By Katherine Dobbs
It is a beautiful place – at times, hauntingly so. I felt at home in the narrow streets of Old Havana. I lived for the smells of street food, the sounds of the bustling city life, dodging out of the way of the constantly whizzing-by-like-it’s-the-Autobahn vintage Chevrolets, and the warmth of the Cuban people that greeted me at every turn.
The buildings are amazing, and they are decorated with Che Guevara murals and revolutionary quotes. Much of the beautiful colonial architecture lining the world-famous walkway along Havana’s shores, the Malecón, has been gorgeously restored.
That being said, I came to love it with all my heart. I was in Havana on a study abroad trip. After classes, at night, I would climb into a maquina (the taxis of Cuba – vintage Chevrolets, Fords, driving at the speed of light!) to go explore the city.
Flash forward about fifteen minutes of a fun, blurred taxi ride, and I was scooped out of a taxi at the Malecón walkway, ocean waves spraying over the sea wall and welcoming me to the city’s nightly party.
The Malecón pulses with sound and people after nightfall – it becomes a living, breathing entity that could very well sum up the spirit of Cuba. Young and old, all gather here to meet, greet, drink, and socialize. It is a beautiful party, night after night, requiring no RSVP or invitation, but welcoming all with open arms and a rebel spirit.
If there is anything I know for certain, it is this: when life hands you something good, you take it. This was my experience in Cuba. I was presented with a constantly moving, beautifully chaotic, yet peaceful life there, and it was something worth having.
I plan to return to beautiful Havana soon, to learn more about the amazing and strong people of Cuba and to continue my happily ever after there, all with a mojito in one hand and a genuine, true smile on my face.
The Cuban government accuses the independent media "El Toque" of influencing more than its economic…
Ortega and Murillo were never able to scare Rolando Alvarez into silence or get him…
The Alhucema Solidarity Initiatives Association based in Seville, Spain also sends medical supplies to Cuba.
In order to improve navigation and features, Havana Times uses cookies.