Havana
Valentines Day seems to be a national holiday in Cuba. Despite the current struggles here with food, oil and electricity these people know how to celebrate and today they were celebrating love.
The streets were full with couples and families, playfully bantering with each other, singing along with the music that thrummed through the city and wishing each other, and me, a “Feliz día!”
Cubans do seem to love noise. Whether it comes from dueling restaurants, blasting their stereos out of windows to attract customers, people riding motor bikes and trying to play their music loud enough to hear over their engines, groups of musicians belting out Cuban songs on the corners, or speakers set up in various places along residential alleyways just to add to the festive feeling, it is impossible to avoid. And yes, true to Latin form, the party doesn’t stop until the sun comes up. Many a night I have lied in bed wondering how a culture can have so much energy.
Today though, as I strolled through the town, once again mesmerized by the layered history visible everywhere, the music felt more important than usual. It felt like it was booming out happiness despite the struggle, like it was helping one access their joy.
I stopped and got my hair cut, sat idly on park benches and snacked my way through the day contentedly, always feeling 100% safe and welcomed.
Tonight, I sleep in a Casa Particulare run by a woman named Barbara. She is a most excellent woman, who hosts people from all over the world with exceptional warmth and affection.
There are eight guests. One from Bulgaria, a few from France, one from Connecticut, two from Germany and me. I stayed here last year and Barbara has become a friend. In fact, I think I am sleeping in her room!
