Room 710 , Parque Central, central Havana, sky blue, time in Cuba 7.45am time to our U.K. bodies 12.45pm! Beautiful, pristine coffee machine in our room. Coffee or filters????? No way! That isnt part of the deal. So we head for breakfast quickly as we to need to get out as we have just 2 full days to explore this manic, decaying capital that has been neglected through many decades of Revolution and Communist rule. Its people on the whole look well fed, but the slums that surround the city are sad, most folk are smiling and music fills the air wherever you are. But the poverty is all around, shops are few. Centuries old facades are black with water damage, rusting balustrades clinging on for dear life, weeds growing between brickwork and crumbling concrete. Row after row are empty, or look it. Only lines of bright clean washing tell a different tale. Life in Cuba is hard. Everyone is trying to earn a buck, from the second you emerge from your five star lobby, voices surrround you. Taxi! Car! Rickshaw! Tour! Bus trip! But a polite Non, gracias seems to suffice, most of the time.

We want to walk, take in the atmosphere, see the sights. The smell of diesel is all around, emitted from the thousands of pre 1960s American cars that cruise the streets and ply for trade. The Climate Change brigade certainly haven't been here. Yes, finally we succumb to the lure of Roland, proud owner of a bright pink Buick convertible, built quite perfectly in 1953! My twin, so we enjoy an hours city tour from the old town, through the tunnel under the harbour, visit Jesus Christ (the 30 metre high marble statue, that is) and pass the Cuban missiles and the rusting Russian military vehicles, still waiting from 1963. But little did we realise whilst we were doing this, the President of the United States Barack Obama and Raul Castro President of Cuba, were talking through the very early negotiations of building bridges between the two countries after 53 years of stalemate. The news crews were actually opposite our hotel, interviewing residents of Cuba. Good and bad thoughts from Cubans far and wide. But we were there! What a historic day. The city bus tour of Havana, like many worldwide, is a fascinating way of viewing a place. The idea of multistops, getting off and looking in depth - thoughts of our beautiful London always come to mind - but with Havana except for Presidents Square, the thought of wandering, wasn't what we wanted. The drive along the Malecon, the 8 km promenade and seeing the suburbs, the queues at every bank - getting cash from an A.T.M. or even finding one is like finding a 4 leaf clover - is enough. Cubans learn to queue from birth. We wondered why there was a crowd of folks every day outside all the telecommunications buildings. They are just trying to send an e.mail! Simply that. A task we take totally for granted these days, like breathing, walking along the street, we just do it! It really is another world. Those that are lucky enough to own a mobile get calls within Cuba, but thats about all. Its another world, this fascinating conundrum. 

Onwards and upwards. Catch you all soon xx