Let’s start, Cuba.

To describe Cuba with one word? Impossible. Exhaust, poor roads, not-working cars and humidity. Still, the people, friendliness, charm and hope.

Cuba is one of those countries everyone says you have to visit, but everyone find it hard to explain why. It is a country with flaws, lots of it, but despite that I haven’t heard of one person who’s regret visiting it. Oh, well, except for those expecting a typical sun&bath-holiday. There’s no secret that if that is the main purpose of your next vacation, you better look elsewhere.

In brief:

The Republic of Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos.

Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country’s capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is the most populous insular nation in the Caribbean. Its people, culture, and customs draw from diverse sources, including the aboriginal Taíno and Ciboney peoples; the period of Spanish colonialism; the introduction of African slaves; and its proximity to the United States.    [wikipedia.org]

I have been longing to visit Cuba for so many years now, it’s hard to explain why. The numerous photos of antique cars, old cities and endless beaches can be found everywhere. After the revolution in 1959 which resulted in Fidel Castro’s unbeatable control of the country, it feels like the time has stood still. There’s no doubt that the communist-style of ruling the country has had its advantages, lots of them, but at the same time they have been excepted from the ever-growing capitalism. Maybe good at first, but now I think everyone can agree that the inhabitants have been robbed from the possibility to evolve, and that their lives could have been better.

But things are changing, rapidly, and when I found some cheap tickets with Air France this summer, I just had to go. I got 18 days on the island, and although I doubt it is the first place I would go back to, I had an amazing time. As company I brought my mother, and I must admit it was good to have some friendly support at times.

We had read quite a lot about the island, it’s just not a country you visit without knowing what to expect. It’s by no means a dangerous country, they are actually quite dependant on tourism, and try to do everything possible to facilitate their visitors. However, this was not a typical beach holiday. When we first went this far, we wanted to experience as much as possible. I came with a semi-planned itinerary, and was mostly able to follow it.

[To be continued in another post...]