An exercise in Cuban carelessness - Last day in Havana (Part 7)

After the breakfast, we head to the Plaza de Armes market, for which we whine about for some days. Not that there is something awesome there, but we have to buy presents. Despite the mission, the first thing that I buy is something for me – a beret with two sides, the first is with a star, and the second one is with Che. I buy a magnet for my microwave oven (everybody buys magnets for their fridges, and I buy them for my microwave oven). The rest buy some sundries for gifts and we move to another part of the plaza, where are being sold paintings.

While Jorje and I have a look at the paintings of famous and not so famous Cuban artists, we each buy a coconut for un peso. Mine is a bit sharp and his has unpleasant sweet taste. Naturally we are the only one who likes them, and that's because we paid for them. After we empty the coconuts, I try to taste the white meat inside. After a considerable hitting against the pavement, the nut opens slightly and by my last effort I cracked it into two pieces. I feel like a winner, I AM a winner. I bite a little of the inside lining and throw it away. At the end, the real winner is the seller.

We continue to the next themed part of the market, the one with books. We start looking for something of Hemingway in English or anything famous in English, but our task is rather hard. However, I find a photo album for a gift and manage to cut the price in half, which increases immensely the pleasure of the purchase.

The book market at Plaza de Armes

An exercise in Cuban carelessness - Following Hemingway's steps (Part 5)

For breakfast we go to the Ambos Mundos Hotel, where for some time have lived Ernest Hemingway. We go to rooftop via an old iron Otis lift and in front of us is revealed the magnificent view of the city and mainly of the near buildings – on a rooftop a man slowly, without overworking, simultaneously smokes and hangs out the laundry; a large baking pan with bread buns sits on a balcony, whether it is to finish the baking or to dry out the buns, I can't say.

Tiles

Three generations of tiles cohabit on a nearby roof.

An exercise in Cuban carelessness - Rainy Havana (Part 4)

As the previous night we experienced rather well the night life of Havana, on the next day it’s very cloudy in our heads. While having a breakfast, the mischievous clouds from our heads move one by one to the sky and hide the sun from our eyes. Seconds later, they greet us with the show “Torrential Caribbean rain”, which according to Osmel’s forecast will last 45 minutes max. Soon, it gets clear that the downpour will be more like a full day event, that’s why our daily tour takes on the following format – closed spaces, as in museums.

Driving around Havana, we pass near Malekon or at least try to, since the promenade is blocked by two soaked militiaman. The sea, similar to a small boy that is not very skillful at the flirting yet, not just sprinkles Malekon, but floods it outright with its naughty waves.

We go to El Capitolio, where was situated the government of Cuba before the revolution of 1959, and now houses the Cuban Science Academy. The place is huge and grandiose compared to the building of the current parliament, which is uncomely marble mastodon. In the center of the floor under the main dome, was built in a 25 carat diamond, which is claimed to be owned by the Russian tzar Nicolay II. After one successful theft and the mysterious return after two months, in the floor was built in a copy. Unfortunately, we did not understand where the original one is, nor they gave us its contacts. The diamond copy is being closely watched by the 15 m Statue of the Republic, which supposedly is the third largest indoor (under a dome) statue in the world after the Great Buddha of Nara and Lincoln’s memorial in Washington.

El Capitolio’s dome

An exercise in Cuban carelessness - Around Havana (Part 3)

In the morning, we meet Jose Raul, with whose help via email we rented van, our guide Osmel and some places to sleep. The funny thing about him is that when he recommends us something, he always uses the construction why, because – for example, It’s nice to rent that van why, because it has more space. We agree upon our plan for the next days and go to the Plaza de la Revolucion, where is situated a monument of Jose Marti. We meet the guy for the first time and understand that he was a national hero, poet and journalist, who died in his first battle. What a revolutionary! (If I am to become one, I will most probably get killed in my first fight, as well.)

Marti

The Jose Marti's memorial most probably offers splendid view of the city from the top (but we couldn't enjoy it why, because the lift wasn't working).

An exercise in Cuban carelessness - Havana (Part 2)

After a two hour in the bus from Varadero, we pass through a tunnel and come across a new interpretation of Jurassic park. Instead of dinosaurs and lush vegetation, in front of us opens up the sea-front Malecon Boulevard with its many semi-collapsed buildings and some renovated ones in colonial Spanish style, large American cars from the 50's and all kinds of Russian ones.

At the bus station, we meet Osmel, a 30 year old, tall Cuban, who will be our guide and driver. We take our luggage and get into two taxis, Ladas.

Celebrity in a Lada

One of my friends, Jorge, rolls down his window and waves to the long awaiting Cubans, semi-hidden behind the tinted windows of the car, his hat and sunglasses. Almost like a real celebrity!