Cuba. What a dickhead of a country.

So, Cuba...might as well get it out the way - we had a bag stolen and lost the following:

2x ipod
1x iphone
1x kindle
1x camera
3x credit cards
1x driver's license
£100

Luckily we have a way of getting cash and still have our passports so we can get off this rock, but it's a real kick in the baws nonetheless. We keep getting ripped off, it seems to be our thing. People in the street here just come over and get up in your business, they want to know where you´re from, why you are visiting etc and at first you respond to them because it´s hard not to when another human being is asking you a direct question but in the name of the wee man, they have no idea what you are saying when you reply and they don´t care - by that point they have you in communication and from this point on you are giving them money one way or another. It´s not small amounts either, it´s like 10 squid at a time and we really can´t afford that.

So, I´ve always wanted to visit Havana and had pictured little cafes on busy streets with old american cars driving by, maybe some Buena Vista Social Club in the background and me drinking cheap rums, mojitos and daiquiris. Unfortunately Communism doesn´t cultivate cafe culture, there is no incentive to be better than the competition, no need to offer a good service and no reason to try. What you end up with is a few bars, each charging foriegners 2+ (I have no idea how to do a pound sign, cleverly disguised as squid in the previous paragraph but now I have to admit I am lost) for a drink. So you go in because you want to experience Havana, you want that Cuba spirit, and all you get is a pretty piss poor drink in a crap bar and people constantly coming over and asking for money.




You can´t buy decent food, bottled water is hard to come by, officials and tourist info guides try steal from you, the country is a joke. And did I mention they stole all of our stuff? Bandits.


It´s a shame, I was a big fan before going but I guess this is the point as I couldn´t explain why I was a fan and at least now can say that it doesn´t work, in my experience. What I don´t get is the complete apathy of the people - they are either happy with the situation or just too damn apathetic to do anything about it. Stop asking me if you can have my trainers, stop stealing my branded pants and bartering for soap and overthrow the government! It seems ironic that in a land known for revolution the people are as downbeaten and pathetic as I have ever known.


Vive la status quo.


P.s. Oh, I should try post some photos. I have been saving them all to an online storage thing which is why I´ve not posted much on here but might as well get some on the go.

P.p.s It might make Cuba look ok. All lies.