The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1916-04-19
(By Francis Shoemaker

CuOd, Will lCS A,OSC.AoO IL
habitants, is one of the most
beautiful lands that eyes have
ever looked upon. Such was the
explanation of Columbus as he
set his foot for the first time up
on it's shores. Speaking OF Ha-
vana Republica de Cuba no city
on the American side of the
world combines the many adj
vantages which go to make up
a winter resort more ideally than
does Havana Cuba. To cali this
wonderful place "The Paris of
the Western Hemisphere" tells
only half of the story. In addl-
ton to possessing the gay, care
free boulevard life of the French
Capitol, prevailing and enhanc-
ing everything in Havana is a
charming suggestion OF subtle
antiquity and old world in
fuences, so to speak. Havana
is a delightful mixture of the
ancient and the modern.
All varieties of historic and
venerable buildings constructed
in bygone centuries, rub elbows
with the 10th Century clubs,
cafes and hotels, ready to serve
you with the conveniences and
luxuries of Broadway. There IS
a happy mingling of Spanish
and semi-oriental customs and
conditions with all that is
best in American civilization.
To the winter visitor, Havana
seems to be one vast pleasure
resort. There is the famous
Prado, the boulevard of wealth
and fashion which forms the con-
Meeting link between the cities
principal parks. Then there IS
beautiful Central park, the trail
fic and hotel center, with its
tropical foliage and imposing
statuary and where the band
plays in the evening when it IS
not dispensing music at the
Ma.econ, the city's ocean prom
enade. There is not an evening
during the tourist season where
these favorite haunts Of the
pleasure seeker are not full OF
life and laughter. The bright,
many colored lights, shine down
on a stream of gay and care-free
people.
The theaters, clubs and res
taurants absorb hundreds While
others prefer to promenade out
in the balmy flower scented air
and enjoy to the full the wonder
of June in mid winter. During
February the fun reaches its
height and Havana frolics in her
annual carnival. The streets
are filled with floats and deco
rated vehicles, confetti is snow
deep on the pavements and par
ti-colored serpentinos stream ev-
erywhere.
While the resort features OF
Havana are naturally the most
outstanding and popular of the
city's attractions, there are
many other things to interest
and FIJI the visitors stay. Ar
excursion down one Of the side
streets leading off Central park
will afford a very intimate glimpse
into the obscurer life of the old
err quarter of the city. On either
hand are queer box shaped one
and two-story houses, painted II
bright tmts of yellow, pink
green and white. Through the
open doors Of even the humbles1
of these dwellings,, you can see
inviting interior courts or Patio
filled with a profusion of exotic
vegetation. Stores and cafes
are much in evidence, being en-
tirely open to the street, ane
often minus a visible front al
all.
This outdoor life in Havana Il
very characteristic and gives {
striking picture of the mild
agreeable climate which pre-
walls at all seasons. Many O.
: the older houses have no glass
: in their windows, which al
though often barred, are Away
: flung open to the air except II
: stormy weather. People sacrl
) flee privacy for fresh air, AM
even factories and shops are ex
: posed unrestrictedly to the pub
! lie gaze. From the old Spanlsl
t warehouses, where swarthy
black eyed men stand smoking
eating or gesticulating as the!
work, come strange exotic Odor
Pl.rr.d - (PIANO