Q. What are the 3 most frequently asked questions by Cubans in Cuba?

A.(1) What's this line for? (2) Who's last? ("Ultimo?") and (3) Is this line for pesos or dollars?

1. Cubans are used to waiting in line. It probably accounts for their incredible patience. You will see Cubans standing in line just about everywhere you go. Whether it's to catch a bus, to buy pizza or ice cream, or to change money, there is always a line to wait in.

2. When joining a line, a Cuban will always ask, "Ultimo?", Who's last? Cubans don't always line up one behind each other (especially when the wait might be long) so this question is asked to find out who is last in line. When the line begins to move everyone knows where they stand by the person in front of them.

3. Since there are two currencies in Cuba, pesos and dollars, Cubans joining a line want to know if what is for sale is in terms of pesos or dollars. The local currency is the peso, but foreigners rarely come into contact with it as the U.S. dollar is the standard currency in Cuba (the hated symbol of Yankee colonialism has been legal tender in Cuba since 1993). The official rate of exchange is 20:1. Alongside the U.S. dollar the Cuban government issues currency in convertible pesos which are valued at 1:1 with the dollar but have no value outside the country. These notes are orange in color and easily distinguishable.

Q. How much do you tip in Cuba?

A. Less than elsewhere in the world - approximately 5%.

Q. How much are taxis from the airport to the center of Havana?

A. A trip takes 35/40 minutes from the airport to the center of Havana and should cost no more than $15 by taxi. You must agree on a price before starting your journey. Taxis cost anywhere from 35 cents/km to 75 cents/km. Try to catch a "Panataxi" whenever possible - they are the cheapest. "Turistaxi" is the most expensive.

Q. If Fidel Castro were to die tomorrow, who would succeed him?

A. Raul Castro, the Senior Vice President of the Council of State would become the President. He would become the new President because he holds the position of Senior Vice President, and not because he is Fidel Castro's younger brother. In a secret ballot vote taken by the deputies of the National Assembly on February 24th, 1998, Raul Castro received 100% of the votes for the Senior Vice Presidency of the Council of State.

Q. How do I cancel my credit cards in Cuba if they are lost or stolen?

A. A company called "FINCIMEX", located in the basement of the Habana Libre Hotel, on 23rd & L Streets, Vedado, will call and cancel your cards for you, free of charge. This office will also help you if you have a problem with any of your credit cards, even those cards originating from the USA. Their phone number is 33-44-66, and fax# 33-40-01.

Q. Where do I go in Havana to listen to live, Cuban music?

A.Music is everywhere in Cuba. A favorite among both Cubans and tourists is "La Lluvia de Oro" in Old Havana. It is a large bar, has no cover charge, and is located on the corner of Habana & Obispo Streets. You will find a different, live salsa band playing there everyday.

Q. Can you use local drivers to taxi you around Cuba?

A.Local taxis are licensed only to carry Cubans, but most of them will take you to your destination for half the price of a regular taxi. You must negotiate a price with the driver before getting in. The risk is borne entirely by them. However, if you are caught by the police, you might have to accompany the driver to the police station. You will be kept waiting there as an inconvenience, but nothing else will happen to you. Local taxis can be found in Central Park, near the Hotel Plaza and Hotel Parque Central.

Q. How far is the nearest beach from Havana?

A.20 km. east of Havana, a half-hour drive from the city, is a beach called Santa Maria. Local taxis will take you there for $10 (regular taxis for $20).

Q. Why are there police on almost every corner?

A.The police are there to keep the streets safe, prevention being better than cure. They are not only in tourist areas but also in the community. Cuba is probably the safest place in the world, largely due to a police presence on the street. You can safely walk the streets at any hour of the day or night. But still be careful, exceptions prove the rule.

Q. Is Fidel Castro beloved, or secretly despised by the Cuban people?

A.Fidel Castro will go down in history as the greatest leader of the 20th century. He is loved and admired by the Cuban people because he is a true humanist, dedicated to the cause of Cuban independence. He is as much interested today in the total emancipation of his country as he ever was during the revolutionary struggle of the 1950's.

Q. Can I use my cellular phone in Cuba?

A.Cuba is still on an analog communications system. Digital cellular phones do not work there.

Q. There are lots of Cubans on the street peddling their services as guides. Should I choose one?

A.By all means, but it will end up costing you! Sreet guides will not only expect a tip for their services, but will also take you to places where they will receive a commission for bringing you. You will be paying for that commission through higher prices. At the same time, you will probably feel obliged to buy them drink and food, and may find it difficult to get rid of them afterwards! There are many Cubans who can show you the real Cuba other than the ones trying to hustle your business on the street. Use your common sense and instinct when choosing one, and bear in mind that using unauthorized guides in Cuba is illegal because the government does not condone its people illicitly enriching themselves.

Q. What is a "paladar"?

A.In 1994, Cubans were permitted to indulge in self-enterprise. They were allowed to convert part of their home into a small restaurant (no more than 12 seats) and serve Cuban home cooking. Since then, many of them have become commercialized and expensive. Look for the paladars that are in residential areas rather than tourist areas. Meals should be no more than $5 to $10 per person. "Amistad de Lanzarote" located on Amistad #211, esq/ Neptuno & San Miguel, Central Havana, tel.# 63-61-72 is highly recommended. It is a simple paladar only three blocks from Hotel Inglaterra, Hotel Plaza, and Hotel Parque Central. For movie buffs, "La Guarida" at Concordia #418, Central Havana, where the Oscar-nominated movie "Strawberry & Chocolate" was filmed, is worth a visit if only to look at the celebrity photo wall of movie stars like Jack Nicholson, Matt Dillon, and Danny Glover. 

Q. Who or what is a "jinetera/jinetero"? 

A."jinetera" is a prostitute. The word comes from the verb "jinetear" which means to break-in horses. The sexual connotation should be obvious. A male hustler on the street who found prostitutes for tourists was called a "jinetero". The term then became used loosely to describe all men who hustle on the street for a living, selling cigars, finding "casa particulares" (private houses or rooms for rent), or paladars.

Q. How do Cubans survive on a salary of less than $10 a month?

A.Cubans are almost totally subsidized by the State. They get free education, free health care, food rations every month, and gas, electricity, and transportation at neglible cost. Almost all Cubans now work for dollars, on the side, to supplement their wages from the State.

Q. Is unemployment high in Cuba?

A.Unemployment is probably higher than 25%, due largely to the blockade which prevents raw materials from reaching the island which in turn prevents the development of industry.

Q. How did Cuba manage to survive the collapse of its patron, the Soviet Union?

A.When the Soviet Union collapsed, 85% of Cuba's trade disappeared overnight, along with a $6 billion annual subsidy. When Cuba was unable to find financial credits any where else, the government implemented a "periodo especial" a (special period) in October 1990, and concentrated its resources and efforts on restricting consumption levels. Buses almost disappeared and people had to wait sometimes 3 to 5 hours for them to arrive. Black-outs ("apagones") lasted for hours on end. They occurred so frequently that Cubans called the times when there was light, "alumbrones" (brief periods of illumination). There was almost a total absence of food, clothing, footwear, and personal hygiene products. The Cuban standard of living decreased by 34%. The gradual recovery, due largely to the development of the tourist industry, started in 1995 with a 2.5% growth, and continued the following year with a 5% growth. It was a victory for the Cuban people because they had overcome the special period without having to bend their socialistic ideals.

Q. When is the coolest time of the year in Cuba?

A.From November thru March the temperature can drop to the low 20's. Unlike most other Caribbean islands, the temperature in Cuba can get quite chilly in the winter. Long sleeve shirts and light jackets are necessary in the evenings.

Q. Which cities or areas of Cuba, other than Havana, are worth visiting on your first trip to Cuba?

A.Out West, two hours from Havana, in the Vinales region, you will find the most scenic countryside in Cuba. Trinidad, a 5 hour drive from Havana, is also a must see. The entire city, resplendent with museums, churches, fortresses, and other places of interest, has been designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. In Santiago, a 16 hour drive from Havana, you will find narrow, cobblestone streets, and houses with solid wooden doors and iron latticeworked balconies. Numerous resistances by the "ejercito rebelde", the (rebel army), occurred in this "Heroic City".

Q. How do the classic American cars of the 1940's and 1950's still manage to run in Cuba after all these years?

A.Under their hoods, their engines comprise of a hodge-podge collection of parts from all types and makes of cars, modified and rebuilt to fit. Many of the better American classics still have original parts but these days spare parts are becoming scarcer and scarcer (especially tires). Mint-conditioned Ford Chevrolets, Dodge Studebakers, Buick Oldsmobiles, and others, with drivers, are available on the streets for hire for approximately $16 per hour (or 20 kms). Or you can reserve one by calling "Gran Car" tel.# 33-56-47.

Q. Where do I change my travelers checks or get cash on my credit cards?

A.Travelers checks can be cashed in banks or in Casa de Cambios (CADECAS), and in some, but not all, hotels. Banks charge the least commission. Casa de Cambios were first established in 1995 to buy and sell currency, and to stop Cubans illegally dealing with currency exchange on the streets. State control over the currency reduced, almost overnight, the exchange rate. The rate went from 130-150 to 25-30 pesos to the dollar. Because Cuba prefers to deal in cash, you cannot use credit cards as freely as you can elsewhere in the world. The problem with Casa de Cambios are that there is always a line outside of them: Cubans waiting to exchange dollars for pesos which they re-sell outside of the capital for 2 pesos more on the dollar.

Q. Which are the most popular stores in Cuba?

A.Cubans love to window shop, and love the idea that there is now something to buy inside. The most popular are shoe stores.

If you want to know if someone has access to dollars, look at their shoes.

Q. Why are Cubans prohibited to go into hotels and hotel rooms?

A.The concern is one of security, both for the tourist and the hotel owner. It is said that Cuba is "a nation of thieves," a sad but true statement. Cubans are not even permitted to enter a hotel without good reason, a left-over restriction from the times (1993-1995) when they were prohibited from even talking to foreigners: a feeble attempt by the government to limit the exposure of their people to decadent capitalists. In these earlier days, Cubans were sometimes jailed for up to 8 months for breaking this law. Officially, even now, Cubans are not allowed to approach foreigners first, particularly in the street.

Q. What is crime like in Cuba?

A.The criminal rate is extremely low in Cuba. A high percentage of crimes committed are robberies against private property. Robberies amount to 70% of all crimes committed in Cuba, 60% of which are against property. Breaking and entering occurs in 10% of all cases and violence is used in less than 2%. 90% of murder cases stem from personal problems between the murderer and the victim, at a time when either one or both were intoxicated. Less than 10% was due to an attempt for financial gain. Drug cases, mostly smoking marijuana and using pharmaceuticals, is still relatively low.

Q. Is Cuban ballet as good as it's made out to be?

A.The legendary Alicia Alonso and her husband Fernando founded the Cuba Ballet Company in 1948. After the Revolution, it was renamed the "National Ballet of Cuba". With the help of the great Russian dancers, the troupe received a deserved reputation for producing top-notch dancers of world repute. The present troupe usually performs at the Gran Teatro, a beautiful baroque building next to the Hotel Inglaterra. Tickets cost approximately $5-$10, and performances are usually Thursdays thru Saturday at 8:30 pm, and Sunday at 5pm. The theater is small enough to permit easy viewing of the stage from where ever you sit.

Q. Is there democracy in Cuba?

A.In Cuba, sovereignty resides in the people. Over 97% of the people eligible to vote, vote in an electoral system which serves to nominate and then elect those best suited to fulfil their position. There are 3 Assemblies: the Municipal Assembly, the Provincial Assembly, and the National Assembly. In the Municipal Assembly, neighbors nominate their candidates who are finally selected by secret ballot vote by the entire constituency. The fact that candidates are not nominated by the Communist Party but by the people themselves, itself marks the democratic nature of the process. In the same way, the election of the members for the Provincial and National Assemblies are selected by secret ballot vote by the people directly. The last electoral process in Cuba began in June 1997 and finished on Feb. 24th, 1998. The previous election took place 5 years earlier, 1992/1993. The election process has two phases: it consists of (1) electing the delegates for the Municipal Assembly, and (2) electing the deputies to the Provincial and National Assemblies. The Cuban Constitution (discussed and created through numerous public meetings and adopted by secret ballot in a referendum in 1976) states, in the First Article of the Electoral System, Article 131, that: "All citizens with the legal capacity to do so, have the right to take part in the leadership of the State, directly or through their elected representatives to the bodies of People Power, and to participate for this purpose and as prescribed by law in the periodic elections and people's referendums through free, equal, and secret vote." In Cuba, you will find grass-roots democracy never seen anywhere else in the world, where the people themselves nominate their candidates for election. Although there is only one person running for one seat, that candidate must get more than 50% of a secret ballot vote to get elected, or another candidate is nominated for selection. Even Fidel Castro has to get 50% of a secret ballot vote to represent the electorate. Every candidate nominated faces the electorate on his/her own merit. The Communist Party is forbidden by law to play any role in the elections. The only publicity allowed candidates is a posted biography with a photograph of the candidate. They are not allowed to spend money on furthering their chances for selection. Neither are State organizations permitted to issue statements favoring any candidate.

Q. What is the National Assembly?

A.The National Assembly is the body with the highest power in the State, with constituent and legislative authority. Since it has 601 deputies it holds only 2 meetings a year. In its very first meeting it elects 31 of its members to act in its place. This group, called the "Council of State," meets regularly to make changes in the law, to consider domestic and foreign policy, to approve plans for economic and social development of the Nation. At present, the President of the National Assembly is Ricardo Alarcon, and the President of the Council of State is Fidel Castro. Both of these positions were voted by secret ballot by all the deputies of the National Assembly.

Q. Where is there a cheap place to eat in Havana?

A.With the exception of "paladars", the best, and cheapest restaurant to eat in Havana is a place called, believe it or not, "Hanoi" It is a quaint blue and yellow, one-story house (which would look at home any where in Switzerland) located in Old Havana, on the corner of Brazil and Bernaza Streets. Entrees are only $2-$3; beers 85 cents, and mojitos (the famous Cuban drink, made out of white Cuban rum, sugar, lemon, club soda, and crushed mint leaves) only $1. It has different rooms for coziness, and live Cuban music for atmosphere. It is only 4 or 5 blocks from the famous Floridita restaurant (to be avoided at all costs!) and is the best kept secret in Havana.

Q. Where can I hire a bicycle?

A.There are no official places where bikes are rented in Cuba. The alternative is to rent a bike that belongs to a Cuban. Ask anyone in the street who is riding one. The Russian or Chinese bikes are gearless, made of iron and therefore heavy. Their brakes are not usually too good and punctures are common. $5 a day is a reasonable price to pay someone. Be careful of the pot-holes!

Q. Is it safe to walk the streets in Cuba?

A.Cuba is probably the safest place in the world to walk the streets, but there are a few desperadoes around who snatch chains and handbags and then run off.

Q. Why does it take so long to pass through immigration on your arrival in Havana?

A.The Cuban immigration officials have to be painstakingly careful and diligent. They are trained to be thorough, to thwart counter-revolutionaries financed by Cuban Americans in the USA, bent on overthrowing the Cuban government. Only two years ago, a Salvadoran was paid to plant bombs in some of the hotels in and around Havana. Although he was caught, some of the bombs did explode, killing tourists, and hurting tourism.

Q. There is a model of Havana that catches the full splendor of the Cuban capital at a glance. Where is it?

A.The scaled-down model of Havana called the "maqueta", is located in a building on 28th street between First and Third Avenues in Miramar. Visiting hours are from 10am to 6pm Tuesday thru Saturday. On entering the room, you feel like Gulliver in the land of the Lilliputians, because right there is the colossal city in miniature. The maqueta has a surface area of 140 square meters and is the second largest model in the world after the one of New York. The minutest details have been reproduced on a scale of 1/1000. The tiny buildings are colored differently depending on their construction dates. Those erected between the 16th and 19th centuries are colored brown, while those put up in the 20th century are colored ochre. The rest are ivory in color.

Q. Is Fidel Castro a dictator?

A.Anti-Cuban supporters would have you believe that Fidel Castro is running the country when in actual fact it is the Council of State, of which he is the elected President, that is providing leadership. On Feb. 24th, 1998, Fidel Castro was elected President of the Council of State (all 601 deputies of the National Assembly, by secret ballot vote, chose him to be the President.

Q. Do the Cuban people still get rations every month?

A.Every Cuban family has a "Libreta de Alimiento". With this libreta, a family can get from their locally designated "bodega", at extremely low prices, rice, beans, sugar, coffee, eggs, chicken, oil,milk, etc. every month. Additionally, the family can get one roll of bread per person daily from their locally designated "panaderia". However, the amounts are barely enough to keep hunger in abeyance, and Cubans have to find ways of buying food from farmers markets where prices are comparatively more expensive: 5 pesos for a lb. of rice; 8 pesos a lb. of beans; 5 pesos for a bunch of onions; 3 pesos a lb. of cucumbers. Currently a U.S. dollar would buy 20 pesos. From time to time, "ferias", open air street markets, appear where Cubans can buy food and produce at ration book prices. Occasionally, trucks laden with produce from co-operative farms that supply the government with food will appear on a street corner and sell their produce at subsidized prices.

Q. Do most Cubans own their homes or live in rented accommodations?

A.The majority own their homes. During the urban reforms in the early sixties, those Cubans paying rent to landlords who had fled to Miami, continued to pay the same rent to the State for a period of 5 to 10 years after which time the house or apartment became theirs. Servants who lived in the houses of the rich paid rent to the State and became owners of those homes after a period of years. New homes were bought with a government mortgage for approximately $5,000 (with a 2% to 4% interest rate payable over 20-30 years, paid off at no more than 10% of the chief breadwinner's income).

Q. What do Cubans pay monthly for their utilities?

A.Gas bills average 2-4 pesos (10-20 cents) a month; electricity 5-7 pesos (25-35 cents) a month; telephone 6-8 pesos (30-40 cents) a month, the first 300 minutes being free. As you can see, all these services are subsidized by the State.

Q. What is a "java" bag?

A."Java" is the Cuban word for bag. Because of the shortage and high cost of personal hygiene articles, the State provides all employees in the public service sector with a free bag of toiletries every month. This bag usually contains deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, razors, etc.

Q. What is the "bolsa de empleo"?

A.If you are working for a government agency and get laid off, your name goes into the "bolsa de empleo" - literally a bag which holds the names of other Cubans also looking for re- employment by the government. "Bolsa" is another word in Spanish for bag. If you don't want to wait years for another job, you can bribe an official to pull your name out of the bag for $400 to $500.

Q. How much does a beer cost in Cuba?

A.If you buy beer (the most popular beer in Cuba is called "cristal") in a hotel or restaurant, you can expect to pay $1.50 or $2.00 for it. There are numerous bars and eateries where you pay only 85 cents for the same beer. Look to see where there are Cubans drinking beer and that's where you'll find the cheaper variety on sale. Always ask the waiter how much the beer is before ordering. Many places will charge you hotel prices just because you are a tourist.

Q. How much should I tip the help in the hotel?

A.As little as possible. When tipping, remember that people working in the tourist industry are very lucky, especially those who come into contact with tourists and therefore make a lot of money from tips. Cubans you meet in the street are usually jobless and more in need of your help.

Q. Is it expensive to make an international phone call from Cuba?

A.International calls from a hotel in Cuba will cost $22/$23 for 3 minutes. The best way to make an international call is to buy a prepaid ETECSA (the name of Cuba's telephone company) phone card for $10 or $20, and use a public phone. You can buy the phone card in any souvenir store or information office. These stores are not open at night so buy your cards during the day time. You have to dial 119 before the country code and the number of the party you wish to call.

Q. Everyday, in Parque Central (Central Park), groups of men argue volubly among each other. What do they argue about?

A.They are heatedly discussing sport, usually baseball or boxing. This also occurs everyday in Santiago de Cuba in the park at Plaza Marte.

Q. Is there much prostitution in Cuba?

A.By early 1998, Cuban women in lurid Lycra and 6" platform heels could be seen everywhere prostituting themselves. Tagging along behind, at a discreet distance, were their pimps or "chulos" (often their husband or boyfriend). By mid-year, other areas of crime had been attracted into the prostitution business and had resulted in a rash of assaults against foreigners both on and off the street. In November 1998, the State stepped in and took measures to stamp it out. Fidel Castro spoke to the Nation on television warning all prostitutes and chulos of long jail terms if their activities persisted (4 years for the prostitute and 20 years for the pimp). Prostitution diminished considerably and was forced underground almost overnight as the police arrested hundreds who thought that they could still get away with it.

Q. Why do the police harass young, male Cubans on the street?

A.The police are on the street to prevent crime, not to catch people after they have committed one. Young men, usually between the ages of 15 and 22 years (an age group statistically proven world-wide to be most likely to be involved in crime) are stopped at random and their "carnets", photo ID's, checked. Since all the police have CB radios, they can quickly check with the computer at the police station to see if anyone behaving suspiciously has a criminal record. Unfortunately, behaving suspiciously in Cuba is open to interpretation by individual policemen and often a youth is detained at a police station for a couple of hours for no good reason and then let go. Unfair as it may seem, the good of the majority, at present, is achieved through the harassment of a minority.

Q. Are Cubans allowed to travel freely within the island?

A.There are over 11 million inhabitants on the island, approximately 3 million of whom live in Havana where there is the most opportunity for employment. If Cubans were allowed to travel at will, most of them would settle in the capital. As it is, many people come to Havana illegally and stay as long as they can before having to return to their own "pueblos". For this reason, travel is restricted within Cuba.

Q. Why is it so difficult for Cubans to leave the country?

A.Cubans, like most other Third World inhabitants, see the First World as their main emigration destination. However, the First World confers less and less visas for Third World emigres, thus stimulating illegal exits. Cubans, like all other Third Worlders, see First World countries as places where people leave food on the side of their plates; where every house has running water; where there is an abundance of money and everyone lives happily ever after. The Cuban government, in an effort to protect their citizens from themselves, has made it difficult for any Cuban to just pack up and leave the island. There is a process in place for those Cubans who wish to leave Cuba. It begins with an invitation from someone in another country who is willing to sponsor the Cuban. The Embassies of both countries are involved and the sponsoring party must be able to support and take care of that Cuban while he/she is away from Cuba. The process takes time and money, approximately 3 to 4 months and $500.

Q. Is it worth going to the restaurants "La Bodeguita del Medio" and "El Floridita" in Havana?

A.Despite the fact that the World Restaurants Association granted them both a place in the best 50 restaurants in the world, both are tourist traps, expensive, and not worth the money. They are worth a look-see but no more.

Q. What's the best and cheapest way of taking a city tour around Havana?

A.Catch a tour bus called "VAIVEN" and go around the city yourself. For only $4, you can get on and off the bus with the same ticket. The "Vaiven" buses run every 55 minutes, from 9am to 10 pm, so you have the whole day to roam the capital. The buses stop at the following places always in the same order: 1. The Palacio de las Convenciones. 2. 3rd Avenue & 70th Street. 3. Nacional Acuarium. 4. Maqueta de la Havana. 5. Hotels Melia Cohiba & Riviera. 6. Cementerio de Colon. 7. Plaza de la Revolucion. 8. Coppelia. 9. Pabellon Cuba. 10. Galiano. 11. Parque Central. 12. Museo de la Revolucion. 13. Casco Historico de la Havana. 14. Morro- Cabana. 15. Palacio de las Bellas Artes. 16. Parque Central. 17. Hotel Deauville. 18. La Rampa. 19. Hotels Melia Cohiba & Riviera. 20. Maqueta de la Havana. 21. Acuarium Nacional. 22. 3rd Avenue & 70th Street. 23. Palacio de la Convenciones.

"Bicitaxis", three wheel bicycle taxis, offer a scenic way of getting around town also. A twenty minute ride for two passengers will cost about $3.

Q. Is English spoken widely?

A.English is not spoken widely, but more and more Cubans are mastering the language daily. An English/Spanish phrase book would be handy to carry around.

Q. Is it true that you can buy coca-cola in Cuba despite the American embargo?

A.There is an indirect U.S. business presence in Cuba despite the 38 year old embargo. Cuba buys about $10 million worth of coca-cola every year from the Atlanta based company. It is obtained from Mexico where it is bottled, independent of the soft drink giant's home base in the USA. Despite the embargo, Americans are trading with Cuba. American corporations go through foreign partners or purchase stakes in foreign companies to trade. In 1994, the U.S. Treasury Dept. permitted American companies to profit from the Cuban holdings of their partners. For instance, in 1997, a subsidiary of Bank America Corp. bought a 26% interest in Leisure Canada, a Vancouver- based resort developer. The California-based DHL Worldwide ships packages to Cuba through its Belgium office. In 1998, Citibank in New York bought Banco Confia, a commercial bank in Mexico, to handle credit-card transactions in Cuba. American Airlines is in partnership with British Airways and Iberia both of whom make regular flights to Cuba.

Q. Will Americans ever totally lift the embargo?

A.The embargo stands as the last vestige of the Cold War. It was put in place by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. It survives largely through the political influence of the vocal Cuban exiles in Miami. The USA trades with Vietnam, Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea, but not with Cuba. The Clinton Administration, in January 1999, eased the embargo with 49 pages of new rules. The adjustments benefited Cuba. Western Union was permitted to resume service for the first time in 38 years, and Americans can now send money to their relatives in Cuba. Also, a charter air service to Havana is now permitted to fly out of Miami and New York, and Los Angeles by the spring of 2,000. Approximately 25,000 Americans travel to Cuba illegally every year, flying through other countries. In 1999, 130,000 Americans visited Cuba legally with a license from the U.S. Treasury Dept.

Q. Which countries are presently investing in Cuba?

A.According to the US-Cuba Trade & Economic Council in New York, investment dollars between 1990-1999 in Cuba were as follows: Canada $600 million; Mexico $450 million; Italy $387 million; Spain $100 million; UK $50 million; France $50 million; Netherlands $40 million; Chile $30 million; Brazil $20 million; Portugal $10 million.

Q. Is it worthwhile renting a car in Cuba?

A.The road network in Cuba is good, dominated by an arterial motorway running from Pinar del Rio to Santiago de Cuba. There are also highways in the mountains, and in towns there are many wide boulevards. The smallest car, which will only comfortably carry two people with luggage, will cost about $75 a day, including gasoline (expensive) and insurance (expensive). Add another $10-plus for larger cars. There are not enough rental cars in Cuba so you must make timely reservations for them in advance before arriving in Cuba. It is a little difficult driving around the city of Havana (you can never turn left - a strange phenomenon for a leftist country!), but the rest of the island is quite easy. There are sufficient "Cupet" gasoline stations (look for the circular, green, white and red sign), but you must make sure that you keep your tank always topped up. When driving into a gas station, look for the pump that says 'especial'. The 'regular' pump is for Cubans only, and 30 cents cheaper. You will see lots of Cubans waiting for rides. Cubans are among the friendliest you'll ever find, so don't be surprised if someone you give a ride to invites you into their home for a meal or coffee, or is willing to show you around their town. Driving around Cuba is an unimaginable joy, but be careful where you park, and don't leave anything in the car. There will always be someone around who will offer to watch your car. It is well worth the dollar you pay for this service. If, God forbid, you have an accident, or someone breaks into your car, you must report the incident to the local police and get a report. This unfortunately takes time and a lot of patience, but without a report your insurance won't kick in. You do not get a map when you rent a car. Maps are for sale in most souvenir stores. Cuba is not well sign-posted and you will often need to stop and ask for directions.

Q. What will happen if I get caught with boxes of cigars I bought on the street?

A.You are allowed to take out of Cuba 2 boxes of cigars without receipts, sometimes more depending on the official inspecting baggage. The worst that can happen is that you lose the cigars, that's all. Custom officials are empowered to confiscate cigars bought on the street, but seldom do. Most of the cigars sold on the street are genuine, but some are not. Cigars sold on the street are invariably cigars that have been stolen from the factories and packaged at home. Many are old and full of worms. You will not find premium cigars on the street. For good Cuban cigars you must go to cigar stores where you will find top-of-the-line cigars, or find someone who knows where he can get them on the black market for half the price.

Q. Which are the most popular Cuban cigars?

A.Monte Cristo #2; Cohiba Esplendido; Romeo & Julieta Churchills.

Q. Cubans seem happy and content despite their hardships. Why is that?

There is a contentment in suffering when it is shared by most and is borne of struggle and survival. Poverty brings in its wake a focus not felt by people who are well off. The poor have fewer problems because they have fewer choices: life is reduced to the simplest of pleasures, the purest of values (values other people overlook or take for granted). These include listening to people because you have the time; talking to people because you have a desire to communicate; caring for others because you know what it feels like to be uncared for; helping someone in trouble because you know you should. In Cuba there is still an extended family; television doesn't rule; conversation is still an art form; and people are still involved in each others' lives. Cubans are an educated people who have the ability to accept all things as they are. They want for nothing except more of what they don't have. They enjoy a simple meal, a conversation with a friend, an intimate time with a loved one sitting on the wall of the malecon. They are not distracted by the many things First Worlders are so dominated by. They don't have mortgages like millstones around their necks; they don't live on credit; they don't suffer the emotional stresses of a life filled with fear. Cubans enjoy the present without fearing the past, ever hopeful of a better future.

Q. What number do you dial in Cuba for directory inquiries?

A.Dial 113. Operators do nor speak English.

Q. Do Cubans hate Americans?

A.Cubans do not bear grudges. If you engage them in conversation about the embargo, they will simply state that Americans and the embargo are wrong. Most Cubans are aware that it is the Cuban Americans living in Florida, and not all Americans, that have it in for them. In fact, Cubans like Americans because they are known to be big tippers.

Q. Is there much corruption in Cuba?

A.There is not a lot of corruption in the government. Representatives have a high respect for their offices and a responsibility to their electorate. In the business sector there is a lot of corruption, particularly among middle- managers, managers, and supervisors. Cuba has insufficient financial systems in place to keep stealing in check, always a problem when you have a cash business, and Cuba must have hard money (cash) to buy what it needs on the international markets.

Q. Do Cubans watch a lot of television?

A.Television does not rule the lives of Cubans. There are only two channels in Cuba: Cubavision on channel 6, and Tele Rebelde on channel 2. During the week, television is only available between 6pm and midnight; Saturdays from 12 midday to 2am, and Sundays from 10am to midnight. There are two movies on Saturday from 10pm to 2am, and one on Sunday at 10pm. Soap operas, imported from Brazil and Columbia, attract a large viewing audience and are very popular among Cubans.

Q. Are CDR's (Committees for the Defense of the Revolution) part of a spy network?

A.In 1960, Committees for the Defense of the Revolution were established to make sure that counter-revolutionaries were flushed out of the community. From 1960-1965 there were lots of counter-revolutionaries still living in Cuba, killing people, planting bombs, destroying harvests, burning down buildings, etc. CDRs were formed to find out, with the help of informants, who and where these people were. After 1965 they continued as community based organizations meeting the needs of the locals. There is a CDR on almost every other block. They are slowly shedding the stigma of the 1960's when their main function was to spy on the community.

Q. Is Cuba's younger generation dissatisfied with the present situation in Cuba today?

A.Like youth everywhere in the world, the young tend to forget all too easily what their elders went through to achieve their present day freedoms. Of course the youth in Cuba envy the lifestyles they see portrayed in movies. Naturally they want to do as they please. But they live in a socialistic country which places the collective good of the people before personal initiatives and individuality. To achieve this, people have to give up some personal freedoms for a measure of regulation and control. This is not always easy for young people to do.

Q. Is there a counter-revolutionary movement in Cuba today?

A.Yes, there is a counter-revolutionary movement in Cuba. It is funded by the National Foundation of Cuban Americans in Miami. However, one of the most noteworthy observations to come out of the 1997/98 elections was the failure of the counter- revolutionaries in Cuba to increase their numbers. Counter- revolutionaries register their opposition to the political system in Cuba by casting a blank vote, or a spoiled vote at election time. In the last election, there was a significant decline in the protest vote, this despite the enormous pressure put on the electorate, via Radio Marti, to deposit blank or spoiled votes. In the National Assembly elections, the number of valid votes increased from 92.97% in 1993, to 94.98% in 1998. While the percentage of blank votes rose only slightly from 3.04% in 1993, to 3.36% in 1998, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of spoiled votes, from 3.99% in 1993, to 1.66% in 1998. The results of the 1998 election were even more striking in the city of Havana where one would expect more opposition. The percentage of spoiled votes declined by one third, from 10.34% in 1993, to 3.42% in 1998. In 1998, there were 4.15% blank votes in the capital city, thereby making the total protest vote in Havana 7.57% (3.42%+4.15%). Nationally, the protest vote in 1998 was only 5.02%.

Q. Of those eligible to vote in Cuba, what percentage do?

A.In the election of the National Assembly in 1998 in Havana, 97% of the eligible voters registered a vote, the lowest voter turnout on the island. This is quite significant when compared to the rest of the world where voter turnout is barely 50%.

Q. Do you see graffiti or any anti-government protest words scribbled on walls in Cuba?

A.None, and that's not because the words are erased as soon as they are written!

Q. What is a camel bus?

A.The cheapest form of bus transportation in Havana (10 centavos or a half cent) is by a "cameo", which translated means camel. Because of the lack of sufficient transportation in Havana, and the numbers of Cubans desirous of it, two buses were made into one and powered by a cab. These "articulated" buses, joined in the middle, look like camels with two humps. The buses, usually crammed full of people, further resemble their counterparts, in so far as they are like beasts of burden carrying heavy loads.

Q. What is SERVIMED?

A.SERVIMED is an organization that promotes health tourism in Cuba, and has 42 health centers dotted around the island. Many people from all over the world come to SERVIMED for treatment of their ailments. Medical doctors with scientific expertise can be found in all of their health centers. An international confidence in Cuban medicine makes SERVIMED and health tourism in Cuba popular around the world.

Q. How are gays treated in Cuba?

A.Because Cubans are an educated people, discrimination against any persuasion is intolerable. Even "pingeros", boys who go with gay tourists for money, are accepted. They openly congregate in front of the "Yara" cinema (La Rampa), or at the "Fiat Cafeteria" (on the malecon) every night looking for male customers. Unlike most other places in the world, it is hard to label people's sexual proclivities in Cuba.

Q. How are HIV and AIDS patients treated in Cuba?

A.Reports would have you believe that HIV/Aids patients in Cuba are quarantined in asylums against their will. This is not true. Patients go to sanatorias (the English translation of sanatorium for sanatoria is inaccurate here) first and foremost to receive information and education about how to deal with their ailment and then treatment. It is true that there is some obligation on the part of the patient to do this, and is done to reduce the spreading of the disease. At the same time, the sanatoria offers the patient the best environment for therapy, nutrition, and medication. Patients are allowed to go out week-ends and to leave permanently after 3 months. At the Havana Tropical Medicine Institute patients get the best treatment available from psychologists, psychiatrists, epidemiologists, internal medicine specialists, social workers, and nurses. The disease, unfortunately, is spreading like wild-fire in all Third World countries, in the heterosexual community mostly, with Cuba being no exception.

Q. Is abortion permitted in Cuba?

A.Abortion is allowed in Cuba, but the Ministry of Public Health goes to great lengths to ensure that women do not consider pregnancy intervention as a way of stopping the birth of unwanted children. The Cuba Women Federation (FMC), an organization for women over 14 years of age, fights for women's rights to equality in Cuba. The organization actively targets adolescents for sexual education which includes the right of the woman, with the help of her partner, to make the choice of whether or not to abort the fetus.

Q. Two internationally recognized indicators of a country's well- being are its infant mortality and life expectancy rates. What are Cuba's?

A.Before the Revolution, in 1958, Cuba's infant mortality rate stood at 60 per 1000 live births (over 100 per 1000 in rural areas). By 1998, infant mortality had been reduced to 7.1 per 1000 live births (the same rate in rural areas). Mortality for children between 1 and 5 years of age was only 9.2 per 1000 children. Cuba's health care system is responsible for these incredible statistics, more amazing when you consider that in other Latin American regions the infant mortality rate is 33 per 1000 live births, and a mortality rate of 55 per 1000 children between 1 and 5 years of age. Since the Revolution, Cuba's life expectancy rate has risen 13.2 years, to 75 years of age, matching First World countries.

Q. What is the black market?

A.Anything and everything can be bought on the black market in Cuba at very low prices. Just about everything on the black market has been stolen. Somebody, somewhere, will know where to find something you want on the black market. It is simply a question of asking around.

Q. Is Cuba's educational system as good as people say it is?

A.In 1999, the Latin American Laboratory for the Evaluation of Educational Quality (LLECE) tested 4,000 students in third and fourth grades in 100 randomly selected schools in 14 Latin American countries. Cuba's Elementary Education came out on top - the Cuban children scored 350 points on a scale of 400. Despite the economic blockade, the State maintained free education with a 1,585 billion pesos educational budget in 1999. School enrollment is 100% on the elementary level, and 95% on the secondary level. There is one teacher per 40 children compared to one per 103 in the world. While in 1959 Cuba had only 3 Universities, it now has 47 which have graduated 600,000 students. In 1953, less than 50% of Cuban children went to school, over 30% of the population was illiterate, and 10,000 of the existing 25,000 teachers were unemployed. Now, every child has access to free education, remains in school through 6th grade, and then continues on with secondary education. In most Latin American countries 50% of all enrolled children leave by 4th grade.

Q. Are U.S. citizens in favor of lifting the embargo against Cuba?

A.A CNN survey undertaken on the Internet last year (1999) revealed that 67% of U.S. citizens were in favor of lifting the embargo.

Q. How much oil and gas is being produced in Cuba?

A.1998's oil production in Cuba was 1.678 million tons, a new record for the island; and 117 million cubic meters of gas were used. Favorable results are being produced because of Cuba's association with French, Canadian, British, and Swedish companies, the application of modern technology in prospecting and drilling, and the signing of risk exploration contracts covering 22 of the 45 blocks of Cuba's prospective sources of oil. At present, the island has 270 wells producing 35,000 barrels a day.

Q. How much food does Cuba produce itself?

A.There have been real advances over the last 3 years in food production in Cuba. The focus of the food industry is to replace the imports for tourists (Cuba buys rice from Vietnam, wheat from France, meat from Argentina and New Zealand, and produce from Mexico, Spain, China, the Netherlands, and Canada), as well as to improve the supply to the population. In 1998, production totaled 1.2 billion pesos, a 9% growth over 1996. However, these figures are not up to the figures registered in 1989 before the collapse of the Soviet Union. But a 5% growth in 1999 brought Cuba closer to the 1989 levels of food production. Production for tourism and dollar stores has been increasing at an annual rate of 24% since 1994. Sales for 1999 were over $230 million, a 36% increase over the previous year.

Q. How much does it cost to see a movie in Cuba?

A.It costs 2 pesos (10 cents). All foreign movies are fairly up to date (six months old) and have Spanish sub-titles.

Q. Can you drink the water?

A.The water in Cuba is not nearly as bad as in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, but it is not advisable to drink it. Bottled water costs 75 cents for 2 liters in dollar stores, but is expensive when bought in hotels and bars.

Q. Why are Cubans so tolerant and law-abiding?

A.Harsh jail conditions certainly act as a deterrent for would- be lawbreakers. Also, Cubans are a patient breed of people who control their tempers very well. They are non-reactive and accept most things, taking them in their stride. Their attitude is "why worry about something you can't change". Cuba is like a large school with rules and regulations, and a prefectorial system (the Cuban police) in place to maintain order. The rules and regulations are there to set conditions for the majority to live in peace and comfort. Everybody, from a very young age, knows what is expected of him/her, in particular in his/her community, and in general in Cuba, so he/she conforms to the collective good.

Q. Are offenses against tourists in Cuba considered serious?

A.The sugar industry, once the main generating source of income on the island (now producing less money due to the drop in sugar prices from 13.28 cents a pound in 1995 to about 6 cents now) has been overtaken by the tourist industry as the most important source of money. Therefore, any offense against a tourist is serious and likely to result in a jail sentence. Cuba has become so dependent on tourism that the State will not tolerate any infraction by a Cuban that could hurt the industry.

Q. Can you buy property in Cuba?

A.You can buy property from "CUBALSE", a Cuban company that specifically deals with selling or renting property to foreigners. Prices are at international rates, not bargain basement.

Q. For how much is Cuba suing the USA?

The people of Cuba are demanding that the U.S. pay them $181.1 billion for the loss of Cuban lives and the injuries of individuals since the Revolution (over 3,000 dead and over 2,000 injured), and for numerous acts of aggression towards the State since then.

Q. Is the issue for Americans really opposition to Fidel Castro or "one-party rule"?

A.Cuba has had to overcome fierce anti-communist propaganda from the U.S. In an attempt to discredit Socialism in the eyes of the world, the U.S. State Dept. published an article in January 1998, which stated that, "Cuba is a totalitarian State controlled by President Fidel Castro, who is chief of State, head of government, first secretary of the Communist Party, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. President Castro exercises control over all aspects of Cuban life through the Communist Party and its affiliated mass organizations, the government bureaucracy, and the State security apparatus. The Communist Party is the only legal political entity, and President Castro personally approves the membership of the Politburo, the select group that heads the Party. The Party controls all government positions, including judicial offices." The article is not true. The USA has ignored the 1992/93 and the 1997/98 elections in Cuba and chooses to believe that Cuba is a dictatorship led by one man, Fidel Castro. That Cuba has a one-party rule is undeniable. It is a one-party rule with a difference - the participation of the people in the decision-making processes. The Communist party is not a substitute for the people but serves to strengthen the power of the people. On the rare occasion that the U.S. recognizes the electoral system in Cuba, the U.S. complains that only one person runs for an individual seat. This is true, but what the U.S. fails to appreciate is that, that person has to get over 50% of a secret ballot vote to be elected, even Fidel Castro. Is it therefore better to have more than one pre-selected candidate in a run-off for a seat, spending endless amounts of money to persuade voters to choose from among them, or one candidate, chosen by the community, requiring 50% of the vote? The facts of the matter are that three generations of Cubans have fought unceasingly against the richest, most powerful nation ever to have existed in the history of humanity, and has succeeded in steadfastly resisting it. The U.S. is not happy about the present gains made in Cuba. It has been unsuccessful in supplanting the Cuban government as it now exists despite numerous aggressions over the last 40 years. If Vietnam was an embarrassment to the USA, Cuba is her shame.

Q. What is a "barbacoa"?

A.The huts built by the Native Indians of Cuba, the Tainos, had two levels, an upper and a lower level. Because of over- crowding and an absence of living space, Cubans today have similarly created loft spaces in their apartments by putting in a second level. In many instances this conversion does not work because the ceilings were not high enough. Nevertheless, the scarcity of usable space makes it a practical matter for a Cuban to turn his/her apartment into a barbacoa.

Q. Is "machismo" disappearing in Cuba?

A.Unlike most Latin Americans, Cuban men are involved much more in the home, and take a greater part in the nurturing of their children. There is a sharing of responsibility among the sexes because Cuba has a very strong women's movement that has insisted on full equal rights for women. Consequently, Cuban men do not look down on Cuban women; they do not treat them as second-class citizens, or feel superior to them, all the regular trade marks of machismo.

Q. Does a divorce really cost only $5 in Cuba?

A.A divorce usually takes about 3 months in Cuba and costs $5. Everything is split equally between the separating couple. If there are children involved, the ex-husband has to pay 10% of his wages as alimony, and usually leaves the house so that his ex-wife and children can live in it. If he does not make the alimony payments every month, he is put in jail.

Q. Can I bring pornographic material to Cuba?

A.Pornographic material will be confiscated by customs should an official randomly search your luggage. You will be warned not to bring such material again to Cuba, and a note to that effect will be posted against your name in the computer files. In all likelihood, your luggage will be searched every time you visit Cuba again.

Q. What is a "casa de cita"?

A.Because there are usually three generations of a family living under one roof, on top of each other as it were, Cubans find it difficult to privately engage in sex. So, they go to a "casa de cita" and pay for a private room in which to have sex. True to form, couples usually end up in line waiting for their turn.

Q. Why do Cubans call informers "chivatos"?

A.The word comes from the Spanish word, "chivo", meaning goat. This is because a goat bleating sounds like an informer blabbing his mouth: blaa...blaa... blaa...

Q. What is a "guardabolso"?

A.In order to keep shop-lifting to a minimum, Cubans are not allowed to carry shopping bags into stores where merchandise can be handled by customers. Shoppers must check in their shopping bags at the "guardabolso", usually found adjacent to the actual store, before entering. This rule also applies to tourists. There are some shops where the merchandise is behind display counters and shoppers are permitted into these without having to check their bags in at the "guardabolso".

Q. What is "punto guajiro"?

A."Punto guajiro', also called "contraversia", is argument in sing-song. Two people state their opinions, their points of view, in song, taking turns, back and forward. They ad-lib to music until one admits defeat. This form of singing originated in the country and was popular among the "guajiros" (peasants).

"Punto Guajiro" can be seen and heard on television every Sunday at 7 pm, channel6.

Q. Can a tourist be sent money from overseas while he/she is in Cuba?

A.A tourist can receive money from abroad quite easily. The office of "ASISTUR", located in the hotel, "Casa del Cientifico", on the Prado, between Trocadero and Colon Streets, Central Havana, is there to assist such transactions. Their telephone numbers are 24-88-35, or 24-52-78.

Q. Where can I go to use the Internet?

A.In the Capitolio building, in the science library, there are 6 terminals for public use. It costs $5 an hour to use the computers. Unfortunately, there is a long line of people always waiting to use the computers, and waits of up to two hours is not unheard of.

Q. How do you get the attention of a Cuban:

A.hsssst!

Q. Is there racism in Cuba?

A.Cuba's struggle against racism is unmatched anywhere else in the world. "Negros", "mulatos", "triguenos", and "blancos" mix well, but, of course, there are always a few who carry prejudices deep in their hearts, even in Cuba.

Q. What are the best ways of getting around the island?

A."Via Azul", located on Ave. 26 & Zoologico, Central Havana, tel.# 81-14-13/81, have the most comfortable buses in Cuba, all with air conditioning, and they run on schedule. Typical fares are $10 one way to Varadero from Havana; $12 from Havana to Pina del Rio; $25 from Havana to Trinidad. The other bus company, "Astor" is not nearly as good. The Cuban train service is not as dependable but is just as cheap as the bus service, and there is always one air-conditioned carriage reserved for foreigners. A journey from Havana to Santiago de Cuba costs $35, and takes approximately 16 hours. Flying from Havana to Santiago de Cuba will cost $80 and take just two hours. There are two other domestic airline companies apart from Cubana Airlines that fly to different parts of the island: "Inter" and "Aero Caribbean". Fewer and fewer of the old Russian built aircrafts are being used for passenger transport these days. Remember that all domestic flights go from Terminal 1, and all international flights from Terminal 3. You should arrive one hour before departure at the domestic terminal and three hours before departure at the international terminal.

Q. If I want to extend my tourist visa or have any immigration questions, where do I go?

A.There is an immigration office on K & 17th Streets, in Vedado. It costs $25 to have your visa extended. Be prepared to wait as the office is always crowded. It will cost you $80 to change your flight ticket with Cubana Aviation. The other airlines do not charge for changing flight dates.

Q. What was "Rectification"?

A."Rectification" was for Cuba what 'Glasnost' and 'Perestroika' was for Russia. The only difference was that it worked in Cuba and not in the Soviet Union. By 1986, the Cuban government knew that things were not right, that their system was not working. It was manifested in breeding domestic problems, popular discontent, and mass corruption. Foreign debt was increasing, a hard currency crisis was imminent, and Ronald Reagan, then the U.S. President, had taken a more aggressive stance against Cuba. Something had to be done. A year long discussion, involving the Cuban population, took place all over Cuba to identify and solve Cuba's problems. The "Rectification" program implemented in 1987 came just in time for Cuba. It not only gave the State the opportunity to put their house in order but also the strength, two years later, to survive the demise of the Soviet Union.

Q. Which cigar factory would you recommend a tour of in Havana?

A.There are two cigar factories in Havana well worth a tour, "The Partagas" factory behind the Capitolio building, and "The Corona" factory opposite the Museum of the Revolution. Tours normally start at 10am and 2pm weekdays and cost $10 per person.

Q. What is a "Habanero/Habanera"?

A.It is a term used to describe where a Cuban originates. A Habanero (male), Habanera (female) is from Habana; a Santiagero/Santiagera is from Santiago de Cuba.

Q. Is it true that there are no seats on the toilets in Cuba, and that you should carry your own toilet paper?

A.Yes, and yes! Although toilet seats are available in shops now, Cubans have got used to not having them, and in fact choose not to. Toilet paper is so frequently stolen from bathrooms that it cannot be left there unattended.