havana's neon bones and my dslr's cursed creak
i’m out here with my old canon rebel. no idea where i’m going really. just followed a street artist’s faded flyer that said ‘free stuff’ and walked into a tiny café that smelled like expired espresso and regret. the weather here? it’s that lazy 26.12 it’s like the city’s decided to take a nap right outside my window. i checked the app and it’s still there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
outside, some windows are functional. like the ones at this diner where the sign flickers but the coffee still comes hot. someone told me that the owner’s a former model who cries into her chai every morning. i didn’t ask but i’m taking it as true.
friends? nah. neighbors are the ones who matter. if you get bored, the old west meets the future vibe here is oddly satisfying. i heard that rumor from a guy selling grilled plantains at a corner stall. he nodded like he knew a secret.
reviews? forget them. i prefer overheard gossip. like how the library’s basement has a fridge that doesn’t work but the staff serves cocktails anyway. or how the surf school tried to charge 50 bucks for a lesson but ended up teaching me how to swim in a trashed tire. sounds fictional but a local journalist tweeted about it.
[iframe for map here]
i took pictures of everything. a cracked mirror in a dive bar, a cat wearing a tiny leash, and this mural that looks like a-windows-on-a-ship. unsplash gave me these shots:
i almost lost my camera when a kid threw a soccer ball at it. i don’t care. i’m keeping these photos. they’re messy and real. fit for a freelance freelance photographer who doesn’t care about perfection.
each day here starts with a cheese sandwich from a bodega that’s half-owned by a grumpy accountant who reads migration reports while eating. i asked him why havana doesn’t get snow. he said, ‘you don’t need snow. you need desire.’ which is either profound or stupid. can’t tell anymore.
links to things you might care about:
- tripadvisor for havana hostels
- yelp for cheap eats
- local art blog
the weather won’t change. it’s 26.12 forever. but i’m not. i’m shooting until the battery dies and then i’ll probably steal a bike and ride into the jungle to find something more interesting. if you’re ever here, don’t trust the guy selling ‘authentic cigars’ near the beach. he’s probably just rolling cardboard.
p.s. the humidity? it’s 68%. that’s perfect for molding cheese. or mold on your socks. either way, it’s fine.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/arequipas-walls-where-faith-and-graffiti-collide
- https://votoris.com/post/new-yorks-tangled-tapestries
- https://votoris.com/post/naga-city-on-a-shoestring-my-humid-journey-through-streets-and-flavors
- https://votoris.com/post/raleighs-sidewalks-tried-to-steal-my-graffiti-supplies-last-night
- https://votoris.com/post/amasia-a-weird-little-detour-that-stuck