Editor’s Note: Freeline Media editor Michael Freeman reports back from his recent visit to Cuba, and has some advice to his fellow Americans: Book your flight to Havana as soon as possible! Here is Part 4 is his recent trip to that beautiful island nation.
HAVANA, CUBA — On this fine Sunday morning, our final day in Havana before heading back to Orlando, we woke up reminded once again of how strong the air conditioning system in our hotel room was. More than a few times during the night, I woke up feeling a chill in the air! Yes, in April in tropical Havana, it does get a bit coolish after dark and we could feel that in our room.
I had requested a blanket at the front desk but all they sent up was another thin white sheet. I guess with no real winter to speak of here, locals are used to sleeping without thick blankets. No wonder the Canadians love it here in the winter!
I got up around 4:30 a.m. as I usually do in Orlando, while Mel kept on sleeping. I had some fun posting about what’s happening here in Havana on Instagram and X, then went downstairs to get some coffee in the lobby. So glad I did — Cuban coffee is remarkably strong! I love coffee you can drive your car on.
Cuba first thing in the morning as the sun is rising is spectacular — at least in April. The weather is mild, it’s not hot or humid or sweaty, and there’s a cool breeze blowing off the ocean. Not that many people are out and about first thing in the morning, compared to mid-afternoon, but I suppose the locals are fully used to the climate by now.
Once I got Mel up, we headed down to our hotel’s yummy breakfast buffet. Sliced ham and cheese is an interesting breakfast option, along with fresh pineapples and pears. On the more predictable side of breakfast servings, more scrambled eggs were available, and they were delicious.
What are Havana’s Art Tours Like?
Abel came by our hotel around 9 a.m., for our final tour day, and this time we were staying entirely in Havana, focusing on art studios and Havana’s rich arts and cultural scene. Art galleries here often follow the theory that home is where the heart is, and our first stop was to visit a woman artist who had brought a home, added a second floor, and turned most of the property into an elaborate studio for her paintings, sculptures and other mixed forms of art.
Next we traveled to a unique neighborhood where block after block was decorated with artwork, all of it done outside on the streets in front of homes, before coming to one block lined with small art studios, each one with memorable works by local — and talented — artists. (One even had a large turtle relaxing in an empty fountain in the front yard.)
We weren’t alone, either; a big busload of American tourists showed up minutes after we did, and suddenly we were surrounded by a unique mix of different American accents as our fellow U.S. tourists snapped photos on their smart phones as they went from room to room, eagerly absorbing everything.
We visited a second alleyway lined with art studios and tiny cultural museums; it was fascinating to see just how magically these local artists are able to band together to create an “experience,” a place where the arts and creativity and imagination thrive.
Lunch was at a house is a residential neighborhood that looked like an ordinary home that you’d find in a non-commercial area; there was no sign outside advertising a place where you could get something to eat. But as it turned out, the entire second floor was a handsomely decorated restaurant with an outdoor patio for seating, and it gave us a nice view of the city.
This restaurant was also quite generous to us, providing me, Mel and Abel ( our cab driver opted not to join us) with salad, chicken, seafood, beef, rice and black-beans — all to share, family-style.
It turned out to be an excellent final day of our tour. Havana has a thriving arts scene, and it was a terrific invitation to come back to the city to explore some more.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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