Day 3

Here are the day 3 notes from Zach.

Today felt like a late start, even though I was down for breakfast 30 min earlier than yesterday. Mike knocked on the door, not wanting the ladies downstairs to have cooked our breakfast on time, only to have a bunch of slackers try and sleep in late.
Devin got up early to make his way to old town for the morning light and shadows they provide. He had called for a taxi at 7 am but gave up after an hour and walked to Calle 23 at the end of our street to hail one for himself. We woke Scott and had our percolated coffee and steamed milk from the pot that can't be poured without making a huge mess. We decided to forgo the van and guide for the day and walk most places on our own. We started at the Capitol, cigar factory (we did not do the tour at $10/person & no photography allowed)
We found a small square where all the old American cars are parked and started our way towards Chinatown.
With the exception of one street, I'd guess that most of Chinatown looks exactly as the rest of Havana. We found the museum of the revolution and toured the outdoor portion. A large portion is devoted to the events leading up to the bay of pigs and it's failure. One display claims to have an engine from a U2 spy plane shot down over Cuba. I don't recall hearing of this before and am anxious to read up on the history. 
Lunch was back to the place from last night, Los amigos. We each ordered the same dish as dinner before. Tired, hot, sweaty and full, we made one more stop; a trip up the elevator in a hotel with an observation deck on the 33rd floor. Here, the windows open up and provide a 360 degree view of the city, including the American interest building and the plaza that Castro built in front with black flags to block the view from inside. After a cafe con leche, we came back to our house for a re-charge. Mike and Devin crashed for a while and Scott and I read and got pedicures ($2) from Suri, one of the ladies in the house. 
We hailed a cab for Havana Libre so Mike could try to check email (failed) and make a very expensive call home. Scott and I stayed in the cab and went to get Mauricio. Out cab driver claimed to get lost and took us right by the American embassy in front of some Cuban guards (ostensibly to keep Cubans from trying to talk to members of the US envoy). Eventually we made it back to Mike and Devon and headed to a bar where we had a few drinks with Changuito, a Cuban and perhaps the best percussionist in the world. Mauricio and Scott know him well and we spent a couple of hours there before going to La Zorra El Cuervo, a jazz club just up the road. This was perhaps the best night club experience that I've ever experienced, Havana has an amazing nightlife! Once again, I'm struck by the friendly people and the almost total lack of hassle in walking the streets, even well after midnight!