Search results for: almendron

Some 300 ‘Almendron’ Taxis Queue Up For Diesel at an ‘Exclusive’ Gas/Petrol Station in Havana

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 12 June 2023 – At least 300 private almendron* taxis queued up this Monday at the gas station El Futuro, on Calle 100 / Vento – in the Havana district of Rancho Boyeros. At this service centre, which from today will sell diesel only to private haulage firms, the police were … Continue reading “Some 300 ‘Almendron’ Taxis Queue Up For Diesel at an ‘Exclusive’ Gas/Petrol Station in Havana”

Police Raid Against Illegal ‘Almendrons’ On Two Wheels

14ymedio, Ernesto Camué, Santiago de Cuba | 17 December 2018 — Authorities in Santiago de Cuba are determined to impose order on mototaxis (motorcycle taxis), the main method of transportation in the city. In the last few weeks, an expanded body of inspectors and police officers has been trying to check the illegal motorcyclists, around nine out of every ten … Continue reading “Police Raid Against Illegal ‘Almendrons’ On Two Wheels”

Almendrón Stories / 14ymedio, Lilianne Ruiz

14ymedio, Lilianne Ruiz, Havana, 17 June 2015 — Noisy and filthy, with an air of Hollywood films of the 50s, they often evoke the words of Galileo: “And yet it moves.” The almendrones*, pre-1959 cars that abound in Havana, retain their original bodies but the mechanical parts are almost always modern. A 1954 Ford may contain … Continue reading “Almendrón Stories / 14ymedio, Lilianne Ruiz”

Nostradamus in a Gypsy Cab (Almendrón) / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado

I was on my way back home in a collective gypsy cab or almendrón which I took at the intersection of Linea and G streets, in the Vedado neighborhood, where there is a popular route of these cabs going towards La Vibora. Before arriving 23rd Ave. the old car was already full. The last passenger … Continue reading “Nostradamus in a Gypsy Cab (Almendrón) / Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado”

Nostradamus in a Gypsy Cab (Almendrón)

I was on my way back home in a collective gypsy cab or almendrón which I took at the intersection of Linea and G streets, in the Vedado neighborhood, where there is a popular route of these cabs going towards La Vibora. Before arriving 23rd Ave. the old car was already full. The last passenger … Continue reading “Nostradamus in a Gypsy Cab (Almendrón)”

A Blackout Once Again Causes a Crash at a Dangerous Corner in Havana

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 28 May 2024 — The Toyota logo was barely visible on the destroyed hood of a car belonging to the Cuban Foreign Ministry that, this Tuesday, hit an almendrón* on the corner of 17th and G, in Havana’s El Vedado. The impact mark was left on the right side of … Continue reading “A Blackout Once Again Causes a Crash at a Dangerous Corner in Havana”

Without Russian Oil and With Less From Venezuela, the Lines Return to Cuba’s Gas Stations

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, May 23, 2024 — For three days, the lines have returned to the gas stations in Havana, where vehicles once again occupy more than five blocks, in an image that has not been seen for months . This Thursday, in two of the normally busiest establishments in El Vedado, 25 … Continue reading “Without Russian Oil and With Less From Venezuela, the Lines Return to Cuba’s Gas Stations”

The Nightlife of Matanzas, Unsuited to Cubans, Migrates to Varadero

14ymedio, Matanzas, May 8, 2024 — With the sunset, the streets of Matanzas lose vitality. Years ago, the live shows that illuminated the night emigrated to Varadero, and the “recreational” offers of the State have headed, one by one, into extinction. For those looking for entertainment in Matanzas, there are the bars inaugurated by private … Continue reading “The Nightlife of Matanzas, Unsuited to Cubans, Migrates to Varadero”

The Decline of Alba

14ymedio, Yunior García Aguilera, Madrid, 27 April 2024 — Alba-TCP, the alliance created by Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, has reached 20 years with the vitality of an “almendrón,” a 1950s American car, without spare parts. The high price of oil during those founding years was the viagra that unleashed the social-imperialist fantasies of both … Continue reading “The Decline of Alba”

In the Cuban Athens ‘Everything Is Done on Foot’ Due to the Transport Crisis

Not even the “blues,” the inspectors in charge of intercepting vehicles and boarding passengers in Matanzas, “impose respect” 14ymedio, Julio César Contreras, Matanzas, April 27, 2024 — A Transmetro bus passes by and does not stop. A few minutes later, one from Transtur follows it. Travelers on any road in Matanzas look in desperation at … Continue reading “In the Cuban Athens ‘Everything Is Done on Foot’ Due to the Transport Crisis”

An ‘Almendrovich’ — A Taxi With a Unique History — Tours Havana

14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana, 21 February 2024 — It was one of the fleet of GAZ 14 Chaika cars that Leonid Brezhnev gave to Fidel Castro in the 1970s. Now, it serves as a collective taxi like any old almendrón* and travels the route between the Parque de la Fraternidad and Santiago de las Vegas, in … Continue reading “An ‘Almendrovich’ — A Taxi With a Unique History — Tours Havana”

The Cuban Government Defends Waste in Tourism Even if It Doesn’t Benefit Other Sectors

14ymedio, Madrid, February 7, 2024 — A few hours before the start of State TV’s Round Table program, where the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, was scheduled to attend, the Cuban economist Pedro Monreal asked a very direct question on the social platform X. “Could the Minister of Tourism report the rates of … Continue reading “The Cuban Government Defends Waste in Tourism Even if It Doesn’t Benefit Other Sectors”

Three Hours Stranded on the Highway, Cubans and Tourists Suffer the Negligence of Viazul

14ymedio, Olea Gallardo, Havana, 4 January 2024 — The trip from Ciego de Ávila to Havana by bus is neither short nor cheap, but Maidelys is already used to it. This habanera has been traveling that road by public transport for ten years every time she has a vacation, to visit a sister in the … Continue reading “Three Hours Stranded on the Highway, Cubans and Tourists Suffer the Negligence of Viazul”

Eight Blocks in Line, the Price To Get End-of-Year Gasoline in Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 21 December 2023 — The faces of the drivers who were waiting this Thursday morning in the line in front of the San Rafael and Infanta gas station left no room for doubt: the feeling of helplessness was widespread. “Eight blocks long!” complained the drivers who were waiting in the hope of buying … Continue reading “Eight Blocks in Line, the Price To Get End-of-Year Gasoline in Cuba”

‘There’s No Diesel Anywhere’ Cuban Taxi Drivers Complain

14ymedio, Madrid, November 2, 2023 — The fight for a seat in an almendrón* (shared taxi) has become more evident in recent days. The drivers go right by the eternal lines at the gas stations because all they have is gasoline. “There’s no place for us to buy, there’s no diesel* anywhere,” a taxi driver … Continue reading “‘There’s No Diesel Anywhere’ Cuban Taxi Drivers Complain”