Cuba is a curious country
People are open and hospitable here, and even the difficult conditions of existence do not suppress their vitality. There is an atmosphere of calm and relaxation.
If you’re considering a trip to Cuba, you must know some misunderstandings, that may be here.
1. Money To turn out your pockets and see how money you have. Dollars? You are greatly miscalculate! By exchange dollars for pesos, commission is 20 percent! So fly to Cuba better with euro. You can easily exchange them at banks without commission on the peso.
but…. . Currently, there exists two types Cuban peso - non-convertible Cuban pesos (it is intended for internal circulation) and the convertible Cuban peso - CUC (intended for payments to tourists).
2. fee time: restaurants and clubs Cubans know how to have fun! And contribute to the festive mood, in their opinion, should be elegant clothes. In some discos, restaurants and clubs in Havana, if you are wearing everyday clothes, you may not be allowed. Dress code in Cuban is fancy dress.
live music Almost in every restaurant can you listen to live music, but not always free. When you listened to «Besame Mucho» , singers can you present unexpectedly a score.
3. open houses. Many Cubans do not lock their homes, because there is nothing to steal, because they live very poorly.
4. smoking Cuba is among five countries, where smoking is most prevalent. Here smoke both: men and women. Сigar element of their culture and pride.
but…. . Be careful, some of the locals sit on an old habit with a cigar in his mouth almost round the clock, but it not burn, just it is as an accessory, so to speak. So if you see like that at the next table, it does not mean that smoking is permitted in this place.
In these "houses" made Cuban the most expensive cigars.
5. Balcony life In Old Havana the streets are lined with relatively tall buildings sporting ornate balconies. They are lovely but it’s not only their fine looks that make them interesting. Balconies in Havana seemed to have a unique culture onto themselves.
but… the With no elevators in place, even simplest of errands become a tedious chore, particularly for the elderly. But when the fruit guy or the newspaper man comes by, there is an alternative solution. Baskets are carefully lowered down to deliver money and to pick up the coveted goods. No need to go downstairs. Life continues from Havana’s wonderful balconies. It is normal!
6. dwelling: hotels and “casa particular” Hotel accommodations is very expensive in Cuba. So what exactly is a “casa particular”? Cuban residents can rent out an extra room in their home. They pay a monthly government tax and allow for regular government inspections to ensure the accommodation is up to par. I highly recommend staying at these “casas” not only because it’s economical but also to meet locals, put money directly in their hands, and simply to have a much fuller experience in Cuba.
but… Do not be surprised, if the glass of the windows of houses are sealed with tape. Very often there are hurricanes. Tape keeps the window in integrity.
but… Very often, instead of glass are shutters. They are made of wood. It's for good air circulation. But other than air can penetrate into the house different insects and reptiles. It is quite normal for Cubans.
7. locals talks Neighbors have conversations by shouting across the streets. Moreover, they speak very quickly as a native Spanish and so English.
8. cubans accost Cuban people, referring to other people, often pronounce the sounds «Psssss» . This means that they want to talk with you. It's the usual treatment such Ukrainian "hey“.
9. dances of cubans Cubans dances impress with their proximity. They are very emotional. They look like too free. At first sight they look like a bit vulgar, because the emphasis falls on the pelvis.
10. meeting with cuban friends New Cuban friends can invite you to a bar to drink coffee, mojito or rum… …but… … this does not mean that they will pay – you will pay.
11. cubans «mañana» While not scold a hundred times with the personnel, they will not do anything, even if you will constantly leave tips. They say «mañana» and it means «tomorrow» . But Cuban tomorrow can last a very long time. Most often it means «never» . These people are not in a hurry.
But the waterfront landscape is something, that always impresses positively…
