Museo de la Revolucion

January 5, 2016

I am back tracking now as I finally have my missing photos.  So I am going back to Day Two in Cuba.  The first day was a total wash of course as we were trying to recover from the trip.  So Tuesday the 5th of January was our first day to get out and see some of Havana.  We walked over to the Hotel Aquario which is just on the other side of the Canal where Talaria is tied up to get some money changed and a taxi.

A toast on Talaria the night before we set sail for Cuba

As it turned out we were unable to change money at the Hotel Aquario but did find a taxi.  We were told to stop at the bank on the way downtown to change money.

Talaria across the Canal -Michael, Mel, Kris and Roger in front of Hotel Aquario

After the bank we just walked around a little trying to get our bearings.  We had hoped to visit the Capitolio but it is being renovated.  No luck there.  We did however stumble upon classic car heaven.  Actually, its a spot where "taxi drivers" gather with their old cars waiting to ferry tourists all around Havana.

Capitolio - fashioned after the US Capitol building

Taxi drivers and their classic cars

We decided to eat lunch at the Hotel Ingleterra- the oldest hotel in the city.  It was built in 1875 and declared a Nacional Monument in 1981.  After lunch we headed to the Museo de la Revolucion.  Seemed apropo to start a visit to Cuba learning about the Revolution that has made Cuba what it is today. 

The museum is housed in the former Presidential Palace.  The palace was once home to all the Cuban Presidents - before the revolution of course. 

Museo de la Revolution

It is a beautiful building that is now dedicated to the 1950s revolution primarily - however part of the museum is dedicated to the War of Independence from Spain.  As you enter the building and go up the steps you notice the  bullet holes in the walls from the attempt by student revolutionaries to assassinate the dictator Batista.

Bullet holes in the walls of the Presidential Palace

The folks working at the museum are quick to point out the bullet holes as the museum is propoganda heavy! 

One of the more interesting displays is the life like figures of revolutionaries Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. 

Former Presidential Palace - Current Revolution Museum

The dome inside the Museo de la Revolucion

The spectacular dome in the building extends up four stories.  Below is the palace ballroom which is currently under construction.

The ballroom in the Museo de la Revolucion

Construction workers - working on the former Presidential Palace ballroom

After touring the inside of the Museo de la Revolucion we wandered around outside for a little while.  The kids were just getting off school and heading out to play in front of the museum.

School kids playing

 
Capture the flag and soccer were the games of the day.  Looking for El Floridita we ended up on Calle Obispo - a lively place filled with little stores and restaurants.  Eventually we did make our way to the Floridita - home of the daiquiri.  Heaven forbid that you should order anything other than a daiquiri - you will quickly be informed that Mojitos are NOT what they are famous for.  You must have a daiquiri!! Daiquiri!!! 

El Floridita

El Floridita was a favorite haunt of Hemingway although it seems he had many "favorite" haunts.  Tourists are dropped off at El Floridita by the bus full.  Go in folks and get your high priced daiquiri and then move on and make room for the next bus load!

A boy and his dog on Calle Obispo

Styling!  The Cuba Way

 

Building in need of renovation

Renovated building

 

Notice the little balcony - so common on the buildings 

Reluctantly we called it a day and headed back to Marina Hemingway.  More tomorrow...

The Real Cuba

Cuba has a scent all its own - old car exhaust, burning oil and food all mixed up together. 

Its the first cue that you have reached the Havana shoreline - a unique and rich scent.

Also conspicuous as you reach Cuban water is the complete absence of boats.  There is no commercial fishing or recreational boating in Cuba - the only boats are the ones that arrive from somewhere else.  Often described as a country that time forgot Cuba's prized city Havana shows the wear.  Lacking the supplies to fix whats broken and maintain whats not - Havana surely does look forgotten.  Yet, underneath it all the splendor of Havana shines through.

The stained glass is broken and panes are missing.  The shutters show wear and the concrete and plaster need work.  But how beautiful those buildings must have been.  Almost all the buildings have balconies, beautiful scroll work and columns.  Some of the buildings have already been restored and are stunning as I am sure the rest will be in time.

 2011 brought change to Cuba.  With Raul in charge some private enterprise is now allowed.  Taking full advantage of the opportunity individuals set up little stores in the entryway to their homes.  Tourists can now purchase all the Che paraphernalia they could possibly want.

As you can see Havana's infrastructure is in serious need of attention.  Wires are running everywhere - sidewalks are crumbling and the streets have holes.

 

Contrasted with the urban decay is the art. Havana is home to a bustling art community and some artists prefer the street as their canvas. 

Cigars are about as Cuban as you can get and everyone smokes them.  Even Grandmas!

The Malecon

 
And of course, the Malecon is iconic Cuba.  It is true that folks gather there at all times. 
In the afternoon fishing or running and in the evening just hanging out.  The scenic road skirts the coast and on a windy day the waves break on the seawall drenching the folks on the Malecon.  They never seem to mind though - could be they want to feel the ocean.  Cuba is intoxicating and we are so happy to have had the opportunity to see Cuba as it exists now - before the influence of Cuba's large northern neighbor shows.