December 5, 2001

 Hi Everyone:

 Just returned from Varadero in Cuba on Sunday.  I actually sent out an e-mail last Thursday from an Internet kiosk along the beach but it obviously never reached anyone. Frustrating, especially since it cost me $6.00 (US) for the 30 minutes.

 Anyway- it was a very nice trip for my sister, Mom and me. Weather was great - most days around 80 with blue skies and little rain. Evenings would cool down to high 60's. The ocean temp was probably close to 80. The beach is fabulous - wide, long, beautiful white, clean sand. This is the first time that I have ever stayed in an all inclusive resort and it was quite decadent - three buffet meals a day and free drinks. I haven't had that many Pina Colada's for years. The food was very good - there were some things that were not to my taste but overall, there was enough choice to satisfy just about anybody's pallet. The resort itself was only 6 years old- huge pool, hundreds of palm trees on very spacious grounds. Very beautiful.

For me, the highlight of this trip was actually getting a chance to visit a country that I have had an ongoing interest in since the revolution in 1959. I think I got my earliest interest in Cuba from my Dad who was always a strong supporter of Castro and the communist system. My parent's love of latin american music and dancing also affected me when I was young and that music has always held a special appeal for me. Over the years I have read a number of books about Castro and Cuba so I was looking forward to actually being able to visit.

 I know most people probably won't share my fascination with this on-going social experiment that Cuba is so I'll keep it brief. If anyone would like to Chat more about it, please do

 - first, I saw very little of the country and my observations are based on a one day drive to Havana (about 130km) and the section of Varadero that regular town-folk live in - not tourists

- the country is the poorest one that I have visited - having said that, to my understanding, most people are better off than any other country in Latin America

- they have a very low infant mortality rate, high life expectancy, very high literacy rate and very good health care

- health care is free, education is free through university for students who have ability and everyone is guaranteed a job with a minimum salary

- once again, having said that - here is a telling statistic :

 the average Cuban earns about 300 Cuban pesos a month - that is about $12.00 US

Food is subsidized but much is rationed ( and long waiting longs are common). Housing is also subsidized but certainly not close to what we would consider to be comfortable. Health care and education are totally free and very accessible. There are more libraries and cultural centres (promoting the arts - music, dance, art, crafts, etc) than here in North America

It's really hard to get a total picture of what is going on. From my reading, most Cubans are not happy with their lives overall, yet- most still support Castro and the revolution. Their biggest disappointment is that 40 years after the revolution, they still have few of the "goodies" that we in the first world take for granted - cars, appliances, electronics, etc.

Yet- Cuba is noted worldwide for it’s musicians, artists  dance and various other artistic performers. Their health care system is the envy of all developing  countries. I made a point of looking for kids whenever I was outside of the resort and I never saw one who was not decently dressed and healthy looking. I certainly never saw one begging in the street which is so common in many S American countries.

I could go on but as you can see, I find the country a bit of an enigma that has really  increased my curiosity. I hope to go back some time in the future, rent a car for the week and just drive through the countryside to get a better understanding of what is going on. One more reason to keep up my Spanish lessons!

 Anyways- it's nice to have the luxury to explore these kinds of things when you’re retired. I'm sure that if I was working full time - having just completed report cards and everything else that the job entails and then spent a week in Cuba during March break, I probably would just vegetate on the beach like most normal people! !

 By the way, I did scout out a number of the other resorts along the strip and have suggestions for anyone who is thinking of going to Varadero in the future.

All the best

Larry                                                                                                       Return