Havana: Giving visitors what they want
HAVANA: It’s a sunny Sunday in the Cuban capital. The calm waters next to the Malecon twinkle lightly in the glare of afternoon sun. In the neighborhood of Vedado, there’s barely any traffic, and even less public activity.
Except, of course, in the vast parking lot and public square a few steps outside the Jose Marti Memorial.
One after another, four or five big blue tourist buses come to a halt. A cluster of tourists descends from each. Feet barely on the asphalt, they are suddenly excited, for parked strategically near the buses are vintage America cars. In pastel hues from sky blue to powder pink they’re begging for attention, with suavely-dressed, charming and eager chauffeurs standing alongside.
More such taxis whir past the tourist throng, bathed in candy colors of purple and yellow, their speakers blaring years-old songs by American pop bands like Maroon 5 and Beyonce.
In terms of ambience, this might be what most tourists expect of Havana. And this is exactly what Havana will give them. Especially in return for $50 joy rides – more than twice the average monthly Cuban wage – on a circuit around the capital city’s broad avenues.
Never mind the billboards in praise of Fidel Castro, leader of the anti-capitalist revolution. He died in 2016. Never mind the towering nearby memorial to Jose Marti. It was closed this day anyway. ▪️
This piece was first published here.