Did you know that there are no homeless people in Cuba?
It's called Communism............ Basically everyone has a job and gets paid basically the same amount. Great in theory but when you take in account the fact that most people would rather be construction workers than doctors if they are getting the same pay than it becomes messy. Also they have almost ZERO FREE SPEECH and quality of life is much worse than most places. To put it briefly Its better to be poor in Cuba than it is to be Poor in the US Everything else USA>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There is a reason why everday hundreds of Cubans leave on a raft to miami.
Why would people pursue Communism in Latin America?
I heard in Cuba you get a bar of soap for the entire family for an entire month. Or you get paid 15 dollars(Or whatever currency it is) for an entire month. I mean the answer cant be because the US has blockated Cuba because they can get help from China or Venezuela. If you ask me thats not progress its regression.
What is it like to live in Cuba?
Little background: I lived in Havana, Cuba between 1980 and 1995. Those years included a brief increase in living standards and then the terrible "Special period" of the early 90s. I have been back twice and keep in touch with family. Living in Cuba back then and now even more is to live in a bubble. The news come in filtered and manipulated. So you are quite isolated from the outer world. If you live there, then you don't know what you are missing. If visiting, it is relaxing and vexing at the same time.In any case, there is no major interest in the outer world as every day there are problems to solve. Even if you have money, that does not mean that you can buy what you need when you need it. So big part of your time is spent trying to solve problems. Oh and you cannot plan. If something is available today, that does not mean it is available tomorrow. So you better get it now. Moreover, if something is allowed now that does not mean it will be allowed tomorrow. Or viceversa. In Cuba a lot of impossible things are possible if you know the right people. So a lot of time is spent making connections. On the other hand: one cannot be isolated. One depends on family and friends to survive. So the social fabric is much stronger, and people help each other much more. And when the expectations are so low, the smallest victory is a reason to celebrate. And if you cannot plan the future, you may as well enjoy the present. And if you don't laugh at your misfortunes you would go crazy. So you laugh, and celebrate, and enjoy life as much as you can.
Tips for travaling to cuba??
You have had excellent advice so far about money, etc. - except the one about the water - we drank the water during our weeks at Marina Hemingway and had no problem with it. We found that the water in Cuba at tourist places is safe. If you are worried take Twinrix before you go, and talk to a travel clinic. If you are so inclined bring plenty of small items to give away - clothing, toiletries, baseballs, small toys, baby products, over the counter medications, used eyeglasses, anything you can think of. It will be very much appreciated. Pack them as if they are part of your personal effects, not things to give away. Make sure you arrange at least a day trip to Havana. You can go to the beach anywhere, but there is only one Havana. Walk along the Malecon, visit the old buildings, go to the big open air market, eat a pizza for lunch sold from the door of someone's house. Watch a man doing a valve job on his old Buick while sitting on the curb, see the old lady with the cigar posing for photos, and get your picture taken with a very old box type camera. If you can, also arrange for a day trip with a vehicle and driver throughout the countryside and you will see lots of interesting things. As others have said, be kind and courteous and generous, and remember that your tour guides, waiters, etc. are probably engineers, teachers, professionals, working in the tourist industry because it puts them in contact with foreigners and therefore with more money and with products they could not otherwise get. We have so much and they have so little. Cuba is very safe, but always carry your visa with you. They will tell you that when you clear in. When walking in Havana be aware that there will be eyes watching you for various reasons - some to see if they can get something from you, others to make sure you do not give anything away, etc. If you go inside the old Catholic church in downtown Havana you are expected to be dressed respectfully. Mainly, just enjoy your experience and be as helpful as possible while you are there. Cuba is a wonderful place with wonderful people.
Why does Cuba pay doctors €46 a month though it has one of the best healthcare systems in the world?
I'd debate that Cuba has the best healthcare system in the world or anywhere close to it.However, the 'low' pay is just because Cuba is a Communist country where the government directly employs almost everybody and sets the wages. They have a closed economy in almost all sectors, and the state wage scale is not connected to world prices, and reflects the prices set for goods by the state. So while it looks like pennies to us, it's not crazy with respect to what things cost in Cuba plus the rationing system.Its also why good waiters can make several times a doctors pay in currency you can use in places that are not Cuba.