2 June 2006
Havana
16) Cuba

I have left Cuba with mixed emotions about it.
It was hellish expensive and old Fidel has turned Cuba into a nation of beggars. There is a constant drone of "Amigo, uno Pesos" (= one USD) and every street is lined with propaganda of some sort. Most people will give a limb to get off the island.
Met a young taxi driver who was so excited because he had received a visa to go to Italy and was swore blind he was not coming back.

I travelled by bus to Santa Clara in the South East, to visit Che Guevara’s museum. He is promoted here as a state hero. Some vagueness as to whether or not he was supportive of Fidel turning to the communists, why he left Cuba and if there was some input into him being killed in Bolivia.
Scary looking at the photos of Fidel and Che in the early days and to imagine those hippies/dope head looking guys were taking over the country. No wonder the world panicked.

Also went to Vinalles, then a sea side town called Trinidad and did the tourist things like visiting cigar factories etc.

In general the place has an amazing atmosphere and is great to stroll around the old world, listening to Salsa/Jazz music. The real dangers of walking the streets at night is that a piece of old building might fall on your head.
Met some nice people and time past quickly.

Adios
Ricky