On our last day, we woke up to rain. Our hosts said rain was predicted for the next two days. That was OK. Since we had already seen so much of Havana, we didn’t feel like we were missing out. And, our host was home recovering from his cut hand, so more interesting conversations were in store.

the roads were wet and the bicycles were covered

bit of street art across the street

our apartment building

But, soon there were spots of blue in the sky, and by noon it was bright and clear! We decided to head out for some more exploring. One thing I enjoyed was getting a closer look at the sculpture. Check out the artist’s website http://www.artsanjuan.com/  He’s Cuban, from Havana and does some really interesting stuff. I wish the photo of the sign had come out better. It says – “Faces can show the soul of the people, the diversity of gender. It is impossible for me to avoid beauty, confrontation and transculturation among us. Today our globalized world is this. It is presence here and there. Why women? Because they are the utmost expression of life. My interest, as an artist, is to donate this piece to the heart of the city. May it beat among us, so that passerby may coexist with it and forever treasure it in their memory.”

it cleared up beautifully

a bit more street art

look, way down there on the right, the American Embassy!

I love this art

Visit the artist’s website. It’s worth your time. IMO

We decided to set off for the Malecon, and turn left towards a different part of town.

You see quite a few pay phones around the city

just a street

and another

is there anywhere without tour buses?

very interesting street art

I backed off to get a look at the whole building with the ornate tile while Joel enjoyed the street art. Apparently the building is not in use, judging by the trees growing in the second floor.

we passed this pretty church

the church looks to be in very good condition

what a beautiful building

We ended up in a more commercial part of the city. It looked like this is where the citizens lived and worked, not a tourist area.

a theater for concerts and other events?

a department store

check out the trees in this park!

there must be a WiFi hot spot here, judging by all the people looking at their phones

a bridal shop

I didn’t feel comfortable walking into stores and taking photos, but I did snap a quick one of this crowded shoe store

Interesting 3rd floor. Is it just a facade?

just walking around

It turned out to be a really beautiful day so it was a pleasure to be out exploring again!

another entrance to Chinatown.

The papaya tree up there had a fruit on it

more street art

I don’t know what is up with these dolls stuck up on the wall

After wandering for a few hours, we decide to turn towards home. We felt like we had been in an entirely different part of town but we actually weren’t that far from our home base.

sometimes some of the trash bins get full to overflowing. But in general the streets are kept clean and trash is put where it belongs.

This was very weird! Read below. Chickens…

and goats…

more veggies for sale

more run down but elegant buildings

my exploring partner 😀

and a bit of street art

About the red car and the goats and chickens… something caught my ear, like a child hollering but when I spotted the source, I realized it was a guy putting a couple little goats into that red car. Soon he came back with chickens, and then the bigger goat in the picture, and then more chickens. I mentioned this to our hosts and they explained it was the Santeria religion, that they use the animals for sacrifices. They didn’t know what was done with them later but according to some information I found on line, they are eaten. This BBC article talks about it.

It rained later in the evening and during the night, but we got lucky with the weather all day. We had a great morning talking with our hosts and did a bit more exploring as well. And, when we got back we found out our hosts had enjoyed a much needed nap. His parents aren’t well so he, and often both of them go to their apartment every evening to take care of them, sometimes returning after midnight so along with their daytime activities, our hosts have a lot going on.