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Entry to Cuba wasn't all that difficult once we knew what we had to do. Even the New York Airport told us how theres such a grey area when searching for information on Cuban visas. Funnily, we met a few people once we were in Cuba who all had trouble finding out information and being told incorrect information, even by their airline. In a casa particular in Cuba which is owned by the athlete Dayron Robles Planes, I'm sure you all know who I mean!? We didn't know either but he competed in the Beijing Olympics. Cuba was a nice surprise on the first morning as we arrived the night before so couldn't really see anything. Our hostel is right in the middle of all the locals who all look a mix between Black African people and mixed race. Strange how they can distinguish tourist from locals when some of us tourist look like locals. Although some locals do mistake me for being a local and always begin talking to me in Spanish. My usual reply is, "Hablo un poco Espanol" which means I speak a little Spanish. The hostel is very basic and only cost £5 a night, we had aircon but barely worked. I had a shower at least twice a day to wash away the salt on my skin. We felt so drained all the time, we wasn't sure if it was our diet, sleep, heat or change of climate. Most likely a mix of it all.
Our first few days were spent sorting out a bus to where my parents are. We went to numerous hotels to try and book our bus ticket to be told we must go to another hotel to book the ticket as they don't sell this particular bus ticket to Ciego de Avila. However, bare in mind every time we wait in the hotel, we are waiting patiently for an hour to be told in one minute that they don't sell the tickets. On the second day we finally made the trip to Viazul bus terminal which is a 20 minute taxi ride. We queued in the heat to be told the bus do not run on Sunday's, so we had to buy a ticket for the Monday. This disappointed us further as all we wanted to do was get ourselves in Cayo Coco where my parents are staying in a 5 star resort. The more days spent in Havana meant less days with them. We struggled to communicate as Cuba doesn't really have internet or wifi and even when you do, it's terrible. I know the architecture, culture and the old Cadeliac cars are stuck in the 1950's, but so is the infrastructure. No one wants to help and what ever you want to do, you have to do in person and you must queue for ages to get anything sorted. All I can say is that Cuba has been a complete headache from the moment we wanted to book flight tickets to sorting out the visa, to booking a bus. Never will I return. The food isn't great, we had plain rice and chicken most nights and a ham and cheese toastie for breakfast and lunch. They have no real supermarkets here, just people selling stuff from their homes. I guess it was an experience which I shall no regret. I just hoped it all went more smoothly to enjoy it more. And the taxi drivers must make a killing as they charge the same price as in Australia and they don't budge on the price either.
The only nice and helpful person was the hotel manager at parents resort who I communicated with through email. She sorted out so much for me. I said I was going to hug her once we met but she replied with, no no, many kisses haha!
The random Cuban local who comes up to you and speaks English to you, you know straight away these are hustlers and they are only speaking to you because they want something. Most of the times they want something for nothing. For example, a guy asked if we wanted a taxi and we did, so he called his friend. He ask for 2 pesos which is $2 for a beer. I said no, for what? I could of got the taxi myself. The same thing happened when we were looking for water. He took us to a shop and ordered a bottle of water and then a beer for himself. I just walked away. I understand these people don't have much, but there's people there that work hard. However these guys standing on the streets all day want money for doing absolutely nothing.
All in all, Havana is a great place but you must go without any time frame. When you free to do whatever you want, you will begin to enjoy it more. Take in the local culture and appreciate how lucky you are, as Cubans have nothing. Yet they seem so happy and they love Sunday's. Sunday's is there day off and they all have their own street fiestas.
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