Hasta La Victoria Siempre: Summer in Havana
Cuba… what comes to mind when you hear the word Cuba? Comrade Fidel Castro? Cohibas? For me Cuba is the people; the music; salsa; cigars; beautiful men and women skin sunkissed and long hair…yup you get it. I was introduced to Buena Vista Social Club album in 2005 and fell in love with the first track Chan Chan. I had known of Comrade Fidel Castro before then of course and his ideals on communism but I’d be lying if I said that’s what attracted me to Cuba Playing the Buena Vista Social Club album took me to a place far away. I pictured myself in a maxi dress, straw hat; levitating in the streets of Old Havana; sundowners in my hand. I pictured men with tailored bodies in fedoras; topless or unbuttoned shirts. I said tailored bodies not umkhaba. I pictured old men drinking whisky or rum in this case and cigars; I pictured driving into the sunset in a pink vintage car. Fast forward 12 years. A phone call took place: Let’s go to Cuba. Simple response: Summer in Havana!!! Si por f