter and the almost 60-year trade and travel embargo, I never imagined visiting Havana, Cuba.
While approaching the city, I was anxious with anticipation. The thought of a time gone by with a sea of vintage American cars. A place caught in a time warp. A place of disrepair from years of neglect. A place with unhappy people from years of suppression and poverty.
Pulling into the cruise terminal, I was struck by the two adjacent terminals appearing as weathered, empty shells of what they once were.
I expected vintage cars dominating the roads. Yes, they are present – but most serve as taxis and tour vehicles, which are primarily visible when cruise ships are in port. Yes – old cars (clunkers) are present – but I see them at home. Yet in Havana, I also saw newer cars and vans. After all, do you think the European and Asian automakers are going to stay away just because the US automakers did?
For our brief stay (10 AM – 5 PM), we spent most of our time on a walking tour of La Habana Vieja – Old Havana.
Old Havana allows visitors to engage with colonial Spain. Its narrow streets (many are closed to traffic), pleasant plazas, grand architecture, and an array of colors transports visitors into the past. Shops, vendors, music, and places of work allow visitors to engage with today’s Havana.
Old Havana’s colonial architecture is grand and serves as a sign of its prosperous past. The buildings drew me to Havana’s heart. After all, I love “old city” sectors – especially in Europe – and Old Havana has an Old World feel. Although worn buildings serve as a reminder of the past 60 years, renovations and fresh coats of paint delivered a sense of hope for the city and its people.
We went into one pharmacy that I would not have known what it was if it wasn’t for the guide.
Travelling in Florence, Italy about five years ago taught me something very important that has stayed with me when I travel – Look Up! Because people’s eyes tend to focus on eye level, especially looking into store windows, many never see the fabulous sights found above. If you ever visit Havana, look up!
Havana does have a combination of oddities and time warp.
- US Credit Cards and ATM cards are not accepted!!!
- Visitors cannot receive Cuban Currency in advance!
Tourists have a different currency than the locals. I have no idea how that is managed within its society! CUPs (Cuban Pesos) are for the locals. It’s bills have images of people on them. CUCs (Cuban Convertible Pesos), for the tourists, are obtained just outside the port of entry for a modest 15% exchange rate. CUC bills display images of monuments – so when receiving change after a payment, I always checked the bills because the two currencies are not equal.
Travellers may convert CUCs for currencies when leaving for another 15%. Because I don’t believe British Pound Sterling, Euros, and Canadian Dollars have as steep of an exchange fee – if at all! We came home with a 10 CUCs that we planned to give to a friend who is visiting Cuba in November. A win-win would be to sell them to her for $10 – but what the heck! However, President Trump’s latest travel restrictions changed her cruise itinerary, so she’s not going.
Cubans are economically poor. I could see it in some neighborhoods seen from the ship. Wages are low for most jobs. However, Cuban culture is rich and the people show their pride in their dress, music, food, services, and interactions. I saw and encountered a lot of kindness.
I also noticed that Cubans embrace their past, deal with the present, and are hopeful for their future.
Not only was Havana better than I expected, the sights, sounds, and people collectively worked in sync to captured my heart – so yes – I would be willing to return – well, if the travel door reopens.
I wonder what lies ahead for the nation and its people. Time will tell. For now, it seems capitalism is slowly working into society. Its Communist Party still runs the country, and I didn’t not see signs of that changing.
As the ship departed the port, I again look at those two weathered, gutted terminals – but this time I smiled because I was thinking that they are now being renovated in order to increase the number of spots for cruise ships from 2 to 6 – therefore a sense Cuba is ready to embrace the world – maybe even the US. On the other hand, the current administration wants to keep us distant. Would you want to miss sights like this?
Enjoy this 3-minute video of Old Havana by National Geographic
We recently saw Cuba, a new IMAX film, during a visit our museum center. The trailer is below.
Just lovely Frank. Thecphotis and the link to Guantanamaro!
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Holly,
I’m sure you know your share of Cubans, and hear a variety of thoughts about it and the relationship between the two governments. On the other hand, it was interesting.
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In a city 76%. Latino that have not assimilated but rather live in their own culture we still got along well though that has deteriorated due to a lack of trust generated by the racist tactics and threatening actions of the Trump regime. Our own Rep Senator dubbed « little Marco » by his boss, a member of a Cuban immigrant family from the 60’s when we threw open the door to welcome them refuses to stand up for today’s immigrants. It’s a sad and disturbing world.
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It looks such a vibrant culture. And a short visit is better than no visit at all I guess. It’s a place I would have liked to experience back when I was a traveller. I hope you get another opportunity despite your government’s decisions.
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Pauline,
Agree on all counts. To me, cruise ships are like a travel sampler … just a taste, but not a meal. Most stops are only a day, so just enough for a taste. Yet – a taste is better than not eating. Regarding the government decision, looks like we got there just in time.
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This is amazing post dear Frank, I loved it. But my favorite one is this little cuban boy, loved so much… Thank you, Love, nia
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NIa,
I enjoyed the dancing boy too! Thanks for travelling along.
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It looks like a wonderful trip, Frank. The two different currencies is so strange.
I always look up. 🙂
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Merril,
Glad I made it to this intriguing city. I thought I heard someone say that China uses (or used) a two-currency system – but I don’t know. I wonder how the exchange between currencies within Cuba works.
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Great post,Frank. Cuba has been on my bucket list for some time , but the travel ban has put the kibosh on that plan for now. I do hope it will be possible once this administration is gone. Loved watching the dancing boy. Such joy and energy. 😃
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Sylvia,
From what I understand (although it makes no sense), the order stopped cruise ships but not the airlines. To me, if the airlines are still operating flights, there must be a way to get through the maze.
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What an interesting post Frank. Especially the note on their being two different currencies in play.
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Colline,
Thanks. The two currencies was weird, plus I wonder how it works within the system. Nonetheless, we had a delightful day!
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Definitely one of your best-ever posts! Fine job writing just enough, showing just enough, commenting just enough, and speculating just enough to create a tantalizing sense of the place, people, culture, and the political void being exploited by Trump and the captive GOP.
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Tim,
Thanks for the kind words. I purposed tried playing with both sides of a coin – so, I’m glad to hear that it worked in your eyes.
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Very well-done! Loved the little boy. The pictures are revealing.
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Eilene,
The little guy seems to be a hit with multiple readers. The band also appeared in the Cuba film! Glad you enjoyed the pics.
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Enjoyed this, Frank. Thanks.
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John,
Thank you kind sir.
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What a beautiful tour, Frank. Despite being economically ‘poor’ Cuba’s healthcare rating is surprisingly close to our and has a lower infant mortality rate. Old Havana has such such a romantic feel to it. Thanks for sharing. I wish our country would rethink the embargo completely. Sixty years and it’s done nothing to change the government and makes for unnecessary hardship on the people who least deserve it. Fascinating that there are two ‘currencies.’
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Monika,
Old Havana is unquestionably special – and I was lucky to visit. I too question the embargo, but I don’t know anything about Cuban health care.
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Their system is rated not that far from ours but the infant mortality rate is lower, surprisingly.
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It seems you covered so much in a short visit. Cuba, so near and yet so far. It is a shame our government continues to fear a relationship with Cuba. This was a very informative post and tour!
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Jo,
Thank you and glad you enjoyed this. Doing Old Havana justice in one post was difficult – therefore why the post is so long with many pictures (not normally my style). But the post was fun to put together.
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Next time I travel, I will try to remember to look up. 🙂
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Inspiration,
Welcome first-time commenter. Those who don’t look up miss much of the character. Definitely do so.
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I have not been there, but almost everyone I know has. It is an inexpensive, easy holiday from Toronto. Maybe next winter I’ll just do it!
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Oh, how this post reminds me of my trip to Cuba a couple of years ago before the travel ban was imposed again. Havana is a beautiful vibrant city in spite of the decay seen on buildings.
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Zambian,
Your comment made me smile because I see it as verification. Thank you. 🙂
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It looks beautiful.
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