Discovering Old Postcards and Photos in Havana's Hidden Gems

There are some things that I cannot walk past without stopping and exploring; one of them is small bookshops and vintage memorabilia shops. It seemed to me that there were some very interesting ones in Havana, the capital of Cuba, and you would find them when least expected. These shops, often tucked away in narrow streets and historic buildings, provide a unique glimpse into Cuba's past and a chance to uncover forgotten stories.

What drew me to them were the piles of handwritten postcards being sold for a dollar each. Each of these postcards were telling a story, maybe of a father, of a mother , a daughter, a son or most likely a lover. As my eyes wandered a bit more, they stopped on some vintage photographs, portraits of souls who lived and graced the very streets I was walking on today.

I kept staring at this photograph of a young child of mere 3 or 4 years. He wore a tuxedo with a top hat and even had a small moustache pencilled in for the effect. He posed with such flourish that I was left wondering if the boy grew up to be an actor or was caught up in the workers’ grind of a communist country.

I came across some more shops as I wandered the streets of this historic city. The  American magazines and other trinkets left behind from the golden age pf the 40s and    50s were also on sale. Rock Hudson peeked through one such magazine which was also   on sale for a mere few dollars.

These shops are a treasure trove of antiques and vintage memorabilia. Most are family-run shops brimming with old postcards, photographs, and other historical artifacts, each with its own unique story to

And then I stumbled on to a few postcards from the days when Cubans travelled far and wide, lived a lavish life. As I flipped the pages of a passport of a well-travelled man, I wondered if he survived La Revolution.

There was a portrait here or a child’s toy there, a yellowed cook book with its pages crumbling or even a newspaper encased in plastic to preserve it. But the things that I wanted to bring home the most were the old chinaware which clearly must have graced the home of some well-to-do family of Havana but was now gathering dust in corners of a shop to be loved again.

I sighed and left it all there…in the shops…to tell the same stories to another traveller who, like me, was intent on listening. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply someone seeking a meaningful souvenir, these shops are sure to provide you a suitable reminder of the timeless beauty of Cuba's capital city to take back home with you.