Cuba is a curious country

1. Cuba is a curious country

2.

People are open and hospitable here, and even the
difficult conditions of existence do not suppress
their vitality. There is an atmosphere of calm and
relaxation.

3.

If you’re considering a trip to
Cuba, you must know some
misunderstandings, that may
be here.

4. 1. Money

To turn out your pockets and see how
money you have. Dollars? You are
greatly miscalculate! By exchange
dollars for pesos, commission is 20
percent! So fly to Cuba better with euro.
You can easily exchange them at banks
without commission on the peso.

5. but…..

Currently, there exists two types
Cuban peso - non-convertible
Cuban pesos (it is intended for
internal circulation) and the
convertible Cuban peso - CUC
(intended for payments to
tourists).

6. 2. Fee time: restaurants and clubs

Cubans know how to have
fun! And contribute to the
festive mood, in their
opinion, should be elegant
clothes. In some discos,
restaurants and clubs in
Havana, if you are wearing
everyday clothes, you may
not be allowed. Dress code
in Cuban is fancy dress.

7. live music

Almost in every
restaurant can you
listen to live music,
but not always free.
When you listened
to «Besame
Mucho», singers
can you present
unexpectedly a
score.

8.

9. 3. Open houses.

Many Cubans
do not lock their
homes, because
there is nothing
to steal, because
they live very
poorly.

10. 4. Smoking

Cuba is among five
countries, where
smoking is most
prevalent. Here
smoke both: men
and women. Сigar element of their
culture and pride.

11.

but…..
Be careful, some of the locals sit
on an old habit with a cigar in his
mouth almost round the clock, but
it not burn, just it is as an
accessory, so to speak.
So if you see like that at the next
table, it does not mean that
smoking is permitted in this place.

12.

In these "houses" made
Cuban the most expensive
cigars.

13. 5. Balcony Life

In Old Havana the streets
are lined with relatively
tall buildings sporting
ornate balconies. They
are lovely but it’s not only
their fine looks that make
them interesting.
Balconies in Havana
seemed to have a unique
culture onto themselves.

14. but…

With no elevators in place, even the
simplest of errands become a tedious
chore, particularly for the elderly. But
when the fruit guy or the newspaper
man comes by, there is an alternative
solution. Baskets are carefully lowered
down to deliver money and to pick up
the coveted goods. No need to go
downstairs. Life continues from
Havana’s wonderful balconies. It is
normal!

15. 6. Dwelling: hotels and “casa particular”

Hotel accommodations is very expensive in Cuba.
So what exactly is a “casa particular”? Cuban
residents can rent out an extra room in their home.
They pay a monthly government tax and allow for
regular government inspections to ensure the
accommodation is up to par. I highly recommend
staying at these “casas” not only because it’s
economical but also to meet locals, put money
directly in their hands, and simply to have a much
fuller experience in Cuba.

16.

17. but…

Do not be surprised,
if the glass of the
windows of houses
are sealed with tape.
Very often there are
hurricanes. Tape
keeps the window in
integrity.

18. but…

Very often, instead of glass
are shutters.
They are made of wood. It's
for good air circulation.
But other than air can
penetrate into the house
different insects and
reptiles.
It is quite normal for
Cubans.

19. 7. Locals talks

Neighbors have
conversations by
shouting across the
streets.
Moreover, they
speak very quickly
as a native Spanish
and so English.

20. 8. Cubans accost

Cuban people, referring to
other people, often
pronounce the sounds
«Psssss».
This means that they want
to talk with you.
It's the usual treatment
such Ukrainian "hey“.

21. 9. Dances of Cubans

Cubans dances impress
with their proximity.
They are very emotional.
They look like too free.
At first sight they look
like a bit vulgar, because
the emphasis falls on the
pelvis.

22.

23. 10. Meeting with Cuban friends

New Cuban friends can
invite you to a bar to
drink coffee, mojito or
rum…
…but…
… this does not mean that
they will pay – you will
pay.

24. 11. Cubans «mañana»

While not scold a hundred
times with the personnel, they
will not do anything, even if
you will constantly leave tips.
They say «mañana» and it
means «tomorrow». But Cuban
tomorrow can last a very long
time.
Most often it means «never».
These people are not in a hurry.

25.

But the waterfront landscape is
something, that always
impresses positively…