Return to Marina

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 20 May 2012 22:57
Back from Havana
 
 
 
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 053  BB Havana on Bus 052  BB Havana on Bus 054
 
After beer o’clock and a further bimble it was time to head back to the bus stop
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 088  BB Havana on Bus 089 
 
BB Havana on Bus 074
 
Beautiful hotel lobbies and a ............ whatever next
 
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 071  BB Havana on Bus 084
 
We passed a pharmacy with sadly lacking stock and the butcher’s shop, closed on Sunday
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 083  BB Havana on Bus 086  BB Havana on Bus 087
 
It was so apparent that in the ‘ago’ these were stunning buildings beautifully finished
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 096
 
Back to the bus bays, the trigger finger couldn’t be stopped
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 095  BB Havana on Bus 097  BB Havana on Bus 098
 
We sat and waited for our bus, known by the dodgy looking doll in flip flops and set off
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 099  BB Havana on Bus 102  BB Havana on Bus 105
 
BB Havana on Bus 106
 
BB Havana on Bus 113
 
BB Havana on Bus 120
 
BB Havana on Bus 121
 
Random stuff taken through the bus window
 
 
BB Havana on Bus 119
 

The flag pole saga is a great story and we had to slip it in. The grounds of the USINT (United States Interest Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Havana – building far right in the picture) annually featured a Christmas display - including a Santa Claus, a Frosty the snowman and a sleigh. In 2004, the display also included a large number "75". This was in reference to the jailed dissidents. The Cuban government, in response to Section Chief James Cason's refusal to remove the sign, placed several large billboards facing the building, carrying images of the abuse in Abu Ghraib and references to Nazis.

In January 2006, USINT began displaying messages on a scrolling "electronic billboard" in the windows of their top floor. Messages include the George Burns quotation, "How sad that all the people who would know how to run this country are driving taxis or cutting hair." Following a protest march, the Cuban government erected a large number of poles, carrying black flags with single white stars, obscuring the messages. In June 2006, Granma International referred to the billboard as the systematic launching of the crudest insults of our people via the electronic billboard, which, in violation of the most elemental regulations of international law, they think they can maintain with impunity on the facade of that imperial lair.

Also during 2006, the Cuban billboards began carrying images of President Bush and Luis Posada Carriles as vampires and axe-murderers.

President Obama said “No more, Stop It” so in June 2009, the electronic billboard was turned off, because, according to the United States Department of State, the billboard was not effective in delivering information to the Cuban people. Subsequently, the billboards - including the famous "Señores Imperialistas" sign - are gone as of June 2009.

 

 

BB Havana on Bus 137  BB Havana on Bus 136  BB Havana on Bus 134

Back at the hotel, off the bus, we saw a new visitor with much potential

 

BB Havana on Bus 138  BB Havana on Bus 139

Clouds looked ominous so we all agreed it was mojito o’clock and over a couple of rounds and rolls we watched the rain

 

BB Havana on Bus 141

Back on Beez, the early evening saw a very big girl Ellix Too, slowly enter stage rear

 

BB Havana on Bus 146  BB Havana on Bus 149

Muchos entertainment and major bow thrusting to get her parked, rather them than me as a small battalion of staff ran around on walkie talkies saying “left a bit” “right a bit”, Bernie the bolt. 

 
 
.
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL QUITE A DAY