Chapter 4: Transportation, Part 2

Another mode of transportation we utilized twice were rides in the old cars. We both remarked there were more than we expected.They repair cars on the side streets. There are very few actual garages Some are in different levels of repair and restoration.The first car we rode in a 1948 Green Chevy from Callejon de Hamel to Old Havana for $5 CUC. It was two brothers who were very nice. The younger brother was only about 10 years old & we gave them a bag of goodies when we got out of the car & they were so happy. The second car was a 1956 Bel Air Chevy, white and black. He was a want to be cowboy. We needed to go to the bus station all the way across Havana and we were able to negotiate $15 CUC, he drove like a maniac. The cars apparently have the right of way in Cuba and beep their horns frequently.Most old cars only have refurbished original bodies. The engines are from different cars. They are pieced together with mechanical ingenuity. We negotiated a horse and buggy ride for a hour and a half for $20 CUC. His name was Juan and his horse's name was Sol. He took us by the historic districts, waterfront areas and many other places of interest. I will elaborate on many later. They also have many bicycle driven carts. They are suppose to be for the locals, but they pander to tourists. I read if they get caught they could be in trouble, so we avoided them. One type we almost rode in, were these small yellow taxis that looked like a football helmet.The colors on so many of the cars are bright and beautiful.