The Real Cuba

Upon the arrival in Cuba, foreigners usually get in thehis/ her own flat as the present from the
resort zone, where Cuban economic troubles won'tgovernment several years ago. The unauthorized
affect them for sure, at once. They haveaugment of seats is severely punished. The menu is
"smorgasbords" in 5-star hotels, diving, sea outings onregulated as well: only chicken or beef dishes can be
yachts to coral reefs and lobster lunch here. Theserved in such cafes. But the precious sea inhabitants
service is excellent, the staff is smiley, the territory isare the national heritage; common Cubans have no
enclosed, and native people are not allowed even toright to catch them. According to the recently issued
bathe in the local sea. However few foreigners canlaw, if a lobster is found in the refrigerator at a
boast of having seen real Cuba: the tourist zones areCuban's place, the refrigerator will be confiscated.
the states within the states that have little to doWhen you want to communicate with the local
with the Island of Freedom...population, go to famous «Floridita» bar,
The majority of tourists buy tours to Varadero, awhere Hemingway was the frequenter. Hemingway
Cuban resort. Varadero was considered to be therepresents a peculiar epoch to Cuba. There are a lot
best beach in the Caribbean Basin before the localof places in Havana, where he liked to be; there is his
revolution. American millionaires had even preferred ittable, chair, favourite bench in the park, favourite
to Jamaica, until the communists came to power.cocktails, with the recipes of which he "entrusted" his
Divers represent a special category of tourists here.descendants. And his favourite seat near the
The matter is that the sea around is the largeststanchion in the corner of «Floridita» bar,
cemetery of ships in the world. The route to Europe,where a small orchestra with the violoncello, violin and
along which Spanish galleys exported gold from theaccordion plays songs to the order, and the visitors
New World, passed here. The ships often sanksip "Daiquiri" made of rum, lemon juice, sugar and
because of the overload. According to the scientists'maraschino. One more place in Old Havana is
calculations, 400 vessels sank in the port of Havanaconnected with his name as well - «La bodeguita
alone.del medio», the bar and the restaurant.
Small An-26 fly to the other side of Cuba, the island"Mohitos", rum with ice and mint, which is a less
of Kayo Largo, from the airport of Varadero.dainty, but more traditional Cuban drink, is in vogue in
Sometimes it is called "the only Caribbean island thatthis bar.
has preserved the quiet and the charm of theBy the way, if you are a great admirer of rum, go to
nineteenth century". Playa Esmeralda, the mostRum Museum some time. You will be offered to
beautiful beach of Cuba, Guardalavaca, the famouscompare various sorts of the strong drink there, and
beach with the magnificent coral reef and Playayou will realize the difference between Havana Club,
Peskero with the extremely beautiful seabed arewhich is famous all over the world, and odd
situated here. The sand is wonderfully white there,Guayabita del Pinar, which is produced nowhere else
the sea is never stormy, and the hotels that workin the world. "Having degusted to your heart
according to «all inclusive» system arecontent", buy a bottle of seven-year-old rum in order
jam-packed with the Europeans.to regale the friends at home. It will cost only 7
But if you want to see real Cuba, go to Havana. Thedollars.
history of the city has been traced from 1515. TheOf course, one should sip rum holding a cigar in hand.
splendid mansions of the Spanish colonization periodThe best-known Cuban cigars are of
neighbour upon the socialist buildings here,Воlivаг sort, with the
ultramodern skyscrapers -upon the ramshackle hovelssmack of dry earth and spices, of
of the outskirts. The private houses or theСоhiba, La Gloria Cubana sorts and of
"particular" represent the most exotic and cheapnoble and expensive Hoyo de Monterrey sort. Cuba
variant of lodging here. It is possible to find sucheven opened a special hotel for experienced smokers
"private boardinghouse" only if you take a Spanishto spite the Americans, who create hotels for
dictionary with you and pester some local with thenonsmokers. It is called "Conde de Villanueva" and is
question. One can find a "particular" with allsituated in the marvelous building of the city mansion
conveniences in the centre of the city for 20 dollarsof the XVIII-th century in Havana. There are only
per day and a couple of dollars for the "guide".nine rooms of a huge size on two storeys of the
In order to follow the style, we advise to eat intotal area of 2,5 thousand square metres. Each of
private institutions called "paladar" as well. Everythem has been given its own name, which is
resident of Havana acquired the right to open a smallconnected with the concrete sort of cigars, and the
restaurant consisting of three tables for 12 persons inprices for the daily lease here strike imagination.