Thursday 30 May 2013

Hotel, Havana

A very simple sign that adds a lovely touch to a façade full of charm (shame a truck hid part of it).

Could this former hotel in the heart of Habana Vieja have been the Nueva Luz? This particular hotel on Calle de la Amargura was mentioned in 1959 by famous Argentine writer and journalist Rodolfo Walsh in the article "Calle de la Amargura número 303" about Jean Pasel. Pasel, whose real name was Juan Carlos Chidichimo, was an Argentine war correspondent. Persecuted for his progrssive views by many Latin American governments, he joined an expedition to overthrow the Haitian dictator François Duvalier. Most of the rebels, including Pasel, were killed on a beach shortly after landing. In the article Walsh writes that Pasel owed the hotel US$58 and had had to leave part of his belongings there as a guarantee.

Hotel

Location: Calle de la Amargura, Havana / Pictures taken in April 2010

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