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Hello all, well here is blog entry No 1 of the Epic Adventure No 2 and today we´re in....CUBA!!
I can safely say this is no thanks to both Manchester airport and Air France who, because of queueing at check-in, left us all of 10 mins to get from there to the plane - no long drawn out emotional goodbyes for us then!
We have decided to stay in Casa Particulares whilst in Cuba - so what are these? Well in an attempt to draw Cuba out of recession one of the measures Castro introduced in 1997 was to allow Cubans to let out 2 rooms in their homes for B & B to Foreigners and Cubans. So basically you are staying in someone´s house!
We were met at the airport by a taxi all organised by our Casa hosts Lisette and Orlando except that, on arrival, we realised we weren´t actually staying in their lovely apartment but in the spare room of a grumpy old lady who lived above them. When we tried to explain to her in our pigeon spanish that I don´t like eggs she obviously decided I was an extremely faddy eater who deserved nothing more than a plate of chips...for breakfast. Mmmmm!
Our casa was in Habana Vieja or Old Havana which really was quite an amazing part of town. We walked for miles all over Havana soaking up the architecture, people and atmosphere. After overcoming our initial problem - ok we were reading the map upside down, the grid system of the city became pretty easy to navigate.
The architecture in Havana is fantastic, old colonial buildings, which I think you could describe it as shabby but chic. They are falling down a bit so some serious restoration programmes are required and quickly.
Apparently Cubans are not permitted to buy new cars only the government can do that which they then distribute accordingly. This means that the country is full of well maintained vintage cars which I have to say look amazing. There appears to be some meaning in the colour of the number plate and we have been told that if it's blue it means, as it's a government car, that the driver has to pick up hitchhikers. In reality I think that most Cubans don't own a car.
For 350 years Cuba, under the rule of the Spanish, imported slaves from Africa to work on cattle ranches, tobacco plantations and sugar mills. Cuba is therefore a very multi cultural society but it's so nice to see everyone living side by side in harmony! This is quite unusual compared to some of the places I've visited where the distinction between slave owners and the freed slaves is still evident. Perhaps this is one of the successes of the current regime with its communist ideologies.
I'm going to assume that Cubans love dogs, or alternatively, have no idea how to control them because there are stray dogs running around everywhere!! Not being known for my love of dogs I can report that, thank goodness, they are all pretty docile and like to sleep a lot. If you are going to visit Cuba here's a word of advice - look down - 'cause you never know what you mind stand in.
As Jackie once said 'this must be the nation most thankful for the invention of lycra!' - she was referring to the women of Cuba who celebrate their voluptuous shapes by wearing the tightest clothes imaginable. Many women appear to reach a certain age and then spread to huge proportions around the bottom, hips and thigh area. Whilst the majority look nice on some the combination of tight clothes, bare midriffs and VPL's make an eye popping sight!
ATM's do exist in Cuba but they are sparse and not recommended instead we brought sterling with us and changed it at one of the Cadeca's (banks). The queues outside these places are huge and often there are 2 - one to buy currency and one to sell. The queues are primarily made up of Cubans and a security guard lets one person in as one person exits.
OK Mum and Dad don't mean to alarm you and please bear in mind that I'm a seasoned traveller so know real danger when I see it but the men here are so lechy it is unbelievable. I think travelling with David before cushioned me but boy I'm not now.All ages and sizes make 'tssing' noises or a fave amongst the ranks is 'hello beautiful lady'. Depending on my mood it can be extremely annoying or just part of the background noise. Cuba is a safe place and they never take it beyond these comments in fact I think they would get into serious trouble if they did.
On our second night there was such a racket outside that Jackie was convinced we were in the middle of a riot I suggested that perhaps a local football team had won a match - but in the middle of the night!! Turns out that after a mammoth game Industriales, the Havana baseball team, had won the national league and so the town went nuts which continued well into the following day.
Unfortunately I have to say that the food so far has not been great. Staple food is rationed by the government though you can buy extra if you have the money. Other food is available if you have the money but of course with the US trade embargo the choice and availability is very limited. The shopping experience here for food and other items is a bit like stepping back in time. Nearly all shops are counter service and it's like people don't know what is going to be available until they enter. Now if you thought that the British loved queuing then think again, it is a Cuban pastime - they queue for everything - including these shops!
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