This was our first trip to Cuba and all that we know about this country prior to arrival there is what there many old well-preserved machines, no Americans, and all not very cheap, because tourists the Government created its own currency. We have lived in this country for 2 weeks, 12 days of which the most popular beach resort of Varadero Cuba and unfortunately only 2 days in Havana. Now I want to share your impressions about this country, that we have been able to see.
The first thing I want to say that Cuba is an unusual country. Indeed, when you arrive in a new country, not always face with pronounced distinctive local way of life and culture. Cuba is unique in its history and, respectively, what we see now, too unique.
Cars in Cuba
I'll start with the most interesting for me-cars and modes of transport at all. Since the Cuban revolution happened in the late 50-IES, about 50% of all cars in Cuba is a machine of pre-revolutionary year of release.
Some of them are very beautiful.
Also the Soviet Union at one time helped Cuba and until 1991 year supplied Russian cars. And I would say that about 25% of the machines are Russian.
Of course, there are and rather modern foreign cars, but they are not so much. The fact of the matter is that in order to buy a new car, it is not enough to have money should get permission from the Government for the purchase of new machinery and generally explain the money you took.
Special attention is the public transport and taxis. Here are the types of taxi, which we met near outside of Varadero.
Taxi on pre-booking is very popular here.
Shops in Cuba
Second, it's hard not to notice the Cube-it stores and goods that they sold. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find countries in capitals which would not be shopping centres, European goods of famous brands. Cuba is still a country where all this no. Perhaps it's for the best, because many products and brands just went into our consciousness and we feel that have something fashionable or necessary. At that time, as a matter of fact, many of the things we absolutely don't need and buying them, we just throw money down the drain. The situation in Cuba is a bit reminiscent of the Soviet Union. People don't buy everything in one place. They go to the market and in different stores to buy a particular product.
Coming into the shop, you will not see covered shelves with goods of various brands. There are all necessary but the range of brands is practically non-existent. This applies to both products and electronics. Shelves are lined with the same goods. Because the Internet in Cuba is virtually no and music download nowhere, here is still pretty popular music centers.
On one of the markets of Havana we met such interesting placards on which were written by different kinds of vegetables and fruit, and the statement of the quantity of minerals and vitamin a in each of them. So, having come on the market, each Cuban can look at the table and decide which vegetables to him today to buy.
Cuban currency
Another feature of Cuba is the local currency. In this country, the Government invented 2 official currency. One of them is the Cuban peso, and the second, so-called CUC. You can pay and the only currency outside the resort areas. In Varadero, for example, you are unlikely to find a place where you will have to pay pesos, as CUC was invented for tourists and prices in the cookies significantly more expensive. But outside of Varadero you can pay and pesos, and if pay cookies, sometimes letting you give in pesos. At the same time, the Cubans hold such course of their domestic currencies-25 pesos per 1 CUC. Cook course against the dollar and the United States and the euro is approximately 1:1. I.e. 1 CUC slightly more expensive United States dollar and slightly cheaper euros.
The Internet and television in Cuba
Problem of major world cities becomes what people most of the time immersed in the Internet and less-in live communication with people and the world around them. In public transport, many people do not take away the eye from their phones. This is not a problem in Cuba, because the Internet here also. More precisely it is, but only in hotels and tourist spots and he is everywhere. Among other things, it costs a lot, usually around 7 CUC for 1:00 use of the Internet. Consequently, few locals can afford such luxury. Tv is also very limited. Number of channels does not exceed five. Of course, such isolation from the world, does not fall within the modern democratic concepts. But watching people here realize that they are so happy, without advertising banners, brands and the many benefits of modern civilization. Surely, sooner or later this will end for them and Cuba will be built the first McDonald's with free Wi-Fi.
The absence of United States citizens to Cuba
Recently, in the news, you can observe improvement of relations of Cuba and the United States. Maybe all this will soon lead to a radical change in the unique colours of the country. But until that happens, Cuba is unique and because here you will not find United States citizens, if only those who have dual citizenship of any country yet. For Americans, Cuba remains a closed country. Many of those are certainly not very satisfied and would gladly have visited Cuba.
Beaches Varadero
Varadero is the most popular beach resort in Cuba. Varadero resort itself is a "spit" that stretched 20 miles from the Mainland. All beaches are located on the left side. They are among some of the best beaches in the world. Here, white sand, smooth sandy bottom. Water changes its color depending on the weather. Sometimes weather can be windy. Then the sea has a darker, but still turquoise color. Water becomes a little murky, but this weather is very fond of windsurfers, who frequently come to Varadero for this sport.
In calm weather the same sea acquires magical turquoise saturated hue and has a unique transparency. From this it would not be desirable to leave the sea. The highlight to the beaches of Varadero add pelicans that sometimes arrive here to beg for food. They calmly strolling along beaches and agree to you photographed them, just remember to give them food.
In most cases, they are not dangerous, but still can sometimes be a bit aggressive towards some tourists:)
Read our other articles about Cuba at this link.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeDlkl3E0e8[/youtube]
