How about a quick trip? LA HABANA, CUBA

[Mika]

Thought that some friends here might like to take a quick trip (albeit vicariously).

I had nothing to do with this video, but ran across it while arguing with some gusanos on YouTube.

WARNING - somewhat loud (but good) revolutionary music. Turn your speakers up.

LA HABANA CUBA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJbKKBmOUGY



You'll see a quick flash of a PFP/NSCUBA donated school bus in one segment.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Great video, Mika! I made good use of the "freeze frame" tool. Saw the bus, saw a camelo.

You don't notice how many modern cars are there unless you do use the "freeze frame" as one's eyes unconsciously fix on the 1950's and older cars because they are a culture shock to us.

Saw some more restoration is going on in the old part, as per the plans. I recall reading the man in charge of restoration, Eusebio Leal was finally engaged to head up this massive project once Cuba had gotten to the place it seemed possible to afford it, since developing an educational system, medical system, sewers, mass housing, extending electrical service, phone lines, etc. which served all the people of Cuba was by far the first priority, and there were such extreme problems to overcome it took all their resources to get each one of those problems down to the range of "manageable" FIRST, before even considering moving on to restore the old buildings.

Here's an article on this interesting official:



Cuban Restoration Project Pins New Hopes on Old Havana
By Scott Wilson, Washington Post, Monday 25 December 2000;
Page A30

~snip~
The restoration project has been in full swing for two years, financed now by annual revenues of about $40 million generated by the government-owned refurbished hotels, galleries and restaurants. At the helm is Eusebio Leal, the city historian who has virtually unchecked power to carry out the work in a country of blanketing bureaucracy. He lectures around the world, reportedly breaks building codes with impunity and reports only to Perez Roque and Castro. More than 150 projects, most in partnership with foreign investors, are in the works under his bustling authority.

"It is the reason for my life," said Leal, 56, while conducting a recent tour of the old city.

At Plaza Vieja, old and new sit side by side. On one corner is a meticulously restored apartment building with iron-filigree balconies and high ceilings now set aside for foreign residents. Across the plaza, laundry hangs from balconies and old men gather daily to play dominoes under the exposed wooden eaves.

"And of course running it all is Eusebio Leal," said Ricardo Becerra, a university teacher from the eastern city of Camaguey who is in town for a conference.

"He's moving mountains," added Mike Phillips, an English teacher at Havana University.

More:
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/43b/196.html

His impressive credentials:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusebio_Leal

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Saving your link to share. By the way, LOVED that version of "Guantanamera."

Thanks for the views.