of possibilities to allow anyone to reach their potential and aspirations. Should your passion be to dance on the professional stage as a classically trained ballerina, you have the opportunity provided to you without the restraints of a life time of debt or the problems involved in gaining a University education. The same idea pertains to becoming a specialist in Accident and Emergency medical practice, a Lawyer, or a School Teacher. You can be what you want to be, for free. Mind you, your regular income will be around £15 per month, no matter what your occupation. And this is where the concept of Communism begins to fail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Havana

It's clear to see when the Americans left Cuba around 1951 and took their money with them, at the same time Cuba sided with Russia, the change to Communism was instigated. Once the Russian economy collapsed and their high import of Cuban goods were slashed practically overnight, the Cuban economy severely suffered.

 

Where once fancy casinos, expensive hotels and liveable apartments in Havana once stood in their opulence and grandeur, now stand in ruin with concrete cance; hotels and casinos boarded up with brick. Occasionally, we stumbled upon piles of rubble, reminders of once where buildings stood; other buildings have entire walls missing. Some foot paths are cracked and broken in places and in other places they are missing all together, except in the main streets.

 

The wealthy tourists took advantage of the free hotels, entertainment and women; however, there was an expectation these wealthy tourists would lose a million dollars at the Havana casinos. 

 

The locals are friendly, well educated and understand how the tourists are propping up their economy. Cuba’s economy is currently teetering on collapse.

 

Speaking to the locals, we met one young man (who I promised not to name him on the internet) who teaches baseball at a local secondary school. He took us to his home where we met his friend who works in the local cigar factory. Whilst waiting for another customer to finish their purchase, we discussed, in hushed tones, the government and how they take care of their people. He showed me his ration book. Our new friend outlined how rationing works; 1 bar of soap per person, per household, per month; 1 kilo of rice per month, 1 bottle of clothes washing detergent per month, a portion of meat and the list goes on. Each time they'd have to queue up at the ration store to collect their government supplied groceries. If they needed anything more, forget it. If Cubans want to remain out of prison, they don't talk about the government out loud and they definitely don't talk to tourists in public places. There is a distrust with their neighbours.

 

The coast line in Cuba is beautiful, but as they are a self-sufficient country some oil fields line a couple of beaches with a refinery nearby. There is a distinct presence of lead in the air from petrol fumes; there is no unleaded petrol in the country for their Pontiacs and Cadillacs. The lead from the petrol fumes makes your teeth tingle.

 

We watched a documentary on Cuba whilst there. A couple of things stayed with me about how the Government works; Sugar Cane Farmers are allowed to grow a number of plants, say 998. If the Farmer has 999 plants, the extra singe plant is torn out. If the Farmer is growing anything else, it is destroyed. Everything has it place and a place for everything. 

 

One woman interviewed told her story how she had been waiting for 16 years for the ground floor ceiling (first level, floor) of her home to be repaired. It was caving in, being help up with impromptu scaffolding made from discarded planks of wood. Not very safe. On the first level of her home no one could walk in certain areas, in fear of falling through. The Government hadn’t approved her repair, of her Government owned home. She was waiting for the Government approved Builder to turn up with the Government approved supplies to undertake the Government approved repairs; 16 years in waiting.

 

 

 

Travelling about Cuba from point to point

is best done by tourist bus, to put that into

perspective, air-conditioned coaches.

 

On our way to Cienfuegos, we stopped 

at a road side fuel stop with the 

obligatory food and drink stands and cigar

sellers. It was great to see how close

Australia was to us. 

 

In the middle of Cuba, as you can see by

the road sign, Australia is only 1 KM away.

 

We should've popped in for a coffee.