After reading several postings here i am left with the
impression that either Cuba is a wondeful place to visit or
its a country full of people waiting to rip you off!!
I am hoping that its the firsst aand not the second!
Please tell me the truth from your own experiences!!!
Than
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After six trips in the last two years, I can say that Cuba
can be both. It's really a land of paradoxes - a classless
society with clear class deliniations; a proud country - but
not too proud to beg; a socialistic country where American
dollars rule; etc., etc. It's a confusing place where very
little makes sense. However, there's nothing else in the
world like it too. If you're up for the adventure and you
have the internal fortitude, it's a worthwhile place to
visit - at least once. Some prefer the all-inclusive
resorts, where they have essentially no contact with the
people, which is fine. However, if you venture beyond the
protective gates of these resorts, be prepared for a
whirlwind of an adventure. By the way, I'm confused about
the place too - and I've been there. (smile)
Pro:
1]safe
2]affordable
3]friendly people
4]warm yr/round
Con:
1]it's a police state w iron grip, that's why it's safe
2]the people are pay shitty wage by Fidel, hence affordable
3]because they know if they befriend you, you can work miracles
4]sometimes too warm
I disagree with Diago, I've been to vietnam as a non-tourist and I found things similiar but not quite the same. I guess in any country isolated from the west, things are bound to be bizzare in the Gringo's eyes.
When N Korea opens I bet that's going to be a whopper of a trip.
I agree with your posting except, the classless part.
Perhaps it is classless on an officiallevel, but I found
that the people themselves form their own classes. Those
with money and those without and to a certain degree
colouring...don't mean to to denigrate but this was
gathered from talking with Cubans themselves. Perhaps this
is regional?
Sorry...re read your post...forget what I wrote!
In Cuba - its fuck now, pay later.
You can take a Cuban out of Cuba, but you're still fucked.
You should go, majority of people warm hearted, friendly
and welcoming, taxi drivers, esp turist taxi will try rip
off as anywhere else but 'ordinary' people no problem. But
remember that Cuba has a duel economy, wges are paid in
pesos, approx 20/22 to a dollar, 200 pesos per month is
above average wage, (eg Doctor). The only shops with
anything to buy are dollar shops, for Cubans the only way
to get dollars is from turists, either taxi, guide, selling
fruit, cigars etc, etc, so you can expect some people to
ask for dollars for any small service, others too proud to
ask but welcome any gift, take clothes etc that you dont
need and give them away rather than bring them back. A few
dollars goes along way. Have fun!, buy the music tapes.
Exactly, the 'classlessness' is supposed to be a goal of
socialism. However, in Cuba there are class distinctions.
Rather than being based solely on money, much of what
determines class is based on the person's affiliation with
the government. For example, the people with whom I
initially stayed, lived in a huge 4 bedroom apartment with
three bathrooms in Vedado while my girlfriend's family lives
in a small one-room house in Habana Vieja. After Castro
assumed power and everything became property of the
government, people who were considered 'good workers' were
given homes, cars, etc. as rewards for their commitment to
the revolution. That's how the family I mentioned got this
huge home. Unquestionably, personal politics and
patronage played a role in this. But that's how most things
are doled out among the people. There are some people with
cars and some without - why? Some have phones and others
don't. Since everything is 'government owned,' the people
can't 'officially' buy and sell these things - although it
does happen on an unofficial level. Consequently, they are
obtained through service to the government.
-
Another contributing factor to class, at least as I see it,
is the access to American dollars. Those Cubans with family
abroad fair much better than those without. And everything
in Cuba is up for sale, provided you have enough money. So
if you don't have a phone, you can always 'pay' to get a
phone (albeit for an exorbitant amount of money, by Cuban
standards).
-
Race is another factor. While the government preaches about
equality for everyone and the people claim there is no
racism, it's so deeply entrenched in that society that it
goes unnoticed on some levels. Why is it that the suburb of
Vedado is largely white, while Central Habana and Habana
Vieja are largely black? (That was a rhetorical question -
smile) The issue of racism is further clouded because of
the lack of racial identification in latin america. Rather
than being black or white, the people are described by their
appearance - i.e., mulatto, negro, etc. When I was in Cuba,
that was the first time I was EVER called mulatto. And you
have many people that try to move away from their own
'blackness.' While, genetically, some people may be black.
Their appearance is what shapes their identity. So how can
one address the issue of racism when the issue of race is so
clouded? This is not exclusive to Cuba, however. You see
it in Mexico, Colombia, Equador, etc. - with those of
European, Indian, or African ancestry. Once again, you see
those with European ancestry and the mestizos on the top,
while the Indian population is relegated to the position of
second class. While racism exists everywhere, the denial of
its existence in Cuba is what worries me. Some people
recognize it, and other don't. But until they talk about it
and address it, the problem will always exist.
-
Just as a side note, I live in a largely Dominian community
in New York. When I was very little, I looked at these
people who looked exactly like me - yet didn't understand
why they spoke Spanish. And then I was even more confused
when they said that they weren't Black! After all, they
looked just like me - if not MORE black; yet they weren't
Black? What I didn't realize was that they identified
themselves as Dominican first, and by their appearance
second. But the damning the about it all is that so many
people don't want to be Black. They have bought into the
racism hook, line and sinker! Oh well.
.....I'm sorry too. I didn't see your next post. ha! ha!
ha! Sorry for taking up memory on everyone's computers!!!
Diago hit the spot head on about racism. The fact is most
Cubans define themselves hispanics first. But the subtlety
is real. A little experiment, hotel/tourisy jobs are staffed
by mostly light skinned workers. When you're there, take
note the percentage and compare it to percentage of
light/dark folks on street. Gurantee it'll reveal something
(Note: tourist only areas don't count)
Diago and others. Have read many postings here.
Why does this group of people attach themselves to
people who are extremely poor and probably not very
well educated. You said your girlfriend works in
customs and lives in a one room house. Whay are you
who looks smart and articulate involving yourself
with someone like that. Is it that cool to be with
a cuban person that you can forget your inequality ?
Do you think you can "save" this person ? Just wonderin.
Is it the sex ?
Well said Diago! "Confused" you asked an interesting
question...
Diago...I asked many questions about racism while in Cuba.
You are absolutely correct that racism is not publicly
awknowledged but very rampant among themselves..based on
colour, money and government affiliation...what an
absolutely confusing society it is! I don't think I can
ever understand it!
Diago, does this bother you that those of us who are of
mixed race do not think of ourselves as only black? I think
you should take in consideration a different perspective we
as hispanic have about race. In U.S. there is a much
stronger antagonism, because of historical reasons, you feel
blacks first, and then americans. In Cuba the story is
different. On the other hand, if my father is white and my
mother is mulata, and both are cubans why can not I consider
myself simply "cubano"? Why should I reject the fact that
75% of me is european? and, that a 100% of my culture is
cuban? After all, I do not speak "yoruba" or "caravali," my
name it Rodrigo, I speak the same spanish that is spoken
everywhere else in Cuba. Why should I feel that I am a
traitor, when I am not? Please, understand, Diago, I am not
saying it maliciously, but I was just born with a beautiful
natural tan. That is all I feel about my color. Sorry, if it
dessapoints you.