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When El Bargo came to Cuba

Published: 05.05.2017

El Bargo accompanied me throughout Cuba. El Bargo arose from a discussion about Cuba and the economic embargo when a friend suddenly asked who El Bargo was.

Yes... Cuba and the embargo. An eerie alliance that makes the Caribbean island uniquely amusing and at the same time just exhausting. Or, as it can't be described more accurately, as stated in lonelyplanet under 'Why I love Cuba':

'Cuba has the ability to disappoint you completely in one moment and inspire you incredibly just a minute later.'

For example, there was the 50-minute walk to the legendary Hershey train, which, of course, didn't work, and then meeting a Cuban on the way who led us to a viewpoint with a wonderful church.

It is no secret that Cuba handles 2 currencies. It is also not a secret that this can be cumbersome. You feel annoyed when you pay 24 times more for coffee than the Cuban at the next table, because the tourist currency is traded much higher.

This doesn't make the salsa music, which can annoy even the biggest music lover after 4 weeks of constant playing, any better. But the charm: the toothless smile when the old Cuban realizes that I still don't believe him that he needs money for milk for his children, because... as he told me, all his children are academics and adults... that is truly priceless.

Ferris wheel reminiscent of Pripyat
Ferris wheel reminiscent of Pripyat
Hershey train station in Matanzas
Hershey train station in Matanzas
Viazul bus station during regular operation
Viazul bus station during regular operation in Sancti Spiritus
Tourists in the museum de la revolucion in Havana
Tourists in the museum de la revolucion in Havana
The train from Matanzas to Havana takes 7 hours longer than the car
The train from Matanzas to Havana takes 7 hours longer than the car
Romanesque church in Matanzas
Romanesque church in Matanzas


Decrepit houses and posters of the old philanderer Che and his cohorts fade away ironically in the emerging capitalism that is definitely still in its infancy, which leads to the question of 'That doesn't work today' when asking for directions to a restaurant. This raises the question of what exactly 'doesn't work'. Or the question of why the bicycle taxi costs more than the official state taxi is explained with 'The sun is shining'. Imagine that in Europe....

Sign at the entrance of the cinema in Bayamo
Sign at the entrance of the cinema in Bayamo
Pickup in Cuban style
Street vendor in Trinidad
Street vendor in Trinidad
House of a Cuban soccer fan in Trinidad
House of a Cuban soccer fan in Trinidad
Senior dance in Cuban style
Senior dance in Cuban style
House in Havana
House in Havana
Small restaurant in Cienfuegos
Small restaurant in Cienfuegos
Shower in Havana with the risk of electric shock
Shower in Havana with the risk of electric shock
Promenade in Cienfuegos
Promenade in Cienfuegos
Old car in Bayamo
Old car in Bayamo
Caribbean beach in Playa del Este near Havana
Caribbean beach in Playa del Este near Havana
Che statue in Santa Clara
Che statue in Santa Clara
And because he looks so good... again
Old barn in Viñales
Old barn in Viñales
Path to the house in Playa Larga
Path to the house in Playa Larga
Street in Viñales
Street in Viñales


Oh and before I forget to eat. For all the foodporn haters... now would be the moment when you shouldn't continue reading....

Contrary to popular belief, the food in Cuba is really delicious. Here chicken with rice and banana chips. The yellow on the rice is not saffron but another very tasty spice. Unfortunately, I forgot the name.

Our first breakfast in Cuba. Lovingly prepared and just as good as it looks.

Answer

#amerika#südamerika#kuba#mittelamerika#wandern