Naadohdi va a La Habana, Cuba‏

Cuba is unique. A medical doctor makes $35/month and the people live on an average 79 years. The socialist political system and the US embargo have made the Cubans to live on a ration system. While we read negative reports on the media about the country and the way people live, I would like to differ. Compared to the other Caribbean countries, for that matter compared to a number of developing countries, Cubans have a much better life. The country is very safe, everyone gets a place to live, free education, eat food and have access to free health care at will. The rice/beans, salads and fruits are there for everyone, the hot-dogs are not. The rum is cheap, tastes good and flows everywhere, and the beer is expensive. The lean and nutritious food followed by an enormous appetite for salsa and cubaton has made people very fit.

I did not go to the tourist resorts, and stayed in different Casa Particulars, a part of the regular homes rented out to the tourists. I roamed day and night in every part of the country and felt very safe. There were guys who offer the guide services, they can be annoying, and a gentle 'no' will keep them away. Not knowing Spanish was a handicap and would like to think that being able to speak in the local language could have saved a buck or two in a number of transactions.

The telecom infrastructure within the country is good; same cannot be said about international. The cost is prohibitive to make oversees calls starting around $2/minute. If you could find an internet terminal then you are lucky, prepared to pay expensive rates at extremely slow speed.

The country has a tight hold on Cubans. The system decides who can get a passport and can visit other countries. There are Cubans who are married to foreigners, but cannot leave the country as their services are very much needed by Cuba. I met a lady whose children are in Miami, brothers are in Europe, she is stuck in Cuba as she is part of a team that develops critical vaccines. She is cool, in fact has a photo of her with Fidel in her living room. I am not so sure about others in this situation. The right of an individual is considered to be less than the common goodness of the country. You decide whether this is right or wrong in the Cuban context.

I felt a lot of appreciation for the resilience of Cubans, their ways to find true happiness, be it dancing their night out or talking crap with their friends in beautiful beaches with a big bottle of rum in hand. Their health system works, every one eats every day and above all it is very safe. I would love to go back again...

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Travel & Events

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• naadohdi
• cuba

[oz6220]

You dont speak Spanish ? Lean food ,eat food,Are you stuck ? can you go see your kids?SHE IS COOL WTF? Fidels picture but cant see her kids?There are 2 million Americans that are also stuck its called PRISON.Fact the music playing is ILLEGAL to play in Cuba because it Willy Chirino and the late GREAT Celia Cruz.Go back u live there stupid are you Madison Ave. or G2 Cuban( CIA).you OVER sold it and got Embargo in and Socialist.The Doctor makes $20,and people live AN average OF 97( NOT ON ) Busted