Havana de Cuba
The trip I took to Russia in Nov 05 was an amazing experience but, being an arrogant tourist, was a bit dismayed to see how quickly companies such as McDonald's and KFC had raced in to the waiting arms of the 'greener grass' minded. Their popularity was such that there were queues out onto the streets at every store. I felt somehow robbed of an opportunity to see a communist country working as such. It was at this moment that I decided that Cuba was one of the last places I would have the opportunity to do a 'before and after' look at a country shifting from a Communist regime to, most likely, a Capitalist economy with the impending demise of the once beloved Fidel Castro. Of course in order to achive this I would have to act quickly as Fidel is certainly not a well man as his failure to publicly show up to his own 80th birthday celebrations showed.
A slow period at work thankfully allowed me to squeeze a week in before Christmas so off I jetted with my housemate Andrea and a workmate of hers. With only a week we just decided to hang in Havana and not try to stretch the time too thin. There is not a great schedule of 'must see' tourist sites in Havana so the week was spent just mooching around the place drinking Mojitos and chuffing on big fat cigars. Not a bad way to live really! It was interesting to see the two economies and, infact two different currencies that exist to separate the privileged tourist trade from the meagre wages provided to the workers from the government. Highlights included the legendary Club Tropicana where the drinks are indeed free (or included in the price of admission, depending own how romantic you feel). A quick trip to the beach and hanging out with some of the very friendly, non solicitous locals were also fantastic. Definately worth a visit if you are in the neighbourhood.
The trip I took to Russia in Nov 05 was an amazing experience but, being an arrogant tourist, was a bit dismayed to see how quickly companies such as McDonald's and KFC had raced in to the waiting arms of the 'greener grass' minded. Their popularity was such that there were queues out onto the streets at every store. I felt somehow robbed of an opportunity to see a communist country working as such. It was at this moment that I decided that Cuba was one of the last places I would have the opportunity to do a 'before and after' look at a country shifting from a Communist regime to, most likely, a Capitalist economy with the impending demise of the once beloved Fidel Castro. Of course in order to achive this I would have to act quickly as Fidel is certainly not a well man as his failure to publicly show up to his own 80th birthday celebrations showed.
A slow period at work thankfully allowed me to squeeze a week in before Christmas so off I jetted with my housemate Andrea and a workmate of hers. With only a week we just decided to hang in Havana and not try to stretch the time too thin. There is not a great schedule of 'must see' tourist sites in Havana so the week was spent just mooching around the place drinking Mojitos and chuffing on big fat cigars. Not a bad way to live really! It was interesting to see the two economies and, infact two different currencies that exist to separate the privileged tourist trade from the meagre wages provided to the workers from the government. Highlights included the legendary Club Tropicana where the drinks are indeed free (or included in the price of admission, depending own how romantic you feel). A quick trip to the beach and hanging out with some of the very friendly, non solicitous locals were also fantastic. Definately worth a visit if you are in the neighbourhood.
posted by Mitter Brackie at 4:20 pm
1 Comments:
Mr Brackie. I'm surprised to see your first post wasn't about not drinking for all of January. You eyes are looking shiny, and your coat feels nice and sleek - but we'll bring you back down to your renowned grubbiness next Sat'dee. Yours, Philip Seymour Hoffman (aka Savoir Botherer).
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