Cuba


 * A FEW THOUGHTS ON OUR CUBAN TRIP **
 * Most of Cuba is like travelling around a country which suddenly stopped in the mid 1950’s and didn’t bother maintaining what was there. Great 3 lane highways in both directions link Cuba’s main cities and towns but are full of cracks and potholes showing 60 years neglect. Wonderful old buildings with intricate decorations and wrought iron latticework are devoid of paint and crumbling, shutters rotting and plaster falling from the walls Old cars from the 30’s,40’s and 50’s vie for space on the roads with bicycles carrying two, old trucks, horse and carts and innumerable pedestrians.

Almost everywhere out of the city hundreds of hitchhikers wait patiently for a lift, many waving a couple of peso notes to induce drivers. Others wait stoicly for the free transport trucks or buses which don’t seem to have a timetable and will either show up or not! The limit to the numbers these can take is governed by how many are prepared to squeeze in.

Horse and oxen plough the fields, men with machetes and scythes cut the roadside grass and farmers wave blocks of cheese and guava paste (a local delicacy) as you rush by in your bus. || ||
 * [[image:cuba1.jpg align="center"]] || Queues are common and waiting is just an accepted part of life here. No-one seems to be in a hurry to be anywhere or to do anything – this includes shop assistants (a loose term really) who barely glance at you as you try desperately to get their attention. Museum and other government employees are probably even worse as they can continue a conversation with a fellow worker for several minutes whilst you wait patiently (or not – it doesn’t matter to them). Shops have little to offer in the way of goods and long queues appear when any new stores arrives, especially at the Ration Stores where Cubans can buy basic supplies cheaply.

Cubans returning from overseas (yes, some get permission to travel) always bring back whatever they can – on our flight into Havana from Mexico every returning local had a number of large packages containing TVs and other hard to get, expensive electrical items – this included all the flight crew!

Most people seem to have at least a second job as the wages are set at around $40 a month for everyone – barely enough to survive so many drive taxis or pedi-bikes, make popcorn at home and try to sell it along the Malecon, sell blackmarket cigars to tourists or play in a band in the streets or cafes for tips.

Music is to be heard where ever you go – every restaurant or café, even small roadside garages, would find a couple of musicians ready to jump to their instruments and play – surprisingly they almost all had CDs to sell or would otherwise gratefully accept any tips offered. Carrying small change is a necessity in Cuba! || During the “tough times” – when the Soviets overnight withdrew their support (late 1980’s-90’s) people existed on the beans and rice mix. It was a very difficult time in Cuba.
 * Cuban cuisine is rarely to be seen in cookbooks and for good reason. Hampered by the lack of provisons and variety they exist on pork, fish, chicken, ham, cheese, black beans and rice mix and plantain or yukka (sort of like taro or yam). The food is mostly bland, lacking spices but filling and soon becomes quite boring to our taste buds.

Despite the hardships here and the grinding monotony of life the Cuban people are friendly and willing to chat – they all know two things about Australia – “ah, Australia, Sydney, kangaroos!” – not always in that order! Hawkers will leave you alone once told “no gracias” and we never felt intimidated or in any danger at any time. The country relies on tourism (and Cubans overseas sending money back - over 2 billion $ last year!) and seem to be trying to look after them so at least they are safe.

We had a wonderful guide and a great group of people to help us enjoy our tour. Below is Dady, our tour leader singing with her husband at a cafe we stopped at for lunch one day in Trinidad. || ||
 * [[image:cuba7.jpg caption="Our guide Dady singing with her husband at a local cafe"]] || [[image:cuba6.jpg caption="The band! Yes, we bought the CD"]] ||
 * [[image:cuba3.jpg caption="A fairly common sight around Havana"]] || [[image:cuba2.jpg caption="They obviously have some VERY good mechanics here!"]] ||