No Reservation

Prior to leaving Havana, we scouted a casa particular in Vedado  and secured reservations for our return.  We were stoked to find this charming apartment,  thirteen  floors above the city with a wrap around deck and ocean views.  When we decided to stay an extra night in Vinales, we called to cancel one night and learned the room had been rented for one of the remaining nights.  Ugh, moving every night is taxing, as is not knowing where you will be spending the next night. Frustrated, we booked  (after 30 minutes of trying to crack the province code) a luxury penthouse in Vedado.  Sight unseen, we were optimistic from a description I read in a blog while still in LA.  After our 3 1/2 hour bus ride from Vinales, we hopped in a taxi.  The driver, unfortunately, could  not find the address.  After driving around in circles and borrowing a cell found from a random woman on the street we arrived at a rundown building.  It was 7pm, we were tired and hungry and without options.  Thankfully the elevator opened to a magazine worthy apartment with mid century modern furnishings, and views that made us giddy. Ydalgo, the owner, bought the apartment two years ago.  We sipped complimentary Cuban libres and discussed the changing laws, the entrepreneurial spirit among young Cubans and the passion, and money, one needs to create such a fashionable and high end home.  He recommended several local restaurants, the first one he described as trendy, a word we had yet to hear.