Welcome to a forgotten corner of the ancient forest.
Before we left Australia for our central american odyssey we did all the important research regarding our stay in Cuba. We watched the Buena Vista Social Club and several other Cuban movies, we hunted out somewhere to stay via the internet and booked ahead. The place was full of mystique. Imagine snubbing your nose at the USA. We pictured a country where people were poor but basically happy and defiant. The reality is somewhat different.
Arrival at the international airport in Havana is the first culture shock. I think immigration is modelled on a John LeCarre spy novel, it is a first and dramatic introduction to a communist cold war mindset that is still alive and well in Cuba.
We were staying in Habana Vieja (Old Havana), we thought it sounded like the authentic and romantic Havana. It turned out to be the squalid Havana. Having travelled in India and Nepal you would think that I would be comfortable with squalor but I found it more disturbing here. In India the squalor arises from the poor constructing the best accomodation for themselves that their poverty allows. In Havana the squalor arises from the apathy with which great architecture is rapidly decaying in the tropical climate.
We had planned to spend some days in Havana but two was quite sufficient to see those icons of the Cuban capital and we made a dash for the country. Our logic being that the corruption and exploitation of tourists that is to be found everywhere in Havana may be somewhat diluted in the country.
There are many jewels hidden amongst the leaves in this forgotten part of the ancient forest. Spend some time browsing and you are sure to find some. Click here or continue your search below
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