Ok so after a complete lack of updating for ages ive decided to make an easy updating format of 'Cuba by Numbers'. that way if the internet crashes on me as it surely and regularly does I should be able to remember what ive written.

So, firstly...How to Catch a Peso Taxi....
(Pesos Cubano as opposed to Pesos Convertible which are worth 25 times more)

1. Hailing .
Official protocol on Santa Catalina is to indicate with your thumb pointing behind you for habana centro and to the right for Vedado. however, if hoping to actually get a ride, indicate as wildly and aggressively as possible in any direction. a hand-held set of traffic lights may prove useful.

2. Paying.
if asked to pay in Convertibles (CUC) by your driver, decline. a ride into town for 14 pence is the whole point of the exercise. there's no point paying more in any
case, as on some of these excursions your driver is bound to be stopped by the police in which case he will be fined and you will be have no transport.

3. Subtlety.
because it is actually illegal for foreigners to use peso taxis (taxi is also a broad term for normal people fortunate enough to own a car), it is sometimes useful to blend in. Attempt to look as Cuban as a blue-eyed, fair-skinned person possibly can. If with a friend argue loudly and passionately in pigeon spanish, talk about baseball (industriales are the best) and perhaps wear a wig.

4. Piropos (compliments to females, traditional in latin american culture).
when enduring excessive comments, marriage proposals etc from your kind driver, dont decline until AFTER you've reached your destination. It's an educating pastime anyway, and should improve your negotiating skills in Spanish.

5. Spacing.
It's completely nomal to have 7 people in a normal car and if taking a small van, at least 11 is expected. Accept the squishing and lack of oxygen, or say goodbye to cheesy calorific street pizza.

Having arrived at your destination, make your thanks, suddenly remember you have a husband in England and relish the fact you just rode in a 50 yr old chevvie practically for free!