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First, we will cover some of the Cuba Interesting Facts that one should know before traveling here.

Right now, I’m sitting at a local cafe in Belgrade, Serbia, sipping lemonade, and, conveniently enough, they are playing a song from the Buena Vista Social Club. My memories from Cuba immediately rushed in. And let me tell you, this is not the country one should describe in data and facts (even though there will be plenty of those in this series, of course). This is the island to be referred to with genuine emotions.

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Sign at the airport

I don’t think that anyone who visited can be indifferent. I mean, it’s Cuba – with sunshine and palm trees, white sands, mojitos and rum, crazy rumba rhythm and bongos, and people chilling outside, smiling, chatting. They are not wealthy, but here you will find the real meaning of the saying that “money isn’t everything”. Such proud, positive, well-educated, and friendly people! Actually, I felt like traveling to visit my distant relatives. Cubans will make you feel like being among family.

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The island is rich in palm trees

Cuba Interesting Facts

I see that more and more people are coming to Cuba from around the world lately. That’s great news for the country that is mostly relying on tourism since the 1990s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The US is also starting to lift the embargo that lasted for more than 50 years… If you still haven’t been and you were planning to for many years, this is the time to go.

Cuba-Havana-Glimpses-of-The-World

CUBA Interesting Facts: Spending a lot of time outside

The country will change in time, which is great news for people there, they will have more options and better opportunities. But – the country will change. Who knows what will happen with all the Cadillacs on the streets and old Havana facades? I believe that Cubans will find a way to keep their tradition, but still, go now if you can.

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Stands with Che Guevara pictures

What to bring

In this first post, we will deal with the essentials, a few tips, and Cuba interesting facts. There is one thing that I have been reminding myself not to forget to put down on paper. The thing that nobody told me about when I went to the island and I wish someone did. I don’t really know if the situation has changed much since I visited years ago, but here it goes.

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Old cars on the street

Due to the poor economic situation, Cubans do not have a lot on their shelves. Of course, you are not going to look for designer clothes here, but there is also a lack of “trifles” like pencils, cheap plastic jewelry, makeup, social games and toys, and sweets, chewing gums, bonbons.

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A typical colonial entrance arch

Every time I was asked for bonbons by smiling children on the street (they prefer those in colorful wrappings), and after I gave them all the chewing gums I had (which I bought at the airport in Frankfurt) and after I saw their sad faces when I wanted to give them money instead, I was so sorry that nobody told me to bring a suitcase full of sweets in all the glittering colors!

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A kid on the terrace in Cienfuegos

I was fortunate enough to meet a girl from Canada who was going home and had a lot more of those with her. It was her second time in Cuba and she knew what to expect. So I took over her sweets to share them in Havana. Those smiling faces were such a reward.

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A crowd on and off the mural

A song for – a pencil

Also, I was approached by a couple of ladies who wanted to trade their necklaces. Mine was just a cheap thing I brought with me because it went well with a couple of my outfits. It was mostly plastic. So I turned over to them not really being able to believe they wanted “that” necklace. In return, they offered a necklace of lined-up seeds, made totally of natural materials.

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A bar by the beach

There was another occasion when two charming elderly gentlemen came up to me, seeing me writing something in my little notebook. (That was the habit I had while being a journalist, always carrying around a small notebook and a few pencils in my bag.) One of them pointed to his shirt pocket (he had a pencil there) and then to my hand.

It took a while before I understood that they were interested in my pencil. Again – a plastic little thing. We don’t know what to do with those back at the office and here are two lovely Cuban gentlemen for whom this was a small perk.

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A beautiful sandy Caribbean shore

So, I took all those pencils out of my bag (being so happy that I had so many, unlike the bonbons). I even had a few I got as advertising material with inscriptions like “Press Office of the Republic of Serbia Government” (in Serbian, of course), that they thought were “so stylish”. I gave them all away.

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My new charming friends

And you know what they did? They took out two guitars that were put against the small wall and gave me a song. A couple of cute elderly gentlemen, sang away in the typical Cuban manner, smiling like having the time of their lives. They were not “paying” for the pencils, of course, but rewarding me, returning the favor. I was so touched and felt proud for being in such charming company.

We just waved to each other after the song was over (while five or six pencils were now sticking out of their pockets) and I knew that I am not going to forget this scene.

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Old Town square

Cuba Interesting facts

Whenever you go strolling around the city of Havana or any other town on the island, try to have a few coins at hand. If you don’t have bonbons, pencils, or lipsticks on you, you can always offer a pesos or two. Have in mind that only Cubans who work in tourism and at hotels (as waiters and bartenders even though they have high degrees in history, politics, languages, etc) can get their hands on the so-called convertible pesos (it equals one US dollar).

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Havana’s bustling center

“Regular” pesos, the official currency in Cuba, were almost worthless. People got paid in Cuban pesos and could only buy vegetables on the market or rice and flour. Everything else was expensive and required convertible pesos. So, these pesos were not easy to obtain. And around 10-15 of those coins – that was a monthly salary for many. That’s another one of those “Cuba interesting facts”.

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A scene in Havana

Also, even though you might be in all-inclusive resorts, which are frequent in Cuba, and you don’t have to carry money around the hotel, still, try to bring some and tip people who serve your lunch or bring you cocktails at the beach. They are proud but will accept tips for the service.

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Strolling the Obispo Street

So, be prepared, and be aware that you are heading for a unique experience. A trip to Cuba is something you will remember for life.

If you have already visited, let’s remember this magical island and its people together. If not, let me tell you a story or two via this travelogue. It all began in Havana

Next: MY LITTLE BLUE TAXI – SIDECAR (2)

The full Cuba SERIES

Cuba travelogue

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Comments:

  • 19/08/2017

    I can totally vouch for all of this. I was in Cuba a few years ago and found the local people to be so warm and friendly, and resourceful. Their contentment really did show that happiness is possible in dire economical situations.

    reply...
  • 19/08/2017

    Cuba fascinates me a lot but I must admit that I didn’t know many of the info you offered in this article. We’ll make sure to bring with us a nicely sized bag of bonbons for the kids in the street, that’s a nice suggestion and a sweet thing to do! Cubans definitely seem welcoming and warm: we need to schedule a trip there!

    reply...
    • 19/08/2017

      I was so sorry I wasn’t told about this before my trip to Cuba, that’s why I made sure that my first post about the island was to be dedicated to few useful tips. It’s nice to know what to expect, right. 🙂

      reply...
  • 19/08/2017

    We always wanted to visit Cuba, before it changed and the cruise ships arrived (I apologise as it’s quite a selfish reason). Hopefully, the economic freedom of the people will improve but with the current US administration, it may take a little longer.

    reply...
    • 19/08/2017

      The country already went through so much, it will endure, I’m sure. 🙂

      reply...
  • Sandy N Vyjay

    21/08/2017

    The words Cuba and Havana are enough to evoke images of a lovely and exotic place with happy and friendly people. We have never been to the place but somehow can almost feel the pulsating vitality and warmth of the region. I would love to visit Cuba for the classic cars, the quaint towns and the cigars.

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  • siddharthandshruti

    22/08/2017

    Aww. The kids just want bonbons. We will remember to carry some bonbons, lipsticks and pencils as well. Cuba looks so beautiful. Love the distinct architecture. The sandy beach looks like a lovely place to relax.

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    • 22/08/2017

      The important thing is to bring some candy, other than that – just bring what you might think comes handy. But bonbons and sweets are a must! 😉 Thanks! 😀

      reply...
  • 22/08/2017

    I’ve been wanting to go to Cuba since it opened! I really must go asap. Your description really motivates me to plan a trip soon. The photos look so nice.

    reply...
    • 22/08/2017

      Stay tuned, there’ll be a lot more, the series will be up for the whole month. 😉 Hope you’ll go soon, you’d love it!

      reply...
  • 22/08/2017

    This is so much more than just mere facts and figures. I didn’t expect to find these little bits and glimpses into Cuban lives like a piece about two older gentlemen singing in exchange for pencils or a story about two necklaces. Thank you for sharing!

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    • 22/08/2017

      So glad you like the post! There’s a lot more to come. 😀 Thank you!

      reply...
  • 22/08/2017

    I think I am too late for Cuba: Americans have landed there and I have already heard some “horror stories” which have totally discouraged me to go. A pity because it looked very pretty . . . When did you go to Cuba by the way?

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    • 22/08/2017

      Few year ago. What do you mean by “horror stories”? Have to say that I didn’t hear any so far.

      reply...
  • 23/08/2017

    Cuba sounds so different and beautiful. I never knew these small plastic goodies can give Cuban children and gentlemen so much happiness and in return, you got wonderful rewards. I will remember to keep bonbons and chewing gums once traveling to Cuba.

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    • 23/08/2017

      I loved that trip to Cuba. Still talk about it from time to time. It seems that the memories stick with you for a long time. 😀 You should definitely go. 😉

      reply...
  • 23/08/2017

    This is such a good inside tips. I will make sure to pack thise small items Cubans love so much and are in need for. And those gentleman were adorable, such an emotional scene.

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    • 23/08/2017

      Oh, thanks, so nice of you. A scene hard to forget that’s for sure. 🙂

      reply...
  • 24/08/2017

    I would really like to get to Cuba before it changes too much – and we can’t hold it against a country for changing with new world influences, but it would be nice to visit while it’s still authentic, and people are still impressed by a plastic pencil! That was such a lovely story, that they wanted to trade for your necklace and your pencil – obviously because they were foreign to them. The people of Cuba sound so beautiful and welcoming and lovely. They sound like the heart and soul of why you would want to visit as opposed to any attraction.

    Thanks for the inside tips!

    reply...
    • 24/08/2017

      Exactly! There are a lot of things to see in Cuba, but encounters with people are those to remember. They deserve a change, but I’m sure that old cars and lovely facades would stay. And their vibrant spirit of course! 😀 Thanks, Meg. 🙂

      reply...
  • 24/08/2017

    Cuba is an amazing travel destination! When’s the best time of the year to go and explore it?

    reply...
    • 24/08/2017

      The weather is pleasant all year round. You might want to skip the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, since it’s the hurricane season. Other than that, just pick the time at your own convenience. 😀

      reply...

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