It would seem difficult to find a second land for which there are such contradictory comments from travelers who have been there. Some return to their home with glittering eyes, new sensations and filled cameras. Others curse their nose for collapsed buildings, lack of comfort and poor people. Cuba is the land to enjoy the exoticism created by the regime. The 50's car on the streets, Fidel Castro's propogand posters, demonstrations.
The system in Cuba is still quite socialist, has exacerbated the economy and many live in total poverty. A lot is forbidden, but people smile much more than Europeans and even the poor people look free and happy. The locals are waiting for Castro to end, they think the system is not good. However, it does not speak aloud. Cuba has a very well-developed stack system, and loudly speaking against the regime is risky.
The Freedom Island, which is almost twice as big as Latvia, has 11 million inhabitants. Cubans speak Spanish, and very rarely one can speak English, Russian or French. It is a Caribbean country with beaches, diving pleasures and dolphins. From the west, the island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, from the south by the Caribbean Sea and by the North by the Atlantic Ocean. There are two seasons in the subtropical climate - rainy summer (May to October) and sunny winter (November to April). The water temperature during the year ranges from + 22 ° C to + 30 ° C. There are no poisonous animals in Cuba, the snakes are not poisonous, crocodiles live only in the reserves, and wildlife has long been eaten.
Cuba is a mix of Spanish and African cultures, from which the origins of such popular salsa music and dance come. There are surprisingly many salsa - son - bolero etc. ensembles. Almost every pub has live music! It is also advisable to go to some salsa classes, even if you have never danced before! When you go to a cafe or a disco, you have to add extra expenses to the musicians. Musicians do not receive a fee from the café, but it goes without saying that each table pays some pesos. Or buy their CD for 10 pesos - no tip is required
Shops are of two types - acceptable for a tourist pocket, but not cheap (prices above average Europe). And tocska. Locals shop there - on the street side for some homes with open doors, there is a marketable item - one can buy eggs, another flour, another white bread, and so on. Tochas and the market are the only places where local pesos can be used. Elsewhere - only convertible pesos. The fruit can be bought on the roadside. People stand with fruit or sit on a small table and sell bananas, coconuts, mandarins, papaya, gamma, etc. You can buy a variety of stuff as souvenirs - even from beer cans or rum boxes made of cardboard. There are also beads from real beans or black corals. A wide selection of souvenirs such as music CDs and Afro-Cuban musical instruments - rocks, gauze, etc. Or more practical snacks - Cuban symbols - coffee, rum and cigars.
It is also advisable to visit a tobacco factory in Cuba. Here tells the tobacco road from the field to the store shelf. Tobacco leaves prepared in huge workshops turn into expensive cigars that are offered at a price five times lower than in the factory shop. Cubans are so much interested in tourist money that many are trying to tell, buy and cheat money in a variety of ways - such as taxis, guides, pimps, strangers, etc. Whats your name? Where are you from? Many of these calls are made by the Havana center. The main thing is not to pay attention, as these workers do not want to talk ... They have learned how to get a commission not only from girls but also from eateries, lodgings, etc.
It is advisable to enjoy Cuban exotica as soon as possible, because even the Cubans themselves wait for the Castro regime to fall and Cuba's rapid steps to become like land ...
