The airport seemed a bit strange one change mashine but the screen stated I was beeing robbed. Cuban Pesos Convertible (for tourists) vs pesos (for cubans) - exchange rate of 27 between them. Well having two currencies seems a bit strange of cause the system is makes sure the tourists purchasing power is well used. Cubans do not earn a great deal and if the tourists had their foriegn income here they would be very rich indeed. I do understand why they have this system of two currencies - even if it seems a bit capitalistic in this communistic country.
Looking at the change machine was surprising I must say first they change to US dollars then they send the bill to the Danish bank come up there is an 11% fee on any redraws and the currency against dollars is very bad - Cuba is expensive to jaunt in that was a surprise!
Driving to Havana - getting to the hotel was fine but already in the first few hours I was finding my self in a particular situation. I needed some food and Michel from the hotel was send to help me. I was thinking; “Cool he seems as a nice guy” and he was I still believe. He showed me a place to eat sat down and gave me company. After a short introduction he had a box of cigars for me to buy. The food was extremely expensive I told him I did not be to buy cigars now.
He knew the restaurant and of cause they took way too much for the meal. I was indeed screwed by them. The complexity of the situation is actually that he really was a nice guy he made sure I went the right places afterwards and so on. I suppose he was just trying to make a living.
I was beginning to see the two sided society how the hospitality of the Cubans sometimes is linked to their scarce resources and how the common man begs on the street openly. The two currency system plays a central role in this if I gave 10 convertibles it would match half a month of salary to the Cuban - he can change the convertible to Pesos and if he is a good spotter of new tourist he can become a rich man!
Next day I really got the creeps - I could not leave the hotel without getting chatted up by some Cuban trying to sell me cigars, comfort I have one experience where the two sided society comes alive:
One guy seemed especially nice. He came to me. I told him right away that he would not get any money from me. He showed me central Havana using three hours walking around talking about the system - in general giving me a cultural experience - amazing cram. The only thing he.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://holmjr.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/a-comment-to-cuba-and-the-political-and-social-expirience/
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