human eyes have ever beheld," wrote Christopher Columbus
in his journal upon entering the north shore of Cuba's Bahia de
Bariay on october 28, 1492. His use of "land" is perhaps the most
telling word, for 500-plus years ago the pearl of the Antilles was
only a marvel of nature, as the Genoese explorer discovered.
Unless, of course, you count the bark and palm thatch bohios of
the peaceful siboney indians who greeted Columbus, as lasting
architectural achievements. it wasn't until the 16th century, when
Havana was bustling as spain's unofficial colonial capital, that its
aug
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infrastructure caught up to its flora and fauna. At least that's what
Caribbean-steeped travel antiquarian Michael Connors found
sept
