"Living Legends in Havana" Havana by Assenczo

The sheer scale of magnificent construction (and destruction) is awe-inspiring. The old city is huge and if it were kept up it would easily be comparable to major European city. There is the core around the Plaza des Armas with the numerous fortified points and the gradual expansion into the early 20th century period of stately albeit claustrophobically clustered buildings along narrow alleys.

Siesta Cuban style

Checking out the restaurant “scene” is as inevitable as useful. After several hours of marveling at the marvels, one could be pretty exhausted physically and emotionally and in a desperate need of “restoration”. One establishment claimed that if a person has not been a customer there he cannot claim that he knows Havana. It worked with me – I had to have a stamp of approval that I know Havana. In exchange I not only stuffed myself with food but was carried away by the effortless performance of a Cuban quartet. These musicians were quite deft in the business of music as well. They had their CDs ready for sale and the repertoire was varied so in addition to the standard Cuban evergreens they attached some Mexican, American and other popular tunes.

• Pros:Coca cola + Rum = Cuba Libre
• Cons:Old city practically in ruins
• In a nutshell:Boundless beauty