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Now that I’m back to my usual life in Switzerland since little more than a week, there are things that I start longing for what was a day back in Cuba:
Being surrounded by colorful buildings and cheerful people. No matter where I looked at, everything seemed simply beautiful to me. I remember asking locals what made me look like a foreigner – they pointed at my clothes. Sure I did – I wore grey, black, white and the simplest jewelry I could find. Compared to my work colleagues, who dressed to work with nice colorful outfits, always perfectly matched with heels, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, I looked like a robot.
Near the Capitolio, on my way to Floridita.
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Finding spots in town to simply sit and relax, or maybe even read a book (or smoke a cigar, heh). Havana is full of benches that give you the opportunity to enjoy the environment (from the shadow, that’s essential).
Plaza Vieja – renovated part of the city center
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Almost no cars. Can you imagine it? I mean, ok, it’s really not good when taken from a work/travel/urgency perspective. Cars are a privilege in Cuba – I was told that around 80% of the locals do not own a car. You might think that, in compensation, they have a very good public transport – well no. Public transport is really unreliable (which, again, explains the existence of Cuban Time). However, the peacefulness I experienced in the heart of the city – with kids playing on the streets and neighbors randomly chatting with each other on a doorway – would be gone if you add to Cuba the amount of cars driving, for example, in Delhi.
Somewhere in Havana (when I got lost after the bus leaving me on the end station)
Somewhere in Havana (when I got lost searching for a cafe)
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Having such a beautiful sunset every.single.evening. This point doesn’t need to be explained, right?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Cuba sounds so lovely! Thanks for sharing the peacefulness & colour. Can't wait to experience it myself one day.
@JenThanks Jen, I do hope that, if you get the chance to go, it will be for vacation, and not for work as I did though! I missed out so many corners!