Havana, Beyond Its Vibrancy

  • July 31, 2017
Most of our time during the trip was spent at the University of Havana, attending lectures by local scholars or faculty members from the University. To get the chance to study in one of the oldest universities in North America, founded in 1728, was surreal. Not only did we glimpse into Cuba's vibrant culture and history, but we fostered a strong understanding of the island's unique identity that, from my view, is defined and redefined by people's solidarity, perseverance and pursuit of a better tomorrow.
Most of our time during the trip was spent at the University of Havana, attending lectures by local scholars or faculty members from the University. To get the chance to study in one of the oldest universities in North America, founded in 1728, was surreal. Not only did we glimpse into Cuba's vibrant culture and history, but we fostered a strong understanding of the island's unique identity that, from my view, is defined and redefined by people's solidarity, perseverance and pursuit of a better tomorrow.   
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Although definitely helping in developing our understanding of the culture, taking classes wasn’t our only focus on this experimental journey. We were encouraged to go out and explore the city. Between La Habana Vieja (The Old Havana) and Vedado – the district where we lived – lies the famous seaside avenue, the Malécon, which the people of Havana refer to as their “shared living room.”
Although definitely helping in developing our understanding of the culture, taking classes wasn’t our only focus on this experimental journey. We were encouraged to go out and explore the city. Between La Habana Vieja (The Old Havana) and Vedado – the district where we lived – lies the famous seaside avenue, the Malécon, which the people of Havana refer to as their “shared living room.”  
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Strolling along Malécon, glimpses of the Cuban lifestyle could be easily observed. Local fishermen would gather, standing high on the seaside cliffs in an attempt for another harvest, regardless of the time.
Strolling along Malécon, glimpses of the Cuban lifestyle could be easily observed. Local fishermen would gather, standing high on the seaside cliffs in an attempt for another harvest, regardless of the time.
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Malécon seems to be the place for a love story to bloom
Malécon seems to be the place for a love story to bloom
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Havana is vibrantly colourful. Developing under the influence of both Spanish and American culture has given the city an extraordinary uniqueness.
Havana is vibrantly colourful. Developing under the influence of both Spanish and American culture has given the city an extraordinary uniqueness.
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Colour is an eternal theme in the discussion of Cuban architecture.
Colour is an eternal theme in the discussion of Cuban architecture.
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Rarely have I visited any other city in the world that shared the same love for color as Havana does.
Rarely have I visited any other city in the world that shared the same love for color as Havana does.
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Havana is unparalleled to anywhere I have been before. Its intriguing aura and artistic identity are pervasively embedded in every single corner on the street, and in the most ordinary facets of people's lives.
Havana is unparalleled to anywhere I have been before. Its intriguing aura and artistic identity are pervasively embedded in every single corner on the street, and in the most ordinary facets of people's lives.
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
In 1959, Fidel Castro raised an unprecedented revolution that turned the world system upside down. The great ambition sparked from within the tiny island outraged their powerful cross-ocean neighbor, the United States of America. For 55 years ever since, Cuba and its people have had to live under a strict economic embargo that literally cut them off from the increasing trend of globalization.
In 1959, Fidel Castro raised an unprecedented revolution that turned the world system upside down. The great ambition sparked from within the tiny island outraged their powerful cross-ocean neighbor, the United States of America. For 55 years ever since, Cuba and its people have had to live under a strict economic embargo that literally cut them off from the increasing trend of globalization.
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
Decades of isolation nevertheless does not negatively affect everything on the island. A nostalgic sense of the 1950s is well preserved particularly through the omnipresence of the classic cars.
Decades of isolation nevertheless does not negatively affect everything on the island. A nostalgic sense of the 1950s is well preserved particularly through the omnipresence of the classic cars.
Photo: 
Roy Zheng
To embrace Havana is to have a fabulous time travel back into its robust history
To embrace Havana is to have a fabulous time travel back into its robust history
Photo: 
Roy Zheng

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