Havana: A Sensory Overload (and the Weather's… Something)
okay, so i’m still processing havana. it’s… a lot. i just checked and it's… there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. like, humid. really humid. the forecast says 23.29°C, feels like 23.35°C. 64% humidity, which is… a statement. the pressure’s 1018, which i don’t really understand, and the ground level is 1013? it all feels a bit overwhelming, honestly.
first off, this place is seriously old. like, really old. spanish colonial, the whole deal. you can feel it in the air, in the crumbling architecture, in the way the streets just seem to… flow. old havana is a whole other world, a UNESCO site for a reason. narrow streets, colorful buildings, it’s incredibly photogenic, even when it's drizzling (which it was, by the way).
and the harbor! it’s huge. a deep-water natural harbor - that's a big deal for shipping, apparently. it’s got three distinct areas blending together: old havana, vedado, and… well, the suburbs. it’s kind of chaotic, but in a charming way. someone told me that the harbor’s history is fascinating, all about trade and strategic importance. it’s like the city’s heart beats with the rhythm of the ships.
vedado is different. it’s more… modern, i guess? still with the colonial influences, but more of a big city vibe. and the coastline! 30 km of it, with beaches. i didn’t get a lot of beach time, it was mostly just… wandering.
the climate is… intense. tropical, year-round warm. average temps of 24-26°C. it's supposed to be hot and humid all the time. they have a rainy season (May to October) with heavy downpours, and hurricane season is August to October. i definitely brought the wrong kind of shoes. i'm not a fan of humidity, to be honest. i'm also not particularly thrilled that the primary water source is affected by climate change. it feels a bit precarious.
and the people! the population is around 2.1-2.4 million. it’s a good mix of different backgrounds. the language is Spanish, obviously. it’s a culture steeped in history, you can feel it everywhere you go. i wish i had time to learn some more spanish.
if you get bored, matanzas are just a short drive away. i didn't manage to go, but someone mentioned it's worth checking out. apparently, there are some amazing murals and a more relaxed pace of life compared to havana. that might be a good escape.
honestly, it's a city of contrasts. crumbling beauty, intense humidity, a sense of history that’s palpable. it's messy, it's chaotic, it’s definitely not for everyone. but it’s… memorable. i’m exhausted, but also strangely invigorated. i’m going to need a lot of coffee. and maybe a dehumidifier. really, really need a dehumidifier.
#travel #havana #cubacities #messy여행
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