Hello Igor, Ann, Jeyan, as Canadians Cubans welcome us in the friendliest way possible. Also because of our Dollars - photos 5066 & 5166, the grandeur of our hotel. Our Guide - who is actually a Professor earning US $ 40 a month - showed us the real Cuba few tourists get to know.
Cuba is a welfare state - so the state takes care of all your needs including food rations. And because of the US embargo they are forced to use older American cars, though cheaper Korean and Chinese newer models have started making back door entries. But don't be fooled by the American oldie's exterior. Cubans are great DIY guys and very good Mechanics. The interior is almost all new as well as the engines and the air conditioner - all retro fitted. All the other body parts like brakes, shockers etc are modern adaptations with parts readily available from back door imports mainly China. Decay is seen everywhere - photo 4879 LHS, but the beauty of the old mansions, the mighty squares, the cheerfulness of the people are evident. Our Guide told us the Spaniards killed of all the natives and the few that were left were killed off by diseases from the invaders. You can see a native in photo 4949 with the Padre. Here is a link to a few pictures from my last visit to Cuba:- https://www.dropbox.com/sh/86j37pf1btu3f3t/AAC2bJaOJRHDnHEc0GyFGFaAa?dl=0 Thanks for looking. Regards Bipin camp: Belmont, CA -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
