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nuestra habana photographs: an evening at the fort page 7 of 10 |
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On a ridge overlooking the city sits the Fortazela de San Carlos de la Cabaña, completed in 1774. This enormous fort to this day, has never been used for its intended defensive purposes. The sunset and view of the city make it a peaceful place to pass an evening. Every night at nine, a squad of actors in nineteenth century uniforms reenact the closing of Havana harbor witch culminates in a ceremonial cannon fire. The Spanish used to drag a large chain across the mouth of the bay to keep unfriendly ships from entering at night. The show is put on by the city's historical society. There are a lot of tourists, but I got the impression that they weren't foreigners. |
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Lee and Hiromi watch step aside as the soldiers march by. The fort houses several museums, and the neighboring el Morro castle even has a bar and a small restaurant. |
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As in many countries, Cuba has a couple of years of mandatory military service that most serve at the end of secondary school. Looks as if this kid got a cushy job. I'd take watching tourists over sweeping minefields in Guantanamo any day. |
