Many American boaters have been traveling to Cuba for years. They boated both ways through the Bahamas, the United States not ever knowing they were there.
Canadians and European travelers have been going to Cuba for years to enjoy an inexpensive vacation with beautiful beaches and blue waters. There are several all inclusive resorts in Varadaro.
Three million people live in Havana, which incorporates 270 miles and 15 municipalities.
Education is provided free through the PHD level. A person with a PHD will earn $30.00 per month,
A grill cook will earn $15.00 per month. Many collage graduates try to secure positions at resorts as waiters, bartenders and maids as these position afford them the chance at tips which adds to their income.
Food ticket allotments are provided to citizens for beans and rice. There are really no grocery stores for the commoner. They shop at government stores that carry the staples. We did walk through a grocery store for the affluent and were met with several people begging for us to buy milk for their children.
Cuba Libra is a rum and coke but the coke is an awful off brand. Many boaters take coke for gifts and tips, which is very much appreciated.
People of Cuba love their music. There are dance halls everywhere. They dance in the streets and in their yards. They are young and old. Salza is live and well!! We loved the music and how happy everyone seemed when dancing.
We were told that the cows we seen the farmer taking care in the field were not his but assigned to him by the government. He is responsible for their care and can be punished if he looses one.
We were also told that there are no homeless. That everyone is given a place to live even if it is an eight by ten room with a mattress. We were also told that the majority of people do not own their homes as most of them were taken away when the revolution took place.
They pay for the right to live in their home. Those that did not loose their home in the revolution receive much of their money for repairs from family in the US or other countries. If they want to paint their house they much pay the government for permission.
interesting fact, almost everyone has a cell phone and wait in long lines to buy phone cards for their minutes.
Beer ran $1,00-$2,50
Rum or Mojitos ran $3.00-$10.00 depending on how fancy the spot.
There were no advertising billboards only political
Citizens cannot stay in the resorts and cannot cross to another province without special tags. Our taxi driver had to stop when we crossed to another province and show his paperwork.
Supposedly Fidel owned 7 homes and moved every 2-3 days so that no one could keep track of where he was.
It looks like in 1959 the world stopped for Cuba and is still living in 1959
We stayed 23 days and were only supposed to stay 14. Tom wanted to stay another week to see Obama during his visit and the free Rolling Stones concert.
Just before we left we saw new heavy equipment repaving the main rode from the airport for the Obama trip.
We would like to go back but it wont be on our boat. The trips by cruise ship from the U.S. are unbelievably expensive for a few days visit. Three times what we spent for 23 days! Maybe one day we will get invited to go back on someone else's boat.
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