My trip to the roots where all begun ,Cuba

Well this was a business trip with my company but took advantage to see the family still there and nostalgic moments in my life. It all began here for me many many years ago. My last trip there goes back to 1998 so this was a nice opportunity to go to La Habana, Cuba and others.

I took a long flight it seems endless from home in Brittany, went by car to Nantes airport; which you can change to English, at http://www.nantes.aeroport.fr/ANA/Page/  following the road N165 all the way to exit D201 Nantes Atlantique signs about 1h30 minutes. Then took a regional Air France flight to Amsterdam,Holland, change there to KLM for the flight to La Habana about 10 hours !!! lol!!! http://www.schiphol.com/  and finally arrive in Havana, http://www.cubajet.com/airports/jose_marti_international_airport.asp

I stayed at a Casa Particular of by now my friend Rogelio in Playa, absolutely the best coffee in Cuba!!! The men can do it any time as many times as you want. Stories about Cuba abound from all periods;great company while in the house at calle 76 E 15 y 17 playa, Miramar La Habana near the business center of Miramar and the hotels. If you need accommodation I can pass on the telephone to contact the son Pedro Luis who is a terrific guy and my driver while in La Habana.

We went to eat at EL Palenque, the resto of the Convention palace nearby, great Cuban food, why bother with all those international places if in Cuba eat like a Cuban. Calle 17 y 190, Playa.. Ciudad de La Habana tel  (53 7) 203-8222 . We had not much time so I took a ride on the Malecon, went over to the old church of San Francisco de Asisi, the Morro ,Fuerza ,and Cabanas castles, we had business lunch at Restaurant 1830 at Calle Calzada esq. a 20, Vedado. Ciudad de La Habana tel(53 7) 55-3090-92 . There was a special treat at a casa paladar on a fifth floor of a house but could not remember the name as it was at night and friends rode me there, we had lobsters supreme with a view of the city.

From i went to my native town of Punta Brava, just in the borders of the city of La Habana, visiting family aunt and cousins, I ate at a typical Cuban casa paladar in pesos nacionales, a dish of roast pork,moros black beans,yucca,tostones in garlic sauce, salad of tomatos and lettuce, plus coffee and four beers for two persons at 10 CUC or about 260 Cuban Pesos Nacionales. Just in Calzada before turning left to Guatao, the old Carretera Nacional.

I went further inland to visit another aunt and cousins at Cayo La Rosa, off Bauta, this was a huge textile plant of 5000 workers done by Americans now in ruins. The village have not change much, and took a ride with my cousin in an electric moto on the town ,crazy but a great and cheap means of transportation there now.  And proud of myself was able to take my local driver there as he did not know how,and I did with 14 years span of memory lol!

of course in each visit i ate with the family and reminicents of the old days, telling me what a nice guy I was …………………..::)

Finally, it was time to come back again, and took my flight from La Habana Jose Marti International airport, very easily, this time in route to Paris CDG, http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/Home/ on Air France. The plane was full and cheapy company me had economyclass but was bump up to Business Class ,and it shows the difference, very nice flight of 9 hours to Paris CDG. There change again on AF to Nantes, and took my car from the airport parking for the trip home after paying 54 euros of parking fees. Cheaper than renting a car lol!

I hope it wont the last trip like this, and will say that even if the system is the same, the faces of the buildings have improved from last trip, and I look forward to the future when all can have a pleasant place to visit with family and no life’s inconveniences. Some photos.

Havana, La Habana, a beautiful postcard of vintage beauty

Well sometimes surprises in life do happenned, and lucky me from work  I needed to go to Havana, Cuba. A whimsical place of many years and family memories, I was born there but left too young as a boy, came back once to see my grandparents who raised me, and now back again. What a change, what a shock full of wonderful memories and honest, too good people, humble ,nice, friendly, like been back into the family again.

This is Havana or La Habana or the complete real name San Cristobal de la Habana; St Christopher the saint in honor of Christopher Columbus and the indian taino word Habana meaning a savannah between two rivers the Cojimar (of Ernest Hemingway fame) and Almendares,(the best baseball team on the island,and my family’s team).

Upon arrival I had my cousin, husband there to greet me, but as in official company trip ,had a very nice friendly Cuban name Pedro Luis, who took me to the Casa Particular of his father Rogelio in the district of Playa, old Miramar, near the hotels Melia Habana,Commodore,Panoramico, and the Miramar Business Center. The house was built in 1923, and wonderfully renovated, huge bedroom,and bathroom with AC and TV, telephone on the hallways,central to all. The service was very friendly, the owner Rogelio chatted with me every morning for the ritual Cuban coffee expresso, strong and black and sweet!!! You and I were set for the day lol! His son Pedro Luis always in contact with me will come to pick me up for the business and took me around Havana for eateries and sightseeing a bit. Every night upon my return, the security person already knew me by name and hand me the key to the room!

I went to the wonderful Malecon, Plaza Vieja, church of St Franciso de Asisi, saw the statue to the Caballero de Paris, gentleman of Paris a beggar who knew like Enstein and told wonderful stories to passerbyers from the 1950′s. We went by the bourse of commerce or longia; and of course, we sip a daiquiri at Floridita Bar,(in 1957 Esquire magazine name it the best bar in the world!). We went inside the hotel Nacional, and walks it historical alleys and patio with its Aguiar canons, magical.

I saw my Morro castle, and the excavations of the Zanja Real or royal sewers now open and shown above ground to tourists.  Coming by grand Miramar on my way to visit my old native place, I saw the clock tower on 5th avenue of Miramar, the Palacio de Convenciones, and the wonderful old houses now occupy by foreign embassies.

Foremost, wandering the streets of Havana, and Playa(Miramar),and Punta Brava took many memories of me, exciting and sad ,curious and forgetful; did not wanted to pass by the house I was born, too many strong memories,and better enjoy the sights tourists see. I am now a tourist in La Habana.

We had lunch at El Bosque inside the hotel Melia Habana, Avenida  3rd. between  76 and 80 streets, Miramar , the Spanish chain of hotels have done a wonderful job here, by far the best in Havana. We ,also,, had our meetings there in the 9th floor breakfast business center with wonderful views of Havana.  I had lunch with the family at a parador private folks have at Parrillada 84  y 15, Playa, all done by charcoal, with my Aunt and cousins. The highlight was at El Palenque, near pabexpo Cuba, wonderful typical Cuban place and food, very nice lechon or pork with yucca,moro (blackened rice), and the local Cristal beer, address at Calle 17 & Calle 190 , Playa, La Habana  . In Havana we ate at Factoria Plaza Vieja, at Plaza Vieja, terrace outfit with shrimps and lobsters,pork,and chicken grilled platters. All very cheap compare to Europe.

For a nostalgic trip we passed by El Potin resto, my Mom used to take me here as a little boy, just a sandwich and light platters place and ice cream,juice and soda drinks, still there!!! and it looks nice after 43 years!!!! at Línea corner of Paseo, Vedado section of La Habana.

Coming and going thru Madrid, I try for the first time the newer terminal T4 and T4S; very modern, spacious, lots of eateries, and shops, with a automated train between the two,and easy walking to the metro station of line 8 that ends there. 2,50 euros one way to Madrid. I had my lunch at Vinea, a nice tapas and wine place.

My return was to Nantes, almost by 11pm and took my car to arrive home here by 12h30 am. Very tired but happy to be able to see my native country again, even if now look more like a tourist than a native; the reception by all was very nice. I shall be back. Cheers enjoy the pictures.

calle 50 now or Godines of old, my street in Punta Brava going to Santa Fe beach

pause at Vinea tapas and wines at T4 Barajas,Madrid airport.

the automated train terminals T4 and T4S at Barajas airport Madrid

panel history of Zanja Real or royal sewers of Havana

front porch of casa particular Rogelio at Playa

Casa Particular Rogelio, bedroom

Casa Particular Rogelio ,bathroom

my mother’s favorite El Potin resto at Linea

walking entering Plaza Vieja

Factoria Plaza Vieja resto at Plaza VIeja

the gorgeous church of St Francis de Assisi

with family at Parrillada 84 Paladar in Playa

dining room resto El Palenque

at 5th avenue Miramar clocktower from the 50′s

The bourse or longia of commerce, stock market of older days

emblematic shields of the original walls of the Hotel Nacional

from Malecon the gorgeous still Hotel Nacional

by El Bosque resto at Hotel Melia Habana

from patio rear of Hotel Nacional

driving Malecon with the Morro Castle on sight

El Caballero de Paris or gentlemen of Paris near longia

Habana Vieja beautiful calle Oficio and Teniente Rey

passing Malecon, ahead the silouette of the Capitol building

Malecon ride the Riviera and Melia Cohiba hotels coming up

My last post of 2011,thanks for the memories…………………..

I am sitting at home after a long day at work and thinking about the end of 2011. ON a sad day for me as Four years ago my Mom passed away at our home, and the ashes layed at Honfleur in the ocean she loves so much. I do not know if will be able to write another post in 2011, but wanted to say a few words.

For many years, I have and do participate in several travel forums around the globe in English, French, and Spanish. The experiences have been sublime, the sharing of ideas have been superb. What is the difference between a visitor and a resident? Well, not much ,but we all love to see new things to search for new things and to share new things.

In my opinion, the best advice comes from the person who has visit and then live in a place or vice versa. There have been many times that a visitor will said something about a place where I live that if not for the mention I would never pass by it lol! and they have been interesting places. You learn every day. Sharing is important.

I had friends who told me to write a book on travel to France, well that was too much flattering, and time consuming. Then ,there were others who suggested why not a blog….a blog??? what was that lol!!! I asked several friends who were into it,and one from Spain who I have great respect for what he is doing (see my links below front page), told me to come to wordpress because it was easy to set up and use. Well as the saying goes the rest is was history.

Paris 1972 was born in november 2010,and it has been a thrill of a lifetime. Why the title ,well because after watching The Last Tango in Paris with Maria Schneider and Marlon Brandon I wanted to visit Paris,and I did for the first time. Its a love story that continues to this day without sight of ending it…. because Paris is a movable feast. And then, there was France oh well he did not have time to see it all, I have ,for the most part and can say France is a movable feast. Then it was the places I have lived in my life Cuba, Spain, and the United States, all have a bit part in this blog ,and of course football/soccer and my love for the Real Madrid (played alevin/benjamin in the 70′s there) ,and still member of the club.

Everything I write in these posts is personal experiences, not from books written by others, or saying in other forums although is great to share information, I only write about places I have been personally. So its my personal touch, and my personal spot on the internet paris1972.wordpress.com

I look forward to write more about the country or countries I love in 2012. I am still selling my house in Versailles so the entire family can move with me in near Vannes/Auray area of the morbihan, in Brittany.  So far I have half the family with me and the other in Versailles::::I guess real estate sales in these times is not that good.

I look forward to reading your comments, and I am very happy to see the following my blog had, and the ideas, sharing of travel,sharing of our world, and especially sharing of France. Thank you all, and each of you. Have a wonderful 2012, may your wishes comes thru, and may you have a wonderful time travelling and reading my blog ::) Cheers

Notre Dame life saver boat in Etel , one like this one took my Mom out to sea

Capitol, Havana, a symbol of a Nation

ceilings of the Salon de los Pasos Perdidos, Capitolio

La Republica or Giraldilla symbol of the Republic of Cuba

Salon de los Pasos Perdidos inside Capitolio

closeup of the Capitolio de La Habana

Diamond where all road distances are measure in Cuba

another angle late pm Capitolio de La Habana

plaza leading to the Capitolio of La Habana

Lets bring along a emblematic building that represent a linkage of the past and present, a symbol of what and where you are in Cuba and especially Havana.  In my youth I spent many afternoon going by and on tours to see the meaning that it was to the Cubans. Inside is a plethora of historical facts to better understand the country.

I am talking about the Capitol building in old Havana. El Capitolio as it is known in Spanish, built in 1929  to house the two chambers of the Cuban congress. Its was inspired by the Roman capitol and that which is in Washington DC USA. The building has a front neo classic style with a dome of 91,73 meters tall ( 302.7 ft).  It is located between the streets or  calle Pardo, Dragones, Industria, and San Jose. Inside it marks the kilomerter zero of all distances in Cuba with a diamond on the floor. AFter the Cuban revolution it house the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and the Academy of Sciences of Cuba.

It is in the space where the old city of Havana walls were crossing built in colonial period by the Spanish.  The walls here were destroyed in 1863. Here there was a statue to queen Isabel II, and it was the start of the now Parque Central de La Habana or Central Park.  Part of the public work efforts by then President Gerardo Machado (later dictator too), the team of architect Raul Otero and the participation of the French team led by urban planner Jean-Claude-Nicolas Forestier, and Architect Eugenio Raynieri Piedra as director of developement,and arquitec Jose M Bens Arrate. The actual construction was given to the American firm of  Pudri & Henderson Company. However, it was the French Forestier who put together the urban plan of the Capitol and surrounding areas as in Paris.

The details of the work made the building  207,44 meters long in its facade  which included a large stair monumental of almost 36 meters wide( 118.8 ft) , 28 meters long (92.4 ft) , and 55 steps with three rest squares . At the two sides of the end of the stair you have two sculptures made in bronze by the Italian Angelo Zanelli, call ” La Virtud Tutelar del Pueblo ” (the virtue of the people) , and “ El Trabajo” (the work) ,both of 6,50 meters high (21.4 ft) .

To continue the description of this wonderful building, we come to the main central door with a lenght of 36 meters (118.8 ft)  and 16 meters high 52.8 ft)  all held by 12 ionic columns of granite.  It is here that the main doors of access to the building are place with 7,70 meters high (25.4 ft) and 2,35  meters wide (7.8 ft) as well as the sculpture in relief of marbre ,also done by the Italian Angelo Zanelli.  The dome with a high of 92 meters (303.6 ft)  was at the moment the fifth highest in the world with a diameter of 32 meters (105.6 ft).  It has 16 panels of which the most impressive are those covered with gold leaves of 22karats .  The dome has a lantern with 10 ionic columns of which interior were 5 light reflectors until 1959 when taken down by the revolutionary government.  In this space you see the symbolism architectural of the sculpture of the “ La República” or the lady marianne under the dome done also by Zanelli in bronze of  15 meters high  (49.5 ft) and 30 tons in weight that at the moment was the second biggest in the world under a roof.

You come to the great room call the ”Salón de los Pasos Perdidos” ( the hall of the lost steps) , the most monumental of the spaces with almost  50 meters long (165 ft) and 14,5 meters wide( 47.9 ft)  and almost 20 meters high66 ft)  that serve the interconnection to the two bodies of government the  Cámara de Representantes (located to the north) and the  Senado (located to the south). These two blocks are organised in a rectangular fashion around two gardens with dimentions of  45 by 15 meters each (148.5 x 49.5 ft). 

58 types of marbre, wood of the most exquisite in the country, decoration and ambiance done by the English firm of  Waring & Gilow Ltd. of  London.   The wrough iron in bronze by  The Yale & Towne Mfg. Co. of Stanford, CT USA, Societe Anonime Bague  and  Saunier Frisquet of Paris,France for the lamps, and the house of Fratelli Remuzzi from Italy and  Grasyma of Germany for the work in marbre, onyx, etc .  The diamond that mark the distances in Cuba is of brilliance of 25 karats the last owner was the tzar of Russia Nicolas II, and arrive in Cuba by Turkish jewerler that purchase it in Paris. Now you see a replica, the original is the the vaults of the Bank of Cuba.  Looking at the volume of its construction it is estimated that the Capitolio of La Habana is the third in importance for its monolithic construction in the world ,a nd the only one with its characteristics built in the 20C. Most of the detail information here came from wikipedia.

It is inmense ,the pride of Havana, and one of the most visited buildings in the city as of today. It was always like that, a must to see while in Havana. Just now looking at the pictures I am in awe of  its beauty and I have seem some beauties now living in France. Some photos of old.

Cathedral of Havana or La Habana

Cathedral of Havana and Plaza de la Cathedral

front of nave with cupola inside Cathedral of Havana

interior nave and cupola of Cathedral of Havana

This is a mythical building in the old section of Havana or La Habana. The Cathedral is link directly with the history of the city and Cuba. I have spent my days there, and my family took me there in several occasions,now its time to talk a bit about it.

The Catedral de la Virgen María de la Concepción Inmaculada de La Habana  is in the old casco historico or historic center of the city name to UNESCO world heritage sites as a whole. First it was a prayer by old huts and bird dropping use as a house of prayer since 1528AD ,then,  it was a prayer site for the disciples of  Saint Ignacio of the order of the Jesuistes in 1727, then construction began by 1748 and by 1767 the collegiale was built but the church not yet completed.  By 1767 the Jesuistes were expelled from the Americas Spanish . According to Cuban history, the nave was occupied since independance of the island in 1898 by a funeral monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon) as his ashes were kept there for about 100 years, later they were transfered to Santo Domingo ,and eventually to Sevilla.  It was declared a Cathedral on June 22,  1790. The Cathedral was not finished until 1832.

The Cathedral  has two belltowers and its center floor form a temple of  34x36meters ( 112×119 ft) in a rectangular shape, with three naves and 8 chapels divided by huge columns. The floor is of  black and white marbre. The sculptures and detail work in the chapels was done by the Italian Bianchini in Rome in 1820. The paintings is done by the Italian Giusseppi Perovani and the French  Jean-Baptiste Vermay.  There is  a  fine sculpture of Saint Christopher, patron saint of Havana, dates from 1632 and was made by Martín Andújar in Sevilla.

The square in front of the Cathedral that has the name Plaza de la Catedral is surrounded by noble houses such as the  Palacio del Marqués de Arcos, Casa de los condes de Casa Bayona, or count of Bayona since 1720, and now houses the Museum of colonial arts or  Museo de Arte Colonial, the mansion of the marquis or Marqués de Aguas Claras ,and Palacio del Conde Lombillo or palace of conde de Lombillo.

The Pope John Paul II visited the Cathedral in 1998 to try to bring peace and respect of human life to the island rule by a dictatorship for 52 years already.

Webpage of the archiodiocese of Havana in Spanish with all related info http://www.arquidiocesisdelahabana.org/ , and the webpage of the Church of Cuba in Spanish too, http://www.iglesiacubana.org/

Happy Easter!

Habana Hilton or Libre, and Yara or RadioCentro

Hotel Habana Libre before Hilton

Yara cinema or before RadioCentro

It must be hotel day, but this is another of my favorites and a historical fixture in Havana. It is at the chic area across from excellent places, I am talking about the Habana Libre Hotel (previously the Hilton) and across the street you have Yara (previously Radio Centro) and Coppelia ,the ice cream heavens.

Let me tell you a bit about the Habana Hilton,  it was own by the Cuban Catering Workers’ Union, and was operated by the American Hilton Hotels Group . It was designed by the Los Angeles firm Welton Becket & Associates  (also designers of the Beverly Hilton, and Capitol Records in Hollywood, California USA.

Opened on March 22, 1958, with Conrad Hilton in attendance, the Habana Hilton was Latin America’s tallest and largest hotel. It boasted  Trader Vic’s , as well as a casino, supper club, pool and rooftop bar.  Following Fidel Castro revolution in Jan of 1959 the hotel became his headquarters for about 3 months on suite 2324 .  THe Hotel was run until October 1960, when all American hotels in Cuba were nationalized and the casinos permanently closed. The hotel was then renamed the Hotel Habana Libre (Hotel Free Havana).

In 1996 the Spanish Sol Meliá Hotel Group assumed management of the hotel in association with the Cuban government. It was placed in their Tryp division of urban hotels and renamed Hotel Tryp Habana Libre.

I partook in many meals with my family here, and purchase tourist post cards for the first time as a boy, a hobby that continuos to this day.  Lots of memory and a grand hotel to match any in the Americas.

The official webpage is on the Sol Melia site at http://www.solmelia.com/hotels/cuba/havana/tryp-habana-libre/home.htm

The Yara  building its an institution in Cuba. It was previously called the RadioCentro music hall. In front it was the old radiostation CMQ of  La Habana.  A bit of history, CMQ to compete with the other radio station in Cuba, decided to expand into a new building. The idea was extended and the building also housed a cinema, space for meetings and activities of the RV and Radio business, and a large shopping center. On March 3, 1946 the first stone was laid of what was to be Radiocentro a twin of the famous “Radio City” of Nueva York.  It was finished and open on December 23, 1947.

It was the best  in Latin America for technological advances in music recording from the American firm of RCA Víctor, which allow for the first time instant recording and multiple recordings from any point in the building as well as the building with the biggest area of air conditioned in Havana up to that time. It had a capacity for four radio stations such as CMQ Radio, CMBF Radio, Radio Reloj, and one open in reserve.

It was my hangout in Havana as a boy, and many movies seen there over the years, memories that will linger forever. It has no webpage but the address is Calle L 363, Vedado

Across the street was the famous Coppelia ice cream parlor. My memories with my Mom having a Pico Turquino, Ensalada, or Banana Split or Piña(pineapple) Split is nice .Now its still there but long lines and it helps if you pay in CUC the new apartheid convertible money that local Cubans dont have unless send by a relative from abroad or a friend. The memories of a great area that one day might be back to see again. no web.

You are best to contact your country of passport for information on how to travel there,and in some countries such as Canada or France there is a Cuba tourist office. The one for France is at http://www.cubatourisme.fr/

Hotel Nacional at Havana

main entrance Hotel Nacional

patio at Hotel Nacional

It is magical ,still there gleaming at you, hearing the waves bang against the rocky hill below, and the Strait of Florida in front of it. It has been thru all the episodes in Cuban history since its construction in 1927. Knowing it is to know Havana (San Cristobal de la Habana) a bit more, and Cuba too. I will talk a bit about this wonderful building call the Hotel Nacional.

The Hotel Nacional officially open from 1930, it was designed by an American architectual firm of McKim, Mead & White (they also build the National Museum of American History in Washington DC as others). A bit of history  says that in the 19th century, the hill on which the hotel stands held the famous battery of Santa Clara. The “Ordoñez” cannon, one of the largest of its time, still lies in the hotel’s gardens. On the headland of Punta Brava, Corregidor Don Luis Aguilar chastised the British during the seige and assault of Havana. The hotel’s most famous and luxurious restaurant is named after him.

Some of the memorable people who have stayed here over the years are such as Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Keaton, Jorge Negrete,Agustin Lara, Rocky Marciano, Tyrone Power, Romulo Gallegos, Errol Flynn, John Wayne , Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, and Ernest Hemingway, as well as Winston Churchill, Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Alexander Flemming, and  innumerable Ibero-American Heads of State and European monarchs.

It was the site of a bloody battle in September 4, 1933 pitting the Cuban Army officers who participated in the coup d’état to overthrow President/dictator Gerardo Machado and the non commissioned officers and rank who supported the new strong man Fulgencio Batista. The US ambassador Sumner Welles lived here while the transition in the Cuban government took place.  In December 1946, it was the meeting of a mafia figures such as Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Santo Trafficante, jr, Frank Costello, Albert Anastacia, Vito Genovese and many others that was later characterized by Francis Ford Coppola in the movie, ” The Godfather ,part II”.

By 1955 the hotel was in full swing, and under new management, created  a new wing consisting of Clark’s famous Casino Internacional, the adjoining Starlight Terrace Bar and the Casino Parisién night club in january of 1956 with the first presenter been Eartha Kitt. The casino was closed by new President/dictator Fidel Castro in October 1960, as well as the hotel nationalised. It is now under management by the government supported Gran Caribe group.

For me it meant many afternoon visiting the patio with grandparents or parents, and sipping a delicious cold Coca Cola with lemon and plenty of ice. When visited the island there was no doubt to come here again, just to be quiet and listen to the winds and the waves cracking below in the ocean. Memories that still linger with me since childhood. You will be embracing Cuban history and perhaps a quiet moment listening to those same waves. Cheers

The official webpage is here http://www.hotelnacionaldecuba.com/en/home.asp

San Cristobal de la Habana, Havana,Cuba

It was the ultimate Caribbean destination, the “Paris of the Americas” (hemingway ), the “key to the gulf (of mexico) the bulkward of the Caribbean” (King Philip II of Spain), to the whole of Cuba. It brings back memories of childhood, and still vibrates the world from no matter what place on the fence you might be. It is a beautiful city, if only can be kept in one piece.

You first arrive most likely by the Jose Marti International Airport in Rancho Boyeros, just outside the city of Havana,and on the province (State/department) of Havana. The real name from its founding in 1519 AD was San Cristobal de la Habana (St Christopher of the Havana), the saint is the name for the genovese navigator Cristobal Colon (Christopher Colombus), Habana is an old indian word meaning a savanah between two rivers the Almendares and the Cojimar. The old center is all of a UNESCO heritage site.

If you go by El Templete you will see an old Oak tree where the first religious Mass was held on the island on 1519 AD. There lies a bust to Christopher Colombus and 3 paintings by French painter Jean-Baptiste Vermay.  It gain notoriety when the Spanish crown decided that the city will hold all shipment coming from the rest of the Americas to be sent in convoy to Spain this in 1561 AD. Finally in 1592 king Philip II declares it a city!

It fell to British rule in 1762 after a succesful attack by British ships and naval man, it was then exchange for Florida in 1763, and Havana came back to be Spanish for good. In 1774 the first census of the city is done with 170 000 inhabitants, and on 1796 the remains of Christopher Colombus arrives to be put in the Cathedral, later to be transfered to Spain as my leyend goes. In 1837 the first railroad is born from Havana to the town of Gûines, a first in the Spanish speaking world.  In 1863 the old city walls were destroyed so the city can enlarge into the suburbs being the first one, the Vedado. It became a free Republic on May 20 ,1902 under Republica de Cuba. After some not so good dictators, it fell into the worse in 1959 where still is under a communist dictatorship.

The longest river is Almendares for 50 kms (31 mi), and the name for an old baseball team, my familys favorite. The highest point is at tetas de Managua at 210 meters (693 ft). The bay of Havana is one of the biggest and best in the world but ,also,highly contaminated. The average temperature is 25°C or about 77°F. But near the airport it has been recorded as low as 4°C about 36°F in 2010. Today it has about 2,5 million inhabitants or about 20% of the island population.

Some of the places of interest to see are the followings : Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña or simply La Cabaña in the west side of the harbor; Capitolio Nacional, built in 1929 replica of the one in Washington DC USA; Castillo del Morro, El Templete, Cemeterio Colon or Colombus Cementary ,the largest in the Americas; Plaza de la Revolucion ,old Plaza Jose Marti; University of Havana, founded in 1728 and one of the oldest in the Americas; Catedral de la Habana or Cathedral, Convento de San Francisco, Convento de Santa Clara, Palacio de Aldama, Estacion Central de Ferrocarril Or the railroad station, Castillo de Atares, Castillo del Principe, El Torron de Cojimar, Acuario or national aquarium of Havana at avenida 3ra; Museo de la Revolucion in the old Presidential palace ; Fabrica Partagàs, cigars of Cuba; go outside towards Cojimar at Vigia to the house /Museum of Ernest Hemingway, his old property; Walk on bulevard Prado, Manzana de Gomez, a whole city block building of stores, Cinema Yara the old radio city hall, Castillo de la Real Fuerza; Castillo San Salvador de la Punta; Palacio del Segundo Cabo, the home of the 2nd in line governor of old Cuba under Spanish rule; Gran Teatro; Teatro Amadeo Roldan; old Captain’s General building where the only throne room in the Americas is located, the site of the governor of Cuba in colonial times and today a museum, Chinatown, as the Chinese quarters.

The way for transport is complicated, and very saturated but its the travelers choice to mingle with the locals and feel ,see the way of life as it is. There are metrobuses lines such as this one with 17 lines, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Plano_rutas.jpg

For the real travelers to join the locals in inter city travel use the Astro buses from the plaza de la revolucion, where if pay in foreign currency you can get a preferential seat. You can also take the more tourist oriented via Azul line such as http://www.viazul.cu/asp/reserva/Default.aspx

Taxis are regulated  under Cubataxi, but if you want to go places, hire a local “colectivo” in private time to take you around. For hotels or eating places with the locals try the “Casas Particulares” private folks with official approval.

The places to eat best are again at the Casas Particulares that also offered restaurant service;then you have the old reliable like La Bodeguita del Medio, and Floridita Bar (the best bar in the world in 1957 by Esquire magazine); El Aljibe in Miramar, La Ferminia also in Miramar section,El Conejito in Vedado ,the old family hangout of rabbit dishes; Los Doce Aposteles in the Morro castle; La Divina Pastora overlooking the harbor, La Zaragozana ; El Potin, near prado and Linea, and Coppelia for ice creams are some of my family favorites.

Its a very friendly city that will have no problem finding help and very safe. Driving is not recommended for visitors unaware of the laws and bad road signs but if willing to the best is Havanautos company at the airport, the gas station pay in foreign currency are run under Cupet.

Some links for Havana and Cuba in general are  http://www.havanautos.com/HomeCars2.aspx    for car rental info

Cuban airlines Cubana de Aviacion is http://www.cubana.cu/home/ ; there are others such as AeroCaribbean and Gaviota here http://www.cubajet.com/flights_cuba.asp

places to book and info on Cuba are http://www.cubahotelbookings.com/default.asp?lID=1 , and the old reliable junky at http://www.cuba-junky.com/ , and netssa at http://www.netssa.com/

The Cuban tourist organisation is at http://www.cubatravel.cu/otros/index.php in Spanish. The official page in Canada n English and French, http://www.gocuba.ca/client/home/index.php?locale=en ; and the tourist board of Cuba in France ; http://www.cubatourisme.fr/

some pictorials of photos on Havana.

cannons and harbor from Castillo de la Cabaña

Fortaleza de San Salvador de la Punta 1589

cannons at the Castillo de la Real Fuerza

Castillo del Morro 1597

palace of the Second Corporal res of aide to governor of Cuba

Castillo de la Real Fuerza 1519, oldest in Havana

Castillo del Principe or prince castle

interior dome Cathedral of San Cristobal de la Habana

another view interior of Cathedral of San Cristobal de la Habana

Church of St Francis of Assisi, 1607

inside church st Francis of Assisi

University of Habana 1728

diamond from where all distances in Cuba are measure Capitol

Capitol or Capitolio Nacional 1929

gallery of lost steps or pas perdu in Capitol

inside Capitol, la Giraldilla, symbol of Cuba, 3rd largest indoor statue in world

garden of Captain General house now city museum

Gran Teatro or theater and the old walls of city of Havana

inside living room of Captain General house, city museum

inside Gran Teatro or theater of Havana

inside Capitol, ceilings lost step gallery or pas perdu

outside Capitol or Capitolio Nacional 1929

museum of revolution old Presidential Palace and statue to gen Maceo

from museum of revolution and old Presidential Palace

inside old Presidential Palace today museum of revolution

reading room inside Captain General house, old governor of Cuba

Theater Amadeo Roldan

old Radio city music today Cineam Yara

Boulevard Prado at central park

building Manzana de Gomez, shopping center now

Paseo del Prado and lions leading to harbor

walking towards Capitolio Nacional ,capitol bldg

Plaza of the Cathedral, and front of Cathedral

remains of city walls done in 1640 for 4832 meters/ 15946 ft

Torreon de Cojimar 1646 where Hemingway went out

El Templete, near calle Obispo, first mass in Cuba

Cemeterio Colon main entrance, largest in the Americas

Havana nights and more of La Habana

It was once the Paris of the Americas, the Pearl of the Antilles, the most chic city of Latin America until the revolution destroyed everything;streets names were changed, city names were change, people left in hordes, and more poverty than ever sets in all under the glorious revolution still there.

However, it was not always like today.  King Philip II of Spain granted title of city in 1592 and a royal decree in 1634 recognized its importance by officially designating it the “Key to the New World and Rampart of the West Indies”. It came under British rule in 1762-63 before the Treaty of Paris gave it back to Spain.

It quickly grew into the city with Latin American biggest middle class, and Hemingway quoted “In terms of beauty only Venice and Paris surpassed Havana”. Gas public lighting came in 1848 and railroad in 1837. Most of the building were inspired by French architect and style such as the Aldama castle build in 1844. See the University of Havana, Capitol (1929 replica of the one in Washington DC USA). Neoclassical like the Convent of Santa Clara, Art deco like the Bacardi building,modern like the Habana Hilton Hotel (today Habana LIbre),and wonderful castles like La Fuerza, Morro, Cabañas,Atares,Principe,La Punta. The grand theater also known as Garcia Lorca theater,and the biggest in Latin America, cementary Colon (colombus cementary).

Its a city to fall in love for no matter what period of time in history you may choose to visit. The photo is Giraldilla, the woman symbol of the Republic and the third tallest indoor figure in the world.

LA Habana Giraldilla

the Capitol building in Havana b.1929

the diamond stone from where all distances are measure

closer shot of Capitol in Havana

the lost steps hall inside Capitol , pas perdu

the lost steps hall ceiling inside Capitol