By Anton Constantinou
The story of Mr Havana centres on fragrance Havana Blues by & Other Stories: a bright, fresh and fruity scent from 2016, with prominent notes of fig, pomegranate and jasmine. Wears like a postcard impression of Havana: fun and colourful but with none of the rough edges you encounter in the city.
The year is 2016. Location: Havana, Cuba. It's morning time in Havana, Cuba, and a young jetsetter by the name of Mr Havana is walking the streets. A clean, fresh-faced chap, uninitiated with Cuba's dark side, who sees only the vibrant aspects of its capital city.
He stops at a cafe for breakfast. A modern, minimalist sort of place, popular with young people. He perches at a table and orders a fruit salad for breakfast. A succulent plate of figs and pomegranates, and a glass of lemonade.
He looks around and sees locals chatting at amongst themselves. Colourful faces in bright clothing, some with cigars in their mouths, others cruising by in classic American cars.
A smell of tobacco reaches his table and fills his nostrils. Its sweet warmth tamed by the breeze and wafting gently. Mr Havana inhales gently and notices something else. A smell of jasmine from a nearby garden, now salsa dancing with the scent of tobacco. The two toe-to-toe in a gentle swing.
Some time passes and Mr Havana is back in his apartment writing a postcard. A blue watercolour drawing of a street scene in Havana. He perches at a writing desk in his bedroom. The desk is made of cedarwood has a smooth finish to it.
As he writes the postcard, Mr Havana catches whiff of an incense stick burning in the air. Its patchouli smoke wafting in the window.
‘Hey Jenny’ the postcard reads.
‘Greetings from Havana - wish you were here!
‘Did a classic car tour today - twas awesome! Might visit some museums today and maybe an art gallery.
‘The architecture here is amazing! Lots of art deco buildings in pretty, bright colours. Feels like a movie!
‘I’ll bring you back a cigar.
‘Lots of love,
‘Jack’
Mr Havana turns over the postcard. A caption in the corner reads ‘Havana Blues - the city we long for’. He can already feel himself missing the place.
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