Back from Cuba

[ontellen]

I know several of you asked me to let you know all about our trip to Varadero from the 4th to the 11th. Since Americans can't go to Cuba, perhaps some of you are interested in a Canadian's perspective.

We landed at the Varadero airport in good time from Toronto and then as usual in the Caribbean, waited on the bus for 1/2 hour to leave. We were staying at a 5 star resort called Paradisus Varadero. Very posh but showing signs of being 10 years old.

With my good luck, we ended up at the furthest building from the lobby and restaurants so my back was killing me all week. However, with all the walking, I didn't gain any weight. Perhaps that was because of the atrocious food. The a la cartes were good though.

All this stuff is normal for any all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or Mexico.

The difference is hard to explain. They are paid $50. a month, including lodging in a run-down apartment complex off the resort. All tips are pooled and 3/4 go to the government. No wonder they don't thank you that much. If the hotel manager makes the same as the lady cleaning your toilet, where's the incentive to do anything well?

A visit to the hotel gift shop was only remarkable when I looked at the book rack. Every book was propaganda. The life of Che, the writings of Fidel, the Cuban Missile Crisis (their version), the Bay of Pigs, etc. Not a single novel in the bunch.

On Saturday, we took the Havana tour by bus. It's mind-blowing. Our first stop was at the government building (whatever that means) - in front was a 57 Ford Fairlane convertible you could have your picture taken in for a few pesos. Behind it, sat a brand new BMW. The building itself was crumbling. In fact, all of Havana is crumbling.

It is sad to see these once gracious Spanish buildings in ruin. You know they must be condemned but then you see laundry hanging out to dry on the balcony and know that they're not empty ( we were there on Saturday - they are only allowed to drip water in the streets on Sat. and Sunday).

There are old 40's and 50's cars everywhere. Also everywhere is the image of Che Gueverra. There were many signs celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Revolution. The main square, Revolution Square, has a rather new building with a black metal sculpture of Che's face covering the entire side of the building. There is a huge monument on the spot where Castro once gave an 8 hour speech.

They took us to Havana's cemetery which is similar to the one in New Orleans. They have so little room that, since they don't believe in cremation, they bury people then dig them back up after 2 years when they can fit their bones into a tiny square box. This way many generations of the same family can be buried together. The crypts are jammed together.

They also took us to a rum factory. The only interesting part of this was that they need American Oak barrels to age their rum. The way they get around it is they order Canadian Whiskey in American barrels then reuse them for their rum. Necessity is the mother, etc.

An interesting and horrendous sidebar for someone like me with Crohn's was the lack of toilet seats and toilet paper anywhere. Not pleasant.

The monetary system is so complicated. Canadians have to transfer their money into convertible pesos. That's what we use. However, Cubans use regular pesos. The convertible ones are worth 24 times the regular peso. Therefore, a 3 peso tip (about $4.50 Cdn) doesn't amount to much when transfrred to the money they are allowed to use.

I found the people to be friendly but reserved. The tour guide on the bus sounded like a wind-up doll spouting on about how wonderful life was in Cuba.

Our whole week we were asking many questions about how they really feel - how they live. We don't have the answers.

It was definitely a very different place to visit but a very sad country when you get away from the resort atmosphere. Theoretically, there are no homeless people as the government provides housing for everyone even though there may be several generations crammed into one small housing unit. The American embargo is hurting their economy immensely as is their adhering rigidly to a totally socialistic society which stifles free enterprise. Many people are highly educated because of free education but there is limited market for their skills within the country. As an example of how they try and compensate for this, many medical personnel are loaned out to work in Venezuela. In return, Cuba gets cheap petroleum which they could otherwise never afford as their currency is virtually worthless outside of the country. Another example of how their educational system assists the economy is in the area of pharmaceuticals which are developed and exported to many countries around the Globe (except the US). If it weren't for foreign currency coming into the country through tourism, they'd really be in trouble. Only thing is starting in the early 90's, highly sought after American currency was outlawed. I believe that with the new administration in both Cuba and the US, you're going to see a more favourable relationship emerge which will be a boon to their economy.

P.S. David wrote the last paragraph.

Ellen

[minimetoo26]

I'm glad you got to go, but sad for the country.

[Loco Rovo's Interpreter]

I hope you brought me back some ceegars....

[ulysses5019]

I hope you brought me back some ceegars....

What Lovo said.

[peacock2121]

<quote sprots> most excellent report</quote sprots>

I am saddened by it. Maybe some day it will be different.

The truth is, it doesn't sound that much different from my experience in Saint Martin.

[MarleysGh0st]

Thanks for the interesting report, Ellen.

The monetary system is so complicated. Canadians have to transfer their money into convertible pesos. That's what we use. However, Cubans use regular pesos. The convertible ones are worth 24 times the regular peso. Therefore, a 3 peso tip (about $4.50 Cdn) doesn't amount to much when transfrred to the money they are allowed to use.

So Cubans aren't allowed to keep the convertible pesos, but must exchange them at this unfavorable rate?

[lilclyde54]

Thanks for the interesting report. Fortunately, I can drive 9 miles and be in Cuba. Unfortunately, I will be in Cuba, Alabama.

[trevor_macfee]

Fascinating report. Thank you.

[a1mamacat]

Glad you had a safe trip Mom.

Enjoy the memories of the sun LOL