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Along Calle Obispo we encountered some particularly persistent hawkers though this was done in a reasonably friendly manner. In fact, we were quite amazed at some of the stories that were used to convince us that we should be parted with your cash for cigars etc. Most included tales that they had friends who lived in various parts of the UK and that they were saving up to go and visit them. In hindsight, we should have taken up one or two offers to visit a palador (private house serving meals) for lunch as later in the trip we found these to provide the best food on offer and at fantastic prices.

Cuba Independently? Es Posible! Old Habana/Vieja

Derek.gruar
2005-11-17 18:19:58

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Along Calle Obispo we encountered some particularly persistent hawkers though this was done in a reasonably friendly manner. In fact, we were quite amazed at some of the stories that were used to convince us that we should be parted with your cash for cigars etc. Most included tales that they had friends who lived in various parts of the UK and that they were saving up to go and visit them. In hindsight, we should have taken up one or two offers to visit a palador (private house serving meals) for lunch as later in the trip we found these to provide the best food on offer and at fantastic prices.

One unwanted aspect of the hawking along these streets was the various offers of Cocaine. A useful defensive tactic to deflect the attentions of any hawkers was to take up the pretence of not being able to understand much English, Spanish or German. Neil had a basic knowledge of Swedish and a few words in a relatively obscure tongue (for Cuba) soon had hawkers thinking that they were not going to get through to us and sell any of their wares, possibly a little underhanded on our part but it was mightily effective.

We did find a good café for lunch that served excellent Cuban sandwich and very cheap starters of ham and cheese: Café Dichiosa on Calle Obispo.

C. Obispo leads to one of the architectural treasures of the city, its Cathedral set in an attractive square, surrounded by shops selling tourist goods (postcards and stamps too). In the square is the El Patio restaurant that is given good write-ups in both the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet Books. We waited for 40 minutes after ordering drinks for them to fail to arrive, it has to be said we were not the only ones amongst the clientele to leave without ordering food.

The Capitolia: The building seemingly based upon the design of the White House in Washington DC is open to visitors and still played host to the House of Representatives before the revolution.

For $3 ...