The Solo Traveler Blog

Havana: limitations and luxury in 12 photos.

Published December 27, 2009 | By Janice

I traveled solo to Cuba a few years ago. It’s a country of limitations and luxury. It seems to offer a charmed life and a hard life all at once.

Here are a few photos of my solo travels in Havana and environs that showed me a bit of the range that this unique country offers.

 

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    A classic car in old Havana

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    Students lining up for school.

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    The school children were absolutely charming.

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    I delighted watching these young dancers.

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    The Hotel Racquel, where I stayed, was stunning.

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    Buildings awaiting attention in Old Havana.

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    Kids played baseball everywhere. All it took was a stick and a stone in some cases.

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    Even the front lawn of the Capitol Building had kids playing baseball.

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    This view outside Havana required a mountain hike.

     

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    Orquiderio Soroa in Cuba has flowers that take your breath away.

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    Musicians on the Malecon in Havana.

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    Street performers in Old Havana.

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    And the classic monument to Che.

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Posted in Solo travel stories
  • http://alittleadrift.com Shannon OD

    I just love that shot of the dancers – as you say, I’ve heard that the Cubans, for all of their hardships are still ready and willing with a smile in many cases. I look forward to experiencing some of this next month :-)

  • Amy MacLeod

    While visiting Varadero and Havana in 2006, I spoke with Cubans whenever possible after I felt I’d built a modicum of trust. An example of the typical response I received when I asked about their lives? I asked the driver of a small horse and buggy taxi how it was that he spoke English so perfectly. He was a High School Phys Ed teacher who had to get into ‘tourism’ in order to feed his children.

  • http://veloroo.blogspot.com Ken

    Nice photos. And a nice nudge. Cuba’s at the top of my list of places to visit. I have to suss out the logistics of getting there (probably via Cancun).

  • admin

    Given your destination, I gather that you are going to a resort. That makes your time there quite safe but there are still a few things to remember. The bars at an all inclusive resort can be enticing but it is important not to drink too much. Keep your head clear so that your decisions are good ones. Also, I recommend that you stay in public. That may mean, for example, declining invitations to share taxis when going to town. Take the shuttle bus instead and you know that you’ll be safe.

  • myrna

    I am leaving for Varedara on the 10th will arrive 5:45 am on the 11th and leaving on the 18th early morning. I want to see as much as I can. Am travelling solo so safety is an issue. any suggestions?

  • Ruth

    I travelled to Cuba and back on Dec 27 also. Central Havana gave me the shock while Havana Vieja seems to me a struggle to live with the fact that oney matters after all – in this socialist state.

    Hard life are facts to be witnessed almost everywhere in this city but I was awed at seeing how its people taking in all this and still are able to enjoy life. A shame on us big city people who just work and no play.

  • admin

    I did not say it is a completely charmed life. It is also a hard life in many ways. But the smiles are full and genuine even when playing baseball with a stick and a stone.

  • Raul

    Beautiful place but I somehow doubt it is a charmed life. Check out Old San Juan for what a beautiful colonnial town looks like!

About Janice Waugh

I'm known as the solo traveler. I traveled solo in my twenties and I'm doing so again. Here's the backstory...Continue Reading >>

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