Casa de Amistad (Friendship House) in Havana
Lunch here with Soledad, Sandy, Bonnie, Jack, Dave, Nana
Havana Cathedral, in the Old City
Construction on the baroque style church was started by the Jesuits in 1748, who weren't around to see it finished in 1777 — King Carlos III of Spain expelled them from Cuba in 1767. It was consecrated as Havana Cathedral in 1789, and some of Christopher Columbus' remains were kept here between 1796 and 1898. (They are now in Seville Cathedral, Spain
Havana has many of these lovely parks
We visited the hair stylist Gilberto Valladares (Papito) who had the idea to have a museum (Arte Corte--Casa Museo de la Barbería) on the theme of haircutters/stylists--in combination with the works of artists--many of whom are also hair stylists. This is another living museum. Papito has clients come in to get their hair styled in this wonderful space full of antiques and art. This entire street is part of the reconstruction effort and is a community project; there are works of art on many of the homes related to hair styling. It is a marvel. Here Soledad translates for us. Note the sculpture behind Papito.
Perhaps Kristy will be able to visit as a guest stylist
These wooden pieces are found next to house numbers on the street
On the walls along the narrow staircase (quite long) there were drawings such as this, "so you wouldn't get bored on the long walk"!
This is the street which is the community project
Hotel Nacional
Since 1930 it has attracted a large number of personalities from the arts, science and politics, such as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, artists Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Johnny Weismuller, Maria Félix, Jorge Negrete, and scientist Alexander Fleming.
Where the rich and famous once sat...and now we do!
Music by Son del Mundo