Ready to leave the USA for the first time since the pandemic!
Arrival at the Jose Marti Airport in Havana
Prepaid taxi into the city.
No A/C, but I didn’t mind. Felt so good to be back on an island!
Old Havana
I was glad I brought a map because there’s no cellular data if you use a US phone.
Loved seeing all these old cars in bright colors!
Lots of dilapidated buildings, many that appeared to be occupied.
Hard to understand why people live in those conditions when the State pays for housing for everyone.
Class structures are just too ingrained, I guess.
Beautiful plaza in Habana Vieja (Old Havana) that was near my casa particulaire.
Casa particulaires are private homes where you can stay (and must stay, if your declared reason for traveling to Cuba is to “Support the Cuban People” (one of the 12 reasons you can go to Cuba in accordance with US law).
Beautiful harbor on the coast of Habana Vieja
Habana Vieja is incredibly beautiful.
A very old church.
(Don’t you love obvious captions?)
Religious art is everywhere
As are murals and street art!
I think this was a government building?
Beautiful plaza, but not many shops or restaurants.
SO HAPPY TO BE ABROAD!!!
I bought a couple pieces of crocheted jewelry from this local artisan at an open air market.
I thought her tattoos were so beautiful that I surreptitiously took a photo - don’t worry! I told her later!
As it turns out, Lara and her fiancé have a tattoo studio. I made an appointment for the next day!
He did an amazing job. Designed it and everything.
See for yourself!
Even trickier, it was a coverup job from an old tattoo I didn’t like. You can’t tell at all!
So this really happens….
Ready to move on to the next stop: Varadero.