I learned from an Aussie friend that nearly half of the Cubans living in Old Havana were staying in residences unfit for humans. On the last touring day we stepped off the main roads and saw a very different sight. The houses were so disgusting and broken down. I couldn’t believe people were actually living there. I instantly became grossed out and didn’t want to eat or drink anything from there. I’ve worked in restaurants before and could only imagine what the kitchens looked like. Gross. You can tell at one point the buildings were really beautiful but it’s been years since they’ve had new paint or work done. They’re all washed out and the concrete is crumbling. There are residences with very narrow staircases where the first floor is all dirty and inhabited then you look up and see laundry hanging out the second and third floor windows. We passed a block that looked abandoned and dirty then a couple doors down, a furnished house with working TV. A bunch of kids were playing volleyball in a square amongst more dilapidated buildings and half of them had no shoes on. It made me sad to see a place I though was so beautiful was really a shell of what it once was. So many stories and photos from differnt stuff. I’ve got cuban cars, food, style, travellers, music and more all written and I just need to post them. I would have taken week to do it there! I really enjoyed learning about life there.

There’s a Cuban hot shot on my plane sitting diagonally behind us in First Class. I’m not sure what exactly he does but judging by the dated yet very high tech HD camcorder and 21” Toshiba on his lap, I imagine its something to do with film or entertainment. He’s wearing Prada glasses and sitting beside a glamour lady with heaps of gold jewelery and makeup. She is clipping his cuticles in their seats while one of the attendants dotes on him. They are first to get drinks up here. I have some type of Cuban orange pop that is $2 (even first class!). She feeds him a mixed drink with a straw while chomping on chips. A male flight attendant watches the camcorder with ear plugs and continuously laughs his head off. I’m working on interview questions for features on Techvibes and Ad Girl. They’re gonna come out just before Toronto Life’s February issue containing my photo. I know it’s going to be a good year, 2010, I can feel it in my bones. I look over, the in-flight manicure continues. He was obnoxious and we tried to guess who he was. Before exiting the place in Havana I asked an attendant, turns out, he’s a famous Cuban comedian. How funny. Not. I’ve got so many photos to upload but I don’t know the internet situation there. I prey for free wi-fi everywhere [fingers crossed]. The air is warm, the sun is setting, and I’m in Cuba for Christmas. OMG.

Holy taxi cabs! I arrived last night at about 8. Took me just as long to fly here as it did to get through traffic to my hotel in Manhattan. I saw the Rockafeller Tree, it’s beauty! I’ve not done any exploring or hunting for style yet, that’s today. There’s a nasty storm on the way and we’re a little worried we wont make it out tomorrow. Stating tucked inside the hotel, insulated concrete forms to keep us safe from the nasty that mother nature is about to bring on. We’ve got a Monday afternoon flight to Cuba that CAN NOT be missed. I’m not too worried, actually, not at all. Ok, breakfast & shopping time. Have a great day!