Day 7 Veradero
Cloudy day. Windy day. Depressing not to see sun.
We go into a hotel that was listed as backpacker friendly. We sit by
the pool. I decide to get a coffee. I go to pay for it and the bartender
says its included. I think then we have someone snuck into a private
party, but I look around and everyone has wristbands on except us and
about that time, a uniformed gentleman comes over. The hotel is an all
inclusive hotel. It includes everything from drinks to food for guests.
We are not guests and are asked to leave, which we do. When we go to
the beach, we notice that most people have these bands on.
The government does not allow casa particulares in Veradero, as it is
the tourist commune and the government wants tourists to only stay at
the hotels. I read that it is rather like apartheid because most Cubans
can not go to these beaches. Each hotel has a section of the beach and
the people who are wearing the band for that section get free drinks
at that bar, like most inclusive hotel settings. Its strange, because
I was reading that this is one thing the revolution was about, but to
allow Cubans to be able to access the beaches again, but it appears
that since tourism and private foreign hotels have come about, that
the apartheid is happening again.
Ronni
enjoying the beach
We are staying at a friend's family's house (an illegal casa according
to the government) and have to be cautious when leaving and going. In
fact, I have not included names or pictures of these people, possibly
I am being paranoid, but the presence in Cuba and the feeling that someone
is watching all the time there is very apparent. There are police all
over Veradero making sure to keep the Cubans who live there away and
not conversing with the tourists. I wear a wrap to cover my dreads so
as to not attract attention. When I buy some beads for my hair, I have
to follow a woman into the back of a house in order to transact. We
were sitting with her on the side of the road and a police came by to
check on us. The separation between the tourists and the locals was
most extreme here and somewhat unnerving.
At night we went to a local bar with music and dancing. It turned out
to be a "Club Tropicana" like show and we were in for a treat.
I guess they have to be somewhat wild to get those inclusive tourists
out of their hotels on on to the streets. Unfortunately I did not bring
my camera, but I feel like I went to the famous Tropicana in Havana
and for a fraction of the price.
Day 8 Veradero
A sunny day! And we are out to the beach as soon as we can.
I have nothing to report this day except blue clear water and sunny
days and French cheerleaders who were doing jumps and landings all afternoon
next to us.
We eat lobster that night which is delicious!
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