Uncle Fidel...

slang · 02-24-2006, 10:40 PM

Very cool images CF.

LOVE the blue of that water. Thanks for the rear shots of your wife too.

Cyclefrance · 02-25-2006, 04:50 AM

That's better - a good nine hours shut-eye. Batteries recharged - so on to more about Havana. Oh, I meant to mention - we chose this day to go because rain was forecast, and the weather performed as expected. Hence the clouds and damp everywhere. This time of year the weather can be changeable. We had 4 good days (75 t0 80 deg F) and 3 mixed ones, but the resort goes out of its way to offer alternative activities if and when the beach becomes a questionable choice - like a couple of fashion shows with very up-to-the minute designs in crocheted dresses, tops and skirts (Sheila/Phtharnag's grandmother would have been proud!) and, yes, my wife did manage to buy up half the stock (well, it certainly seemed that way!)

Back to Havana. At street level in old town, it's quite a mix. Clearly the government is working to clean up this part of town. Many buildings have had a face-lift with repairs to crumbling facades, fresh coats of paint and the introduction of brighter colours as well.

A few photos to follow with limited commentary. The first two below show examples of the mix I have mentioned above - notice the difference between the restored old house in the second picture (an example of early Cuban architecture from the 18th century) and the state of the side wall of the adjoining building:

Cyclefrance · 02-25-2006, 04:53 AM

Next a couple of pictures of a mural wall that contains portraits of leading figures from pre-revolution Cuba. Not sure how old this 'picture' is (not very, I suspect), but it is a mirror image of the old (looking to be in the process of being restored) building opposite:

Cyclefrance · 02-25-2006, 04:58 AM

... and here is that building opposite - the lady in the foreground wearing what happens to be a 1980's design Marks and Spencer cotton jumper with shawl design pattern to the top (so those clothes do get through to the people of Cuba) was our guide:

Cyclefrance · 02-25-2006, 05:23 AM

A couple more photos of the colourful side of old Havana - the 'park' (there are quite a few of these little green areas a dotted around the city) with a 'faceless' mural in the background, and pictures for sale (yes, I know, all very touristy!) in an area that resembles, oh so slightly, the Covent Garden area of London:

Cyclefrance · 02-25-2006, 05:31 AM

A picture of the main square, 'Plaza del Catedral', in that 'Covent Garden' area (sorry, the wife got in the way again!) and of the young girl who is celebrating her teenage 15 years in customary traditional dress:

Cyclefrance · 02-25-2006, 05:34 AM

Clearly a tourist area, but just off the square in a side street come alley, we stumbled upon this spiral staircase leading up to an apartment - look closely - the stair rail is actually made from old oil drums!:

02-24-2006, 10:40 PM	#1
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	Very cool images CF. LOVE the blue of that water. Thanks for the rear shots of your wife too. Last edited by slang; 02-24-2006 at 10:43 PM.

02-25-2006, 04:50 AM	#2
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	That's better - a good nine hours shut-eye. Batteries recharged - so on to more about Havana. Oh, I meant to mention - we chose this day to go because rain was forecast, and the weather performed as expected. Hence the clouds and damp everywhere. This time of year the weather can be changeable. We had 4 good days (75 t0 80 deg F) and 3 mixed ones, but the resort goes out of its way to offer alternative activities if and when the beach becomes a questionable choice - like a couple of fashion shows with very up-to-the minute designs in crocheted dresses, tops and skirts (Sheila/Phtharnag's grandmother would have been proud!) and, yes, my wife did manage to buy up half the stock (well, it certainly seemed that way!) Back to Havana. At street level in old town, it's quite a mix. Clearly the government is working to clean up this part of town. Many buildings have had a face-lift with repairs to crumbling facades, fresh coats of paint and the introduction of brighter colours as well. A few photos to follow with limited commentary. The first two below show examples of the mix I have mentioned above - notice the difference between the restored old house in the second picture (an example of early Cuban architecture from the 18th century) and the state of the side wall of the adjoining building: Attached Images __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

02-25-2006, 04:53 AM	#3
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Next a couple of pictures of a mural wall that contains portraits of leading figures from pre-revolution Cuba. Not sure how old this 'picture' is (not very, I suspect), but it is a mirror image of the old (looking to be in the process of being restored) building opposite: Attached Images __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears Last edited by Cyclefrance; 02-25-2006 at 04:59 AM.

02-25-2006, 04:58 AM	#4
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	... and here is that building opposite - the lady in the foreground wearing what happens to be a 1980's design Marks and Spencer cotton jumper with shawl design pattern to the top (so those clothes do get through to the people of Cuba) was our guide: Attached Images __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

02-25-2006, 05:23 AM	#5
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	A couple more photos of the colourful side of old Havana - the 'park' (there are quite a few of these little green areas a dotted around the city) with a 'faceless' mural in the background, and pictures for sale (yes, I know, all very touristy!) in an area that resembles, oh so slightly, the Covent Garden area of London: Attached Images __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

02-25-2006, 05:31 AM	#6
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	A picture of the main square, 'Plaza del Catedral', in that 'Covent Garden' area (sorry, the wife got in the way again!) and of the young girl who is celebrating her teenage 15 years in customary traditional dress: Attached Images __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

02-25-2006, 05:34 AM	#7
Cyclefrance Pump my ride! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deep countryside of Surrey , England Posts: 1,890	Clearly a tourist area, but just off the square in a side street come alley, we stumbled upon this spiral staircase leading up to an apartment - look closely - the stair rail is actually made from old oil drums!: Attached Images __________________ Always sufficient hills - never sufficient gears

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