Spend a day with me as I stroll through Havana, Cuba

For my 30th birthday recently, I fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit Havana, Cuba. I’ve been fascinated (some may say obsessed) with this city ever since I watched ‘Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights‘ 15 years ago. Without ever visiting the country, Cuba seemed to me to have an energy incomparable to anywhere else in the world. It seemed exotic, unexplored, complicated, and frozen in time. Spending two weeks here did not disappoint; in fact, it left me wanting more.

Lives lived out in the open in Havana

“Lives lived out in the open.” That’s what Cuba is. Walking down the street in Havana, you’ll notice everyone leaves their front door open. Peer inside, and you’ll see anything from an old lady cooking over an open stove to teenagers sitting in the living room listening to Latina rap. Neighbors sit on their front steps, chatting animatedly. Nobody seems to spend any time indoors, no TVs really, definitely no internet. It’s a great way to live, don’t you think? So unashamed and open and without modern-day distractions.

The streets here are colorful and chaotic

Below is possibly my favorite photo of the trip. This is exactly what it looks like to walk down every street in Havana, Cuba – kind of a chaotic, colorful, beautiful mess. And I cannot stress how important it is to visit Cuba now before THIS changes forever.

“Timeworn but magnificent, dilapidated but dignified, fun yet maddeningly frustrating – Cuba is a country of indefinable magic.” 

“For me, Cuba has always had the allure a forbidden fruit. I love it for its uniqueness, creativity and survivalist spirit; but, above all, I love it because, despite 60 years of setbacks, it remains an upbeat and open place.” Source Unknown

Havana has an indescribable energy

I’ve been back from Cuba for over three weeks now, and I’m starting to think that it may be one of my favorite countries in the world. The things that frustrated me while I was there are now I realize what makes it unique and unforgettable. There’s no place like it; it’s got an energy like no other. It’s like stepping into a time machine and being transported back to the 1950s. But change is simmering below the surface; Cuba will change; it may not be tomorrow, it may not even be next year, but it will happen. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again  – visit Cuba NOW before it’s too late.

Have you ever visited Havana, Cuba? What did you think? Drop me a comment below.                                           

Psst: you can also read more about our trip to Cuba here