It's Complicated
Two types of money - one for citizens (pesos) and one for non-citizens (CUCs)
Can't Mail to the US
Inability to buy supplies from the US to repair American made products
Rules for American Visitors (can't do 'touristy things)
Rail system is 'narrow gauge' - dates back to sugar plantation times - can't support normal cargo
Equal pay for all government jobs (60% of the population) (20$ per month) no matter whether you are a MD Doctor or the Hotel Clerk
Flexible rules ....... better known as corruption.
Can not own land - so if you buy an apartment -you own the apartment but not the infrastructure. So the plumbing, balconies, elevators, roof, outside areas and public areas are not maintained by anyone.
Welcome Drinks
I would bet my next pension check on the fact that I drank more in Cuba in one week than I have in an entire year. I LIKE CUBAN RUM and I LIKE BUCANEROs. At almost every restaurant for lunch AND dinner, we were given a free welcome drink with rum and the choice of ordering a beer and/or wine for our second drink. Another bonus was the fact that my body didn't seem to react with sneezing and itching as it does here when I 'partake' with USDA approved beverages. (no preservatives? or some additive?). And yes, I brought back a bottle of Cuban Rum.
Beggars
Yes, a few asked for money but the surprise were the number of women that asked for soap. We found out later that soap had been taken off the government ration card list of supplies. So if you get the chance to visit Cuba in the near future - make sure you carry a bunch of those small hotel packets of soap in your purse or backpack to give out. (Don't worry both our hotels had the normal soap, and shampoo offerings - but take a wash cloth)
The Food
Lots of beans and rice but that staple course was very good especially when you added a little hot sauce to them. I had a pre-conceived notion that the food would be spicy. It wasn't. I followed my trustworthy China rule - I only ate food that had been cooked and did not eat any uncooked vegetables or fruit I could not peel. Bottle water for everything - including brushing my teeth. Some of our group ate the nice looking salads that were offered but after a few meals some of them felt the consequences. Their lobster was wonderful. When I have had lobster in the states it seemed too rich for my tastes but the Cuban version seemed to have a milder taste. Yummy! I kept forgetting to take a photo of my food when it arrived at my seat - probably too many 'welcoming drinks'.
