Cuba,  North America,  Travel Stories

La Habana – first impressions and walking through the streets of Havana

Cuba has been on my list of countries to visit for a long time, so when I saw how affordable the flights from Cancun to Havana were I couldn’t resist and I decided to hop on a plan. It’s only a quick 1.20h flight.

The plan for my 2.5weeks in Cuba was to stay in Havana a few days before joining a group for a week. I was quite excited by the idea of the group tour. I had been travelling for almost 2 months, and I was looking forward to just turn up and then someone would tell me where to go. For the remaining time I decided to stay for a few extra days in Trinidad and Cienfuegos before returning to Havana.

One word that comes to mind when I think of Cuba is intriguing. Arriving in Havana I was instantly taken by the architecture, the colours, the disarray of houses, people and old-fashioned cars in the streets. Cuba is a socialist country and the people don’t have an easy life. Where I see beautiful motifs for pictures the local people see houses that are in desperate need of repair. Where I see old fashion cars that make great pictures, locals see cars that break down non-stop because they are so old. Internet is only available in Wifi zones. I love seeing people in the streets talking to their neighbour, playing music, whereas the Cuban people probably would prefer to access Internet in the private of their homes or on the mobile phones.

Perhaps the most difficult thing to fathom is the economy and how it works. The minimum wage in Cuba is about US$10 a month and the norm is between about US$30 and $50. How can Cubans survive on such a small income? For a start, education and health care are free, and services such as water and electricity are very cheap. Most people live in a house their family owns and Cubans are not allowed to buy more than 1 property per person, so rent is only paid by very few. Every household is entitled to food rations, which although not free, are extremely cheap.

Another thing that complicates the situation is the dual economy. Government workers are paid in Cuban Pesos (CUB), while most shops (with the exception of a few, such as ration stores etc) sell goods in CUC. The exchange rate (25 CUP to 1CUC) makes it hard for them to buy goods in CUC. Only some goods are available in CUB and those that are, are usually of inferior quality. Imported items (such as new shoes, a hair dryer, new clothes, shampoo, razors, a
television etc), are generally very expensive, even compared to prices in developed countries. So for anything more than the bare basics, Cubans need CUCs in quantities that compare to what you need in developed countries.

Cuba is not a country one would go for the food. Finding breakfast was always a big mission each morning and generally the selection on what is available is very limited. If you like ham and cheese sandwiches Cuba is the place to be for you…ha, ha…I try to eat vegetarian as much as possible but I think I would starve here if I would stick to that diet. Pork is the Cubans favourite meat, but one can find other meat as well.

The first of my stay in Havana was quite eventful. After making friends quickly in my hostel we went for a pretty decent early dinner. But when we returned to the hostel the skies opened up and eventually we lost electricity. There was nothing much to do but go to bed. The next morning when we woke up, the electricity was still out and news quickly spread that a tornado had hit Havana. We were so fortunate that it missed our part of town as a lot of people got injured and a few also died. As much as I was glad we were safe, my heart went out to the people affected by the tornado.

After that excitement things quietened down and I spent my first days wandering around town for hours. It was amazing to walk through the streets and watching daily life unfold in front of you. Unless you are in the touristy part of Old Town you encounter very few tourists, which I love. You truly feel like you are experiencing the real Cuba. I travel a lot and I haven’t been anywhere in quite a while where I had this experience.

Check out the photos and videos below. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge images.

One Comment

  • Kaia

    Wonderful coverage. I had some similiar thoughts along the way and absolutely agree that no other location has been nearly the same. Cuba is such a complicated, but beautiful gem.

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