Tuesday, April 01, 2008

The Streets of Old Havana

Our trip to Havana took place on one of the two cloudy days we had during our stay in Cuba, and this is obvious in the pictures, but, even though the lack of sunshine bothered me at the time, I now think that the grey sky rather becomes the stones.

Havana is a beautiful place, fallen prey to time and poverty, but still heartbreakingly beautiful. I hope to get back there, to spend a few days and not just a few hours, to stop and look better, rather than just run and photograph. Organised trips are hard on the soul...

But I will let the pictures talk.

The Cathedral...


Difficult turn...


Asleep...


People...




New in Old Havana...


The hotel “Ambos Mundos”, where Ernest Hemingway lived for several years...




His was a very small room, with a small bed and a tiny desk.
His typewriter was there – in it, an original page from “Death in the Afternoon”. We were told that this year’s theme was the corrida so objects pertaining to it had been brought from Hemingway’s house to illustrate his love for bull-fighting.

Who are you?... Who am I?...



Beautiful buildings...




Some Spanish history...


The Capitol...




A view from the Capitol...


Asleep...



For sale...

10 comments:

Chris Eldin said...

Love these photos.
Are the cars older, or just smaller because of the streets? They look old-fashioned.
And the grayness adds another layer to your photos. I think I like them better like this.

SzélsőFa said...

Nice photos, Vesper - the rain/cloud did not spoil them at all.

Most of the photos could have been taken in Budapest as well :D

Vesper said...

Thank you,Chris. Many of the cars are American cars from the fifties or earlier. Because they are so poor, few of them can afford to buy a new car.

Thank you, Szelsofa.
I've been to Budapest many years ago with my parents. I was ten at the time and unfortunately don't remember much apart from a general feeling of beauty. I'd very much like to visit it again.

Aine said...

Thanks for sharing the photos! I'm fascinated by the "new in Old Havana" photo-- they actually built around old architectural features (the arch)? Or is the stone first floor part of the old structure too? It is so strikingly weird to see the arch extending up in front of glass panels.

Glad you let the sleeping dog lie...
:)

Akasha Savage. said...

What wonderful photos, they gave a real feel of the place. I loved the cars.
:)

Anonymous said...

Thank for the walk, Vesper. It's nice to be able to experience a small part of these places vicariously.

Unknown said...

Such evocative images - you really have captured the spirit of the place - the old the new, the aspiring and the reality. I loved all the dog shots.

Unknown said...

It is weird that renessance is used in Cuba because that style was used in the 1300s-1500s and in the Antiquity.

Vesper said...

Thank you, Aine, I'm glad you liked the photos.
It is a weird and beautiful building - I wish I knew the answer.

Thanks, Akasha, yes, the cars are great. :-)

My pleasure, Jason! :-)

Vanilla, thank you! Oh, those little dogs - I would've taken them all home with me... :-)

Ropi, I'll have to find out more about this. Most of these buildings are probably from the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th. Of course, there exists the modern Havana.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Wow! Beautiful shots! I especially love the architecture! It's a place that is shrouded with mystery for me.