29 February 2016 ~ Plaza de la Revolución

Listening to: Etta James ~ I'd Rather Go Blind

Happy Leap Day!


Havana's Revolution Square is home to many government buildings, including the Ministry of Interior adorned with Che Guevara and the quote: "Hasta la Victoria Siempre" (Until the Everlasting Victory, Always).

The Ministry of Communications steel memorial facade is Camilo Cienfuegos with the quotation "Vas bien, Fidel" (You're doing fine, Fidel). 



The square is dominated by the Jose Marti Memorial, which features a 358 ft tall tower and an 59 ft statue.

Fidel Castro gave many long speeches here, to upwards of 1 million people. Popes also gave mass here during the papal visits of 1998 and 2015.

28 February 2016 ~ Guarapo

Listening to: Morgane Stapleton ~ You Are My Sunshine (Southern Family)

After a warm afternoon walking around, we stopped for Guarapo, or Sugar Cane Juice.

Here is the waiter putting in the sugar canes and squeezing out the juice from the pulp. Sorry that it's sideways.

The cafe counter.

My finished drink. Yes, I splurged and had the added rum. Not too sweet.

This was an interesting fish sculpture.

20 February 2016 ~ Romeo y Julieta

Listening to:  Leslie West ~ Turn Out The Lights

One day we visited a cigar factory, one of the most famous in Cuba, Romeo y Julieta. It really was named after Shakespeare's masterpiece. Founded in 1875, it has won numerous awards.

Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed within the factory. But even on a day not considered "hot" by Cuban standards, most workers were in tank tops and the fans were blowing. Cigar rollers are paid $10 per month, but are also given 10 cigars per week that do not pass "inspection", which they are free to sell on the open market.

This was the first time I had seen Fidel's picture anywhere in the country.

Not only do they sell cigars in the collective, but also rum.

12 February 2016 ~ Plaza de San Francisco

LuLu & The Lampshades ~ Cups (When I'm Gone)

The Plaza de San Francisco is the second oldest in Havana, built in 1591. 

The bell tower is one of the highest in the Americas at 125 feet and has survived the tropical weather. It has served as a place of worship, warehouse for military equipment and currently as an important concert hall. 

There is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi and a small boy. 

In front of the Basilica on the sidewalk stands a bronze, life-size statue known as "El Caballero de Paris" (1899-1895), a street person who wandered around Havana and who is buried inside. Commonly referred to as the "Good Luck Statue", one should rub the hands and grab the beard, or step on the foot. 

Also in the plaza is this sculpture "la conversacion" by the French sculptor Etienne. 

This fountain was built in 1836 from white Carrara marble by Guiseppe Gaggini.

 There was an exhibit in the plaza, similar to what I've seen to the Berlin Friendship bears.

Here are some snapshots of a few of those statues.