El Malecón

El Malecón: 7-mile long wall/sidewalk/road/hangout that follows the coast of the city of Havana. Sometimes it is quiet, sometimes it is hoppin’, sometimes it is covered in 20-ft. waves, sometimes it is burning hot from the strong rays of the sun, sometimes it is clean, sometimes dirty, sometimes dangerous, sometimes a party. Whenever you go there or look at it, however, you are sure to be entertained in one way or another, and therefore it is one of my favorite places in Havana. In nice weather or on holidays you cannot find an empty space on the wall. During the day and evening, fishermen line the shore with their fishing line and buckets, no poles. Kids skip along the wall, jumping over lazing tourists if necessary. Couples sit together, talking and kissing, watching the city go by. For almost any occasion, the Malecón is the place to go.
The Malecón is also the best place to get a feel for the city and get a glimpse of the architecture and
history. With a long walk along that great wall, you pass by majestic statues of important historical figures and events, large tourist hotels, run down stadiums, and buildings that were obviously gorgeous at one time, now past their prime, but still beautiful in a different way. You walk past and along with Cubans and foreigners, by bicitaxis and horse-drawn buggies. In one long walk you can stroll through history and experience today and yesterday in the same moment.
Our building looked out over the Malecón and got the best views of the sunsets, people, broken down cars, and storms. Whenever a frente frio, cold front, moved in, we knew first of all from the wind up there on the twelfth floor, and second from the huge waves that would flood the Malecón soon after. Although it happened quite a few times during our stay, the size and strength of the waves never ceased to amaze me. One day the waves flooded two blocks away from the Malecón, unfortunately preventing us from walking to school.
The Malecón became the best place to do homework, listen to music, hang out, or go on a date. We would sit there for hours with our iPods, journals and books or just with friends to talk and enjoy the view. It was also the prime location to take a dip after a vigorous game of fúbol with the boys. After playing our hardest, sweaty and energized, we jumped happily in that deliciously warm water as the sun melted into the ocean at our fingertips.