Hi,
I just finished reading a 600-page book on Cuba and I have several questions-not all of which are directly related. Some are politically-oriented (the first-half). Some are tourist-oriented (the second-half). Please respond to whatever questions you can:
1. I read in my book that “the hotels are the backbone of Havana’s social scene?” I don’t understand this. I thought Havana is more about the authenticity, meaning roaming colonial streets and chatting with locals who are sitting outside their colonial homes. What so special about hotels in Havana? What gives them ‘life’? Is it that they host live music and this is where locals go for entertainment?
2. I know that Castro’s regime has, in recent times, freed up the economy a little. However, back in the 60s, before any significant privatization was allowed, was everyone basically making approximately the same amount of money or did it depend on province, profession, skill, etc.? What about now? Are all nationwide state-employed Cubans making approximately the same wage or again, does it depend significantly on province and profession? If so, then what stopped everyone from simply migrating to the country’s ‘highest-paying’ province?
3. In contemporary times, are private sector workers (like tour guides, homeowners who house tourists, private taxi drivers, etc.) allowed to keep most of their earnings? If so, then why would a taxi driver prefer to work in the public sector as opposed to the private? After all, the public sector taxi presumably keeps a much smaller portion of the net profit. Would a Cuban cab driver prefer the state sector because of wage security (receiving a consistent wage every month regardless of how many people he has picked up, how much business he has done successfully)?
4. Since the government ‘appoints’ citizens to their homes, how is it determined how many people will live in that home? How is it determined who gets the most desirable locations (e.g. Havana Vieja versus the far outskirts of the city)? Also, what if someone wants to relocate from, let’s say, Santiago to, let’s say, Havana? Is such freedom of movement allowed and if so, then who determines where this person will live and with whom he will live (let’s say he is single and relocating alone)?
5. Is it common, acceptable and safe to discuss politics in Cuba with locals? If so, then to what extent?
6. How common is it for women in Cuba to get harassed-locals and tourists alike?
7. It seems like the US granted some kind of quasi-independence to Cuba following the Spanish-American war due to local wariness of US support and local desire for independence. Why wasn’t Puerto Rico initially granted a similar status as Cuba?
8. Being a communist country, what is the state’s position and locals’ point-of-view on religion and church? Are Cubans a religious bunch or they more secularist like their Soviet-era comrade counterparts? Can you wear crosses and the like in Cuba without fear of harassment? I know Castro cannot be likened to Stalin, but has he-generally or ever-closed down church institutions and converted the buildings into functional shops of some sort (like Russia did)?
9. Did jewelry and other forms of material wealth appear in Cuba before the ‘Special Period (early 1990s)? If so, then how could have Cubans themselves ever afforded such a commodity?
10. For all visitors to Cuba, cans tourists pay for almost everything in US dollars? In other words, can one could simply bring to Cuba numerous $1s, $5s, $10s and $20s bills and roam the streets with no other currency in pocket-without needing to exchange currency in Cuba? If so, then in what currency does one receive change?
11. What’s a good guidebook for someone who wants to see all the important sights in Cuba? I am referring to a guidebook that, perhaps, breaks the city into sections and helps you do self-guided walking tours or at least a guidebook that breaks the city into sections, numerically lists all the important sights within each section and then shows you on a clear map where each important sight is located?
12. To see all the important sights and attractions in Havana, how many days do you think a visitor needs? I know that one could stay for weeks to soak in the culture and ambiance, but for pure sightseeing and perhaps a little nightlife, how much time do you think would be just about enough?
13. What exactly is the Buena Vista Social Club? Is there a specific place to visit in Havana to hear this music or band?
14. At the Playas del Este, are the beaches tropical and clean? Are they lively with drinks and music?
15. How much does a tourist card (Visa) to Cuba cost?
16. Can you recommend any affordable, cute and clean hostel in Havana Viejo? What is a typical colonial mansion-style ‘hosteles’ room cost in the Old Town (for one person)?
17. Have you been to ‘Casas de la Trova’ in Havana and if so, then were you impressed? What’s it like?
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The best way to answer your questions about Cuba is to hop on a plane and spend some time there.
You also need to broaden your reading and dispense with your non-factual pre-conceived notions. e.g., #6. Women are NOT hassled in Cuba. Whatever gave you that idea? #8, no problems with religion in Cuba. Crosses not a problem. Again, where on earth would you get silly ideas like that from?
#10. US dollars haven't been used in Cuba since 2004. Old information showing your lack of research. Read some up-to-date books.
#12 I'm going back for my 10th trip to Havana, for a full month again. Depends on whether you just want to skim the surface, or really enjoy the soul of Havana.
#13 Just Google it for heaven's sake. There is tons written about them. For a quickie lesson, go to Wikipedia.org
#14 Ahhhhh.... Cuba is in the tropics. Therefore their beaches are tropical by definition.
#15 Tourist Card are about $20
#16 Cuba doesn't have "hostels" in the traditional sense. A Havana Casa is 25 to 40 CUC per night.
Canuck_at_Canada_eh,
I personally do not find anything wrong with someone trying to familiarize with a country on a discussion thread. Of course, I agree that experiencing a country is different than reading about it. Nonetheless, I think the questions I pose are valid ones. In my questions, I presented very little as fact. For example, I was simply wondering how equality works in practice in Cuba, not just in legislation. Also, I was wondering how female tourists are treated? For example, are they commonly whistled or hissed at by jineteros?
As for the religion inquiry, Marx declared that ‘religion is opium for the masses’. This declaration was the impetus needed for the Soviet regime to shut down church institutions and basically ban religion. However, in softer communist states like Poland, such policies where never implemented. As for Cuba, I was simply wondering how religious the ‘masses’ tend to be, if Santeria or Catholicism is more dominant as a whole and what role church plays in Cuban society. How was and is the church affected by the Revolution? Again, I don’t know why such questions seem to frustrate you.
As for currency, how does it now work for tourists who bring into the country USD? Can they no longer use USD on the streets for most things? If so, then I assume that one would have to go to a exchange shop and exchange money. The rate is 1 to 1 minus the hefty commission. Right? Where is the best place to exchange money? As for sightseeing in Havana, how many days do you think one needs to simply ‘see the city’, meaning all the important sights and go to a few nights shows?
As for the Buena Vista Social Club, I was simply asking where one could currently view a performance in Cuba. As for question #14, just because Cuba is in the tropics, that does not help one distinguish between the less exotic beaches and the more exotic beaches. Location, location, location…I was simply asking what the vibe is like at the Playas del Este and how lively, clean and exotic they are. Lastly, when I wrote about ‘hosteles’, I was referring to colonial mansions that have been converted into cute little lodges-like elsewhere in Latin America. I was not referring to casas particulares.
Anyways, now that I have clarified, please, if possible, respond to any questions I pose. Thank you. CHarlie
Frankly greekness2004, the more I read of your postings, the more I think you are nothing more than a Cuba troll posting semi-political type questions that don't really apply to "normal" travellers seeking information.
For example, when you refer to "jineteros", you show a knowledge of local Cuban slang, which you don't get from reading one book.
Also, you ask questions like you're working on a graduate course in the Cuba situation, hardly what a normal tourist asks.
And frankly, you're simply not worth any more time. When I and other posters have replied in the following threads, you couldn't even care to say a thank you. How rude! Why should anybody waste time responding to someone about our favourite Caribbean destination when in your reply of 08/06/2007, you openly state "I have no intention to go to Cuba."
So the detailed answers were just a waste of mine and other replyers time. The detailed answer to the currency question was obviously wasted on you because you seem to want to post the same question again by asking about tourists and USD. Well nobody used USD in Cuba. USD are simply not wanted.
YOUR PRIOR THREADS WITH ANSWERS.......
Dealing with Currency in Cuba
Author: greekness2004
Date: 08/06/2007, 09:50 pm
I have no intention to go to Cuba. I am simply wondering how people do it because I watched Mike Moore's documentary Sicko and I couldn't understand how he and his compatriots paid for things over there.
Havana-Cienfuegos-Trinidad: Mostly Logistical Inquiries
Author: greekness2004
Date: 06/15/2007, 06:48 pm
Visiting Santiago, Cuba
Author: greekness2004
Date: 05/18/2007, 09:30 pm
Oh, and one other thing.
When you wrote over on the Thorn Tree/Lonely Planet forum....
"Would you say that the Cubans were more independent-minded than the Puerto Ricans following the US-Spanish War? My book made it seem like had the US outright annexed Cuba, there was enough obvious rebellion to make America regret. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Puerto Rico. Perhaps Puerto Rico was not as war-torn as Cuba and hence, not as insistent on its independence. What do you think?"
Clearly this shows the political motivation of your postings. This is a TRAVEL FORUM.
My Canadian friend,
While I still assert that I am not a political advocate of some sort, I will argue that as a tourist, it is important and 'part of the experience' to get a political understanding of Cuba then and now. There is more to traveling than taking photos and posing next to monuments. Traveling, if done correctly, should enlighten you on many facets of a country from political to gastronomy to wildlife, etc. So hence, my questions are of a 'travel thread' nature. Moreover, since you like to dig up my threads, I challenge you to find a posting of mine where I spark or even contribute to a political debate. I challenge you because you will find NOTHING. Once you find nothing, perhaps you will be forced to reevaluate your conclusion about me and my intentions. Perhaps I am not a secretative political advocate of some sort. Perhaps I am simply an academic type of guy who uses discussion threads for educational purposes-unlike some others.
By the way, when I made the statement that I had no intentions to visit Cuba, it was for that specific period of time (when I made the posting). I never said that I never wanted to visit. Do you think I'd read a 600-page thick book on Cuba just for fun?
Lastly, contrary to what you think, the topic of jineterismo is written in just about every major travel guide-in my case, Rough Guide. Again, you are outright wrong on this one.
There are some things we can disagree on, but in this case, you are outright wrong. You've got me all wrong. By the way, I have thanked several persons in this thread. Perhaps if you were a little nicer and did not accuse me of hiding my true intentions I'd thank you too. Take care. Greekness.
To all, I have a few more questions:
17 (continued). Are the 'casa de la trova' events more of a day or night event?
18. I imagine that Cubans are heavily engaged in nightlife, especially in the capital. However, I am wondering if there are any restrictions on where they can go. Are there restrictions? Can they go to hotels, restaurants, cabarets, clubs and anywhere else tourists go to party, socialize and/or relax? For the most part, are locals and tourists mingling in the evening in the same places or does the government generally and effectively separate tourists and locals in this regard?
19. I noticed that there are some hefty cover charges at some of Havana 's hotspots-$5, $10 and even $15 charges. Since it is logical to conclude that locals aren't paying these fees, I am wondering what their entry fees typically are. Are locals generally charged entry fees and if so, what are their typical charges? Also, are locals and tourists paying different prices for drinks? If so, generally speaking, how much of a difference is there?
I've only been to Havana once, would love to go back, waiting for the US to change its policies....
Anyway, I spent a week in Havana about five years ago for the International Jazz Festival. Part of a package deal, at the time, considered a 'cultural exchange' and we were 'legal'.
We stayed at Parque Central Hotel, not where I'd choose, but, that's where they put us. Typical city hotel. However, they didn't allow Cuban inside. There were some in our group who had friends in Havana, those friends couldn't come in the hotel. Only Cubans I saw in the hotel were the workers and the prostitutes.