{ Travel Muse } Havana in un Dia

The best adventures come unexpectedly. This particular TravelMuse moment was just that sort of adventure...

Following Playa del Carmen's hospitality-insider BPM Festival, my soul sister, Ayana, and I whisked away for a 36-hour cultural excursion to Havana.

During our short stay, Norman, a former Soviet-Cuban translator turned tour guide, took us on a 3-hour drive spanning the cobblestone streets of Havana's historic center to the inner bowels of its Chinatown (and his friend's kitchen, where we covertly purchased several beautifully-wrapped boxes of Montecristos) and finally to the top of the Malecon, where our vintage taxi finally gave up the ghost, leaving us stranded for another hour.

To our delight, blushing vendors came in droves, and after some time, we left with bags of carved wooden 1950s Fords, Buicks and Pontiacs, painted clay magnets of Cuban ladies adorned in headdress, and handmade beaded jewelry. Needless to say, the trinkets were a mere bonus. Leaning against the ancient walls of Morro Castle, watching the sun fade into waters that carried so many to US shores, I relished in the fact that I was sharing these moments with such beautiful strangers.

Later that evening, musical daydreams manifested into realities. Lovers of world music and longtime fans of the Buena Vista Social Club, it seemed we were destined to find that the group would be performing at a popular restaurant in Old Havana for our final night.

The restaurant, Cafe Taberna, was jammed packed when we arrived, but as luck would have it, we were swiftly led to a corner table at the front of the cafe, seated alongside the band. Best seats in the house.

The experience was beyond magical. The place was buzzing, and I felt like I was floating as I salsa-danced through the aisles, led by the band's dancers. So many times I had listened to Ibrahim Ferrer singing these very songs - the sounds of my favorite Cuban band echoing in my ears that night would remain a musing moment I'd not soon forget.


Ciao,
xx
The Gypset Muse

Images shot by | Anastasia Clemons and Ayana Fraser |