The Barber is in the house

Do you have a electric shaver? If you answered YES, just do what this guy did in Habana Vieja, open the door, put down a stool and start cutting.

Havana Noir

To most outsiders, Havana is a tropical sin city: a Roman ruin of sex and noise, a parallel universe familiar but exotic, and embargoed enough to serve as a release valve for whatever desire or pulse has been repressed or denied. Habaneros know that this is neither new--long before Havana collapsed during the Revolution's Special Period, all the way back to colonial times, it had already been the destination of choice for foreigners who wanted to indulge in what was otherwise forbidden to them--nor particularly true. Get the book at Amazon

Follow the drums

Walking around Havana is an inspiration to all senses. You can hear music from every corner and many open doors and windows. And if you are lucky and follow the drumming like I did, you can come across a Santeria celebration, get invited and feel Cuba.

Springtime in Havana

Just returned from a humanitarian mission to Havana with my friend and guide Marc, made me realize how much we complain about everything and nothing. Our Cuban friends seem to manage their lives despite the embargo but are full of hope and good spirit.

View from the inside

Many cars in Havana are leftovers from the Russians. These "Ladas" are sometimes more than 25 years old and it shows. Since gas is expensive, most drivers shift into neutral the moment the street goes downhill. All you have to do is pray that he can shift back into gear....

Bailout?

The Cuban car industry needs no bailout, this driver just bailed out to.... If this car needs anything, how about tires, windows, tail lights and maybe a front section.

The new Mexican pesos bill

What swine flu?

Smoke a cigar, keep everybody in the country, have a some rum and you should be fine. If that does not help, try these...

I can see my house from here?

At one point Victor Alvarez lived right next to the famous Bodeguita del Medio. Without a doubt, this is one of the most famous Cuban restaurants in the world, not only because it is an obligatory stop-off for all artists and writers who visit Havana, but also because Ernest Hemingway was a regular, at the Bodeguita del Medio, at Calle Empedrado, enjoying his mojitos. Legend has it that Victor was also introduced to Cuban ron....

Drive to Havana?

Cuba has banned passenger flights until midnight 1 May although it has made an exception if the airline is planning to only transport Mexicans wishing to leave Cuba and return home. Should we drive?