Colours of Havana

There are so many things to take back from Cuba. Only a few matter – forget the rum, the cigars, the trinkets from the souvenir shops for a minute and just walk, walk endlessly through the streets, all day. Soak it all in, get a renewed appreciation of colours. The buildings falling apart, fixed a little here and there with whatever is available, a constant patchwork of colours and styles. The faded paints, bleached by the sun, washed away by the rain a sudden burst of colour bringing everything to life. Sometimes it’s just as little as a window, a mural on the wall, a basket of mangoes.

Havana constantly reinvents itself. These beautiful American vintage cars? Spare parts are rare. You might very well have a beautiful, original shell but a modern engine underneath. Or a completely different dashboard from the brand indicated inside. It’s not so much about recycling, more about being clever with what you have. Cans being crushed flat with a stick on the pavement? They will be put together to make a kind of insulation layer in furniture, fences, walls. Mattresses being pulled apart, springs cut away from it? These will be used for repairs. I’m told it’s quite something to watch a Cuban crafter open one, take the filling out, weld a few things back, refill and sew everything back by hand in 20 minutes max!

The fashion blends in wonderfully in this vibrant Havana. Colours don’t clash here, they complement each other, no matter how bright. Neon green trousers, blinding yellow, heart-warming orange… One in a while, you will glimpse a more daring touch – An Elvis Presley hair style, glossy black hair with just a little emerald green. Purple eyebrows. These are rare but make you realise Havana could compete with London if it wanted to…

Cuba havana central havana 3 Cuba havana central havana street rue cuba havana la havane american vintage car Cuba havana university université Cuba havana central havana washing line, balcony, linge balcon Cuba central havana cat balcony chat balcon Cuba havana central havana parking Cuba havana central havana pineapple ananas Cuba havana central havana mango mangue Cuba havana central havana roses Cuba havana central havana 2 Cuba havana central havana street art cuban flag Cuba havana central havana 4 Cuba havana central havana taxi bike Cuba havana central havana poupées dolls Cuba havana central havana 6 Cuba old havana souvenir shop Cuba old havana obispo Cuba old havana 2 Cuba old havana cuban mama cigar Cuba old havana flamboyant Cuba old havana coconut noix de coco Cuba old havana mural Cuba old havana street art che Cuba old havana street fruit stall Cuba old havana street 5 Cuba old havana street 6 Cuba old havana street 7 Cuba old havana street mango Cuba old havana street flowers Cuba old havana street clothes balcony linge balcon Cuba old havana street balcon balcony cat chat Cuba old havana street 8 Cuba old havana street fruit stall 9 Cuba old havana street empty church église vide Cuba old havana street danseuses dancers Cuba old havana street art Cuba old havana street art 4