About 30 minutes into the ride from the airport, we transitioned from the Cuban countryside into Havana proper. The buildings took on a classic colonial flavor. I snapped this lone cyclist on the streets that seemed more bicyclist-friendly, only because the road wasn’t choked with cars.

The old buildings form a lovely backdrop in the first picture, which looked normal enough. However, what really attracted my attention is the state of disrepair and even decay. Look at the image below, taken moments before the first photograph.

The once grand buildings are falling apart. And this wasn’t the exception, as I discovered. While it’s a shame to see the level of decay, it created a unique atmosphere in Havana that I haven’t experienced elsewhere.

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