“Havana vibes”
Havana, Cuba. October 2017 (15 photos)
This is part 11 of my Cuba 2017 photo series.
I started this photographic tour of Cuba in Havana. I took you around this Caribbean island to Trinidad with a few stops along the way. Now let’s return to the subtropical delirium of Havana.
“On the streets of Havana”
Over the next few posts about Havana, a mini-series if you will, I’ll try and portray the heartbeat of the city.
You’ll have to supply your own mojitos.
“You guessed it, they were playing: Despacito”
By the way, if you’re wondering where the inspiration for the title of this post comes from, start the video for some great music that echoes the rhythm of life in Havana.
I’ll show you the beauty of the architecture, …
“Teatro America”
…the history and…
“Plaza de la Revolución”
“Above Havana”
…the decay.
“Fusterlandia”
Let’s visit the unfamiliar Havana…
“El Malecón”
…and the expected Havana.
“More than just rumba and salsa”
I’ll also give you a feel of the moves and grooves of Havana.
“Late night with the Buena Vista Social Club”
I hope you can come along for the ride with me.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy Havana.
It’s lure is hypnotic.
It’s one of those places I’d rather be.
Havana ooh na-na.
…
This is part 11 of my Cuba 2017 photo series.
This is part 14 of my photo series of my 2017 trip to the USA, Mexico, Cuba, and Canada.
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
Thank you for the transfer.
Also, I forwarded your Toronto post to a friend from there and she has never seen that fountain. Plus she said that another friend had sent her the same post yet. You go around. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the recommendation. Isn’t it ironic how tourists often see more of a city than those who live there? To be fair, the fountain was only built recently in 2017.
I love this rhythm. And walking the roads less traveled. They always have much more than we bargained for.
It may be my imagination but everyone in Havana seems to walking to a beat. The air and atmosphere does that to you. Yes, off the beaten track offers so much.
It’s definitely another world.
Mingling with the local people, stepping into their houses, eating where they eat….I’ve always considered all this a must if you really want to get to know a country and you have done that and so much more.
I surprised myself with how comfortable I was interacting with the people here. Making the effort to learn a bit of Spanish paid off. I think people appreciate it when you make that effort.
Definitely.
Besides, they seem so laid-back that it makes the whole effort less an effort, but pure enjoyment instead. That’s why it wasn’t hard.
You’re right. Pure enjoyment.
I just cannot get enough of this fascinating place I’m so pleased you are taking us back for a second and third and +++…I’m playing the video as I scroll backwards and forwards through your photos. it creates a vibe that is irresistible, what a sexy and sensational performance. A photographers dream location. Bring it on LD
Thanks so much. The music does suit the city, just strolling along in the heat and humidity.
Indeed, Havana and Cuba in general are a visual overload for anyone’s camera. You just have to put the camera down and enjoy being there. There’s nowhere else like it.
What I like, and it comes through in your photos, is the friendliness of the people
Thank you. The friendliness can be intoxicating.
😊
Awww we have to bring our own mojitos. Better be worth the ride 😀 In your photos, it looks so…quiet. Certainly Havanna is not a bustling city like New York. Maybe it was siesta time when you were passing through. In that green car shot, I noticed that you didn’t make an appearance in the rearview mirror. Strategic, staying discrete 😀
It’s definitely a different pace of life and I guess my photos were taken deliberately to show that. The bustling areas were generally because of tourists, and that’s not what I wanted to photograph.
In that car shot I was almost standing up – road rules are different there. Or maybe i was just being a tourist. LOL Enjoy that mojito. 🙂
Standing up in a moving car sounds like quite an achievement. I’m sure no one batted an eyelid, and the shot turned out very crisp. You certainly got tricks up your sleeve to get that good shot 🙂
I did it quickly when we were at a slow cruising speed. The driver was obliging to my request to slow down. 🙂 All part of the fun of holidays.
Half of your heart is in Havana, Draco? Havana ooh-na-na.Great photos, as usual.
Thanks, Debbie. It seems like it, doesn’t it?
I think half of my heart might well be in Havana, even though Ive never been there. Always wanted to, long before it became fashionable. Might have to content myself with your photos, Draco!
Happy to show you around, but I hope you do get the chance to go for yourself.
Love that song and these photos especially that first one with the leading lines and those crashing waves of the later one.
Thanks so much. When the waves get too vigorous the police close the road. Until that happens you just have to be careful you don’t get wet.
Amazing… and btw I’m now playing that song on my computer here 🙂
It’s catchy. 🙂
You beautifully articulate the heart of the city.
Thank you very much, Sally. Havana has many layers and great depth to it.
Ah, put the music on and stroll the streets! What an amazing trip. Some of those cars — Wow! And some of that architecture! And the friendliness of the people. You have captured it all and conveyed it wonderfully! 😀
Thanks, Linda. Arriving at havana airport on the first day and seeing my first 50’s classic car, I knew it wasn’t a dream. Havana is a unique place. 🙂
I love that malecon shot with the blue car! Just awesome.
Thanks. I wanted to get a shot like that – it was exactly as I’ve seen it in other photos.
Beautiful, with that wonderful soundtrack! Great light too. How did you get that above Havana photo? Did you climb the FOCSA building?
No, I didn’t get to the FOCSA building. And I’d heard stories about the unreliability of its elevators. 😉
My viewpoint was from somewhere very unique – a friend of a friend of a friend lives on the 8th floor of an apartment building in Havana, on the Malecon. I was lucky enough to get up there to take photos. 🙂
Great images, Draco
Thank you, Sue.
What a place to excite the senses. What a feast.
All that and more. An evening with the Buena Vista Social Club was an unexpected bonus.
Yup, I know the song, I have a teenager 🙂 It was fun to play while I was looking through this post.
I’m glad you enjoyed it with the mood music. 🙂
Everything about Havana seems catchy – I am glad you are taking us again. My husband always tells me how much he loves Cuba – been there three times. I was a hard working woman then – no time to accompany him. I wish….but I think your trips and photos will make it up for me!
Thanks for coming along for the ride. I haven’t met anyone who has been to Cuba and not enjoyed it. He’s been 3 times? I need to catch up. 🙂
I guess you will always return – it is pure photographic poetry.
So much more to see and experience there, but that is true of the whole world. 🙂
So it is.
🙂
A lot more soul than Sydney? And I’ll pass on the Mojitos if you don’t mind, all that muddled mint makes me think of seaweed. I’ll have a Margarita, even if I do have to make my own. [Terrible service around here…] and steady with the driving, I don’t want to spill any. OK, I’m ready to be shown around…
A very different vibe to Sydney: Caribbean “Cool”. Margaritas and Daiquiris are fine – I had them all. 🙂 Just relax and enjoy the views.
Your pictures are so full of life… I love them!
Thank you so much. Havana beckons to be experienced.
Such a fascinating city! This series is awesome, Dragon.
Really enjoy this cool song. Thank you for the link. 🙂
Thanks so much, Amy. But be careful. The song can get stuck in your head. 🙂
You commented about tourists seeing more of the city than residents (or something along those lines). I had friends in Seattle who said they saw more of their city when I visited because they looked for places to show me, often places they didn’t usually go. We all get in that sort of rut, I think.
I’ve enjoyed seeing Cuba through your lens, have enjoyed the colors and vintage cars, and really enjoyed the people. Thanks again for the fun.
janet
It’s true. We often get stuck in our own world and routines. It’s not until you buy a camera or you need to act as tour guide that you notice part of your city you don’t normally visit.
Photographing Cuba was delightful experience. I’m glad the photos do the country and people justice.
Wonderful photos. I would hop into that orange taxi in a heartbeat!
Ω
I had 2 car/taxi tours. The convertible green car in my photo and also a pink one.
It looks like you had a very enjoyable time in your travels through Cuba.
Ω
Absolutely. 🙂
Hee! Hee! It’s that song again! It follows me around. 🙂 🙂 Definitely hypnotic, Draco!
Thanks, Jo. I knew the song would draw you in. 🙂
This post is a visual feast for the eyes!
Thanks. A visual feast – that’s a great description for Cuba.
Great series! I feel I need to visit Cuba now, before it becomes something else, probably not as interesting…
Thank you. That was the reason I went now. I booked when President Obama announced he was loosening the embargo against Cuba. But then President Trump tightened the rules immediately. Still, change is already there. Yes, go in the next few years if you can.
Will do!
🙂
Exceptional photos; these are so good.
Thank you. It was good to get out and about in Havana.
Just brilliant! Colors, culture and, cars! Love it!
Gracias. All that and more.
Fabulous photos. I can hear and even smell Havana in them!
I’m glad it came through in the post. Thanks.
Just fantastic, Lignum, and I look so forward to seeing more!
Thanks, Lisa. Cuba was very inspiring to me.
It’s been a few years now since my wife and I were there.
I wish I’d visited earlier. But I’m glad I didn’t delay my visit any further.