Today we met Geovanis, a guy who works in the building we live in. He took us for a little scenic tour of the neighborhood. We walked past crumbling houses shaded over by tall leafy trees. It was a little eerie because the architecture was beautiful, the buildings large with grand iron fences, and it was clear that they once belonged to the rich families of Havana. Now their concrete walls have holes and chipped paint, the fences are rusty, and the lawns are overgrown, and more than one family lives within the dying structure. Although it is sad to see all of these beautiful buildings now crumbling with age and a lack of maintenence, they have retained their charm, and probably gained some throughout the years. The contrast between the images I saw in front of me, and the ones I imagined from the time of Batista, was overwhelming. The neighborhood is now home to the memories of yesterday and the realities of today.
We ended up going to a local agricultural market for some watermelon and then turned around and came back to a little paladar next to our residence for some Cuban sandwiches. A paladar is a little restaurant in someone's house and it is usually very cheap. So we got a 50 centavo lunch and enjoyed it with our new friend as we chatted about music and partying, Obama and politics, and Cuba.
Tonight he took us to go out dancing, but we didn't have much luck in finding a club. We ended up walking around in search for a club but finding them either full or completely empty, just walked along the Malecon, stopping in various places to chat or listen to an impromptu music group. We had fun together just enjoying the clear night, the warmth, and the sounds of Habana. Geovanis seemed disappointed that he couldn't find a decent club and be a wonderful host but to all of us, we were completely happy to just be there.
And what better way to finish the night but with a walk up to the 13th floor?
We ended up going to a local agricultural market for some watermelon and then turned around and came back to a little paladar next to our residence for some Cuban sandwiches. A paladar is a little restaurant in someone's house and it is usually very cheap. So we got a 50 centavo lunch and enjoyed it with our new friend as we chatted about music and partying, Obama and politics, and Cuba.
Tonight he took us to go out dancing, but we didn't have much luck in finding a club. We ended up walking around in search for a club but finding them either full or completely empty, just walked along the Malecon, stopping in various places to chat or listen to an impromptu music group. We had fun together just enjoying the clear night, the warmth, and the sounds of Habana. Geovanis seemed disappointed that he couldn't find a decent club and be a wonderful host but to all of us, we were completely happy to just be there.
And what better way to finish the night but with a walk up to the 13th floor?
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