La Habana

Havana, Cuba's capital and largest city, was where we were based and spent most of our time. It is a truly fascinating place, featuring plenty of historical sites, cafes, a rich jazz scene, and extremely warm and hospitable people . My personal favorite is La Habana Vieja, or the Old City, with its narrow streets and brilliant Spanish colonial architecture. Although the US embargo has put a stranglehold on the Cuban economy, it has allowed Havana to remain largely as it was prior to the Revolution of 1959. Buildings dating back to the Spanish colonial days are still standing, and vintage cars dating back to the 50's abound on the streets of Havana. What a pleasure it was not to see a single McDonalds or Starbucks anywhere. But see it now... the day will soon come when corporate America is unleashed on this enchanted city.


Waiting for our luggage upon arrival at Jose Marti Airport at around 2AM.	The stormy surf of the Straights of Florida crashing over the seawall onto the Malecon across from our hotel.	A man displays his garlic on sale at the Farmers Market.	Known as camels, these buses, hauled by tractor trailers, are prime means of transport in Havana.

A local band plays for shoppers at the flea market.	As this sign at Fortaleza (Fortress) de San Carlos de la Cabana suggests, I'm a long way from my home in Tokyo.	The sign reads, "Dear Imperialists: We are not the least bit afraid of you!" It is conveniently located directly across from US Interests Office.	Plaza de la Revolucion at dusk.

Here we are enjoying dinner at a paladar, which is a restaurant operating out of a private home. It is an excellent alternative to eating at one of Cuba's state run restaurants. You get a magnificent, home-cooked meal inside a majestic, colonial style home. Unfortunately, families often must shut down their paladares due to the high taxes levied by the state.	After our lovely dinner, we kicked back with some Havana Club and cigars and enjoyed the show at the Tropicana, Havana's premier nightclub. This outdoor nightclub has been putting on cabaret shows since 1939. To me, it conjured up images of Ricky Ricardo and his band on "I Love Lucy."	Taking in the ballgame at Estadio Latinoamericano between the Metropolitanos and Las Tunas. The sparse crowd was somewhat of a disappointment, and it seemed like there were more foreigners in attendance than Cubans. This was apparently because the Metropolitanos are not terribly good. Havana's other team, Industriales (the Yankees of Cuba) are the hot draw. The price for the best seats in the house: 3 pesos (about 15 cents) for Cubans, $3 for foreigners.	After more than 40 years, Ernesto "Che" Guevara is still promoting the Revolution in Cuba. I spotted this billboard on the road from Havana to Santa Maria del Mar.

On the beach at Santa Maria del Mar, about 20km east of Havana.	On our final day in Cuba, we got to visit a few Jewish synagogues, to which we donated several articles, including eye medicine. One of the synagogues we visited was Gran Sinagoga de la Comunidad Hebrew		After a week in tropical Cuba, this is what greeted us back in New York as we drove home from the airport.