Yinkx and bobmichaels your comments are very much appreciated.
Yinkx - our plan is to have Habana and Varadero booked and then decide the other cities there. Again, my main concern is the condition of the roads. Do you have any recommendation for the casas? Any others you know were not affected by Irma?
Bob - we look more like the second type for sure! I know 10 days will only give us a superficial idea of the culture there so I'll put Cienfuegos in the list :)
Bob - we look more like the second type for sure! I know 10 days will only give us a superficial idea of the culture there so I'll put Cienfuegos in the list :)
If so, be sure to allow enough time in every place you go to get off the popular trail and spend some time walking around local neighborhoods or sitting in a park meeting everyday Cuban people and getting some ideas of their lives.
Too many tourists seem to visit 5 cities, see 173 statues and monuments, visit 5 museums, and eat in 10 tourist restaurants. Yet they never actually meet a real Cuban, see anything of their homes other than quickly from the street, and leave having no idea what Cuban life and culture is all about.
Bob.... Although i agree, I find most of the Cubans that want to meet you, as opposed you want to meet them, are, at the end of the day, going to hustle you, as subtle as it may be.
Not necessarily a bad thing. I've had very interesting conversations in Havana with very well educated and opinionated Cubans, including some official government journalists.... All they wanted was to talk and for me to pay for the beer... In these cases, I came out ahead, imo..
In some cases they spoke perfect English, in other cases we spoke Spanish.
I guess what i am trying to say is, I am not one to suggest meet every Cuban that wants to talk to you.. In most cases, their goal is to squeeze something out of you. They will put up with your questions, explain how tough life is but the goal is to get you to give them something.
Maybe I am jaded.... Spent a lot of time in Cuba.... But I don't give the time of day to a Cuban that approaches me.
With that said... I have a few real friends that have, over the years, not given me reason to doubt them.... Remember i am jaded......lol
I do not recommend.... Mix with the people if you think you're going to meet Cubans that like you for what you are and not what you can bring to them.
You are a yuma... Nothing will ever change that.
Bob.... Although i agree, I find most of the Cubans that want to meet you, as opposed you want to meet them, are, at the end of the day, going to hustle you, as subtle as it may be.
...................
Maybe I am jaded.... Spent a lot of time in Cuba.... But I don't give the time of day to a Cuban that approaches me.
With that said... I have a few real friends that have, over the years, not given me reason to doubt them.... Remember i am jaded......lol
I do not recommend.... Mix with the people if you think you're going to meet Cubans that like you for what you are and not what you can bring to them.
You are a yuma... Nothing will ever change that.
I would agree with you when talking about Cubans one meets on a street with tourists. Except I am talking about people you meet when in their neighborhood. Certainly not the one that approach you. I have had little hassle that way. Now I have no problems with politely just saying "no".
Of course we must always remember that there are the touristic parts of Havana and then there is the rest of the country. Normally as different as night and day.
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