DAY 3 A DANGEROUS WALK TO OLD HAVANA

Dec 2011
Yesterday we started our day with a dangerous walk on the malecon.The guidebooks had flagged this as "must do thing " if your in Havana.Obviously this recommendation had been written by some travel writer peering down on the scenic ocean side walkway from the 16th floor of his hotel room, not by someone who actually did the treacherous walk on the slimy seaweed coated sidewalk. On a danger rating of 1-10 this was a nine. We did most of our walk on the road facing onrushing vehicles passing a few feet away from us . A grueling day of site seeing and mega walking lie ahead of us.First the Museum of the Revolution. Lots of pictures and letters but skinny on artifacts , this site was O.K but after awhile you got sick of the blood stained shirts being displayed like holy relics.The memorial room to Che Guevara featured a Che mannikin standing in front of a jungle background. Tacky and tasteless but the kids probably loved it.
The highlight of the day was the Hotel National , Havana's historic landmark mark built in the 20's ,stunningly magnificent, dripping with history the MUST SEE  icon in Havana.We sipped daiquiris in a beautiful courtyard overlooking the ocean and entrance way to the harbor .Inside, history and ambiance oozed from the ornate walls and high ceilings. Pictures of celebrities and dignitaries adorned the walls along with  prominent displays of Che and El Presidente 
Castro. shouted the fame of this grand old building. Back to our hotel this time by taxi, our bodies aching from our overbooked day. The 5 peso taxi ride was reasonable and included tip. A brief siesta and then off to old Havana for the Cuban Art Museum , Hemingway bar, and a rooftop restaurant. at the Hotel Seville
More rants about Tourism
                                          " Cultural refugees exchanging our soulless money for nuggets of real life.Thirsty vampires sipping the blood of a vibrant and alive society. We hunger for what the Cubans.have as their birthright, we want to gather their riches to take back with us at journey's end'

I told the girl at the hotel cigar shop " We love your country "
She said " you don't have to live here"

I coveted a poster in the hotel lobby of the jazz band we saw the first night we were here.I thought it would look good on the wall in my bathroom. BAD TOURIST! BAD TOURIST! I want to be different.