Cuba Day 4: Exploring La Habana by Foot (Part 2)
We decided the plan for the evening would include strawberry daiquiris at Hotel Inglattera, dinner at La Floridita, and then salsa dancing at La Casa de la Musica Centro Habana. Because we had walked all day and planned to dance way into the night, we splurged on a pedi-cab . Here are some photos from our entertaining ride through the streets of downtown La Habana:
Our pedi-cab driver.
Los hombres playing dominoes, the most popular game in Cuba.
First, we met M. at the Inglattera, which was another one of finest hotel's in Cuba. It was located near the pretty Parque Central. The Inglattera proudly holds the honor of being the oldest hotel in Cuba with an incredible history you could spend days learning about. However, the Nacional is still my preferred hotel.
While we sipped our strawberry daiquiris a salsa band played and when the first intoxicating trumpet notes of “El Chan Chan” began it really hit me that I was actually inCuba
M., Kristin, and I in anticipation for the fun night ahead.
Me enjoying the cohiba that I had purchased earlier in the day.
A fabulous photo courtesy of Kristin.
Our 3 strawberry daiquiri's illuminated by the setting sun.
Then we dined at La Floridita, or commonly known as “Hemingway's hang-out.” I love the simplistic way that Ernest writes. He is able to vividly capture one’s imagination with only a few words. Apparently, while he was creating “The Old Man and the Sea,” a novel about a Cuban fisherman who refuses to be defeated by nature, he would eat at the restaurant often. And even though it was a tourist trap, I still wanted to visit the places that he frequented during his time inCuba
Señor Hemingway
Maybe Ernest sat in the same seat I was in?
Ummm, the best drink in the world! Though Ernest's favorite drink
was rumored to be a strawberry daiquiri.
Once satiated, we headed over to dance at La Casa de la Musica Centro Habana. Along the way we encountered a Cuban man whom begged us to bring him in the club with us. According to him it had been his life long dream to dance inside there and the only way a Cuban could enter was with the permission of a tourist. M. told him that he would pay for his entrance fee under one condition: he had to discuss Cuban affairs with us over a couple of drinks. Haha, the poor guy agreed not knowing what he was getting himself into! M. and I can talk about that kind of stuff for hours and hours.
A photo taken on our walk to the club.
La Casa has a fantastic reputation for being the best salsa club in La Habana, as they bring in the top-name bands, but I was not really impressed. It was not the realCuba
The salsa band that played.
Me and my new Cuban friend on the dancefloor.
Thankfully, he was not too embarrassed with my moves. I vowed after that evening to take salsa classes some time during our last days in Cuba
The street scene from inside our taxi.
While we sipped our strawberry daiquiris a salsa band played and when the first intoxicating trumpet notes of “El Chan Chan” began it really hit me that I was actually in
Me enjoying the cohiba that I had purchased earlier in the day.
Then we dined at La Floridita, or commonly known as “Hemingway's hang-out.” I love the simplistic way that Ernest writes. He is able to vividly capture one’s imagination with only a few words. Apparently, while he was creating “The Old Man and the Sea,” a novel about a Cuban fisherman who refuses to be defeated by nature, he would eat at the restaurant often. And even though it was a tourist trap, I still wanted to visit the places that he frequented during his time in
Señor Hemingway
Maybe Ernest sat in the same seat I was in?
was rumored to be a strawberry daiquiri.
Once satiated, we headed over to dance at La Casa de la Musica Centro Habana. Along the way we encountered a Cuban man whom begged us to bring him in the club with us. According to him it had been his life long dream to dance inside there and the only way a Cuban could enter was with the permission of a tourist. M. told him that he would pay for his entrance fee under one condition: he had to discuss Cuban affairs with us over a couple of drinks. Haha, the poor guy agreed not knowing what he was getting himself into! M. and I can talk about that kind of stuff for hours and hours.
La Casa has a fantastic reputation for being the best salsa club in La Habana, as they bring in the top-name bands, but I was not really impressed. It was not the real
The salsa band that played.
The street scene from inside our taxi.
Oh my gosh, that "cab" driver was the funniest! I so vividly remember this night and the cigar photo shoot like it was yesterday. LOVING these recaps!
Reply to this