Havana St, Havana
Sam strums his guitar. An old battered thing that has seen better days. The sound resonates off the ramshackle walls on the opposite side of the narrow street as he plays a song called El Despertar, a melancholic refrain that seems at odds with the general Cuban outlook. I don’t speak much Spanish but Ricardo explains that it’s about bravery in the face of an uncertain future and now I understand its appeal for the people of Cuba. Sam sings passionately, although slightly out of tune, from deep within, making the accompanying facial expressions. Just as the song is building a little tabby cat appears from behind him, joining in vocals. It takes a second for Sam to notice but when he does he stops mid chorus, picks up the guitar with one hand, the kitten with the other, and with a slight bow of the head steps inside and disappears. “Feeding time”, says Ricardo as if he’s seen this before.
