https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023 en-us 2023-04-20 14:55:35 UTC 2023-04-28 21:44:26 UTC hello@padlet.com palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564588833 It's not possible to exchange USD for Cuban pesos in banks or exchange outlets.  It's also not possible to use credits cards from US banks so I had to carry cash at all times. Before my trip, I exchanged USD for Euros and once I was in Cuba I was able to exchange Euros for Cuban pesos.  I mostly did this through the hostal where I stayed. Once I got there, I discovered that USD and Euros were the preferred currency.  Sometimes checks would list the price in three currencies and I would have my choice of how I wanted to pay.  The only catch was that if I paid in Euros or USD, I would be given Cuban pesos in return.  We're not allowed to bring Cuban pesos back to the USA so I took this picture.]]> 2023-04-23 12:37:24 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564588833 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564595487 Due to the gasoline shortage Cuba, it can be preferable to hire a bike taxi. You don't want to miss out on a ride through Old Havana in this form of transportation. Take my word for it. ]]> 2023-04-23 12:51:31 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564595487 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564654538 As a tourist, I did not experience any shortage of food while I was traveling in Cuba.  However, I was sensitive to the fact that a food rationing system still exists for Cubans.  It's called La Libreta or Libreta de Abastecimiento (supplies booklet) and it's been in existence since 1962.  Per person, per month, the rations are more or less: five eggs, one pound of dried spaghetti, a cup of cooking oil, a few pounds of sugar, seven pounds of white rice, less than half a pound of black beans, enough bread for one meal a day and coffee beans ground with dried beans or peas to make it last.  Anything else isn't included and it could be hard to find. 
Breakfast was included in our stay at the Airbnb and we were guided to only order what we would eat.  Waste would be frowned upon.   
As a result of the rationing system and food shortage, there isn't always a lot of condiments used in the food.  Food might be overly salty as a way to make up for the lack of herbs and spices.  I took a care package to Cuba for a friend's family and it included over the counter medications, vitamins, protein powders, and seasonings for food.  


]]> 2023-04-23 14:53:13 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564654538 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564657053 Yes, the Internet can be found in a lot of places, but since there are no international data/calling plans in Cuba with my carrier, I used Internet cards like these to access social media. I called my husband with Whatsapp or Facebook messenger and the connection was pretty dismal at best. ]]> 2023-04-23 14:57:16 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564657053 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564661512 Teresa, or better known as Teté, is a well-known Cuban musician who has toured  internationally and performed with many of the artists from the Buena Vista Social Club.  She is included in my soundtrack with her song, "Los Tamalitos de Olga."]]> 2023-04-23 15:05:17 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564661512 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564663056 The first half of the songs were selected before I arrived to the island. The second half includes songs that I heard while in Cuba.]]> 2023-04-23 15:08:19 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564663056 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564665360 Classic car buffs will delight in Cuba as you can see all sorts: Chevrolet, Fords, Pontiac, Buicks, Dodges, Plymouths, and Studebackers. You can even hire one for a ride around Havana at $50 an hour. ]]> 2023-04-23 15:12:10 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564665360 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564683905 2023-04-23 15:51:02 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564683905 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564712545 2023-04-23 16:55:05 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564712545 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564713235 2023-04-23 16:56:47 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564713235 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564713978 Slower rhythm done in the style of the Salsa Rueda]]> 2023-04-23 16:58:32 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564713978 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564714476 2023-04-23 16:59:34 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564714476 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564714867 You think it's a wedding or a Zumba class... but no! It's something they do at the clubs in between sets of salsa, bachata, and Kizomba. Everyone joins in and follows the first row of leaders.]]> 2023-04-23 17:00:35 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564714867 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564716394 The server at this small cafe insisted that I dance. I'm sure he was testing me. ;) ]]> 2023-04-23 17:04:16 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564716394 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564721760 2023-04-23 17:16:02 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564721760 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564726925 This guy was such a sport.  Earlier in the day I had taken a class on how to lead salsa and this young man was my partner. When he saw me at the club, he made me practice my new moves. :) ]]> 2023-04-23 17:26:55 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564726925 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564838992 Unfortunately I didn't grab my camera quickly enough to show how long the gas line really was. I was told that car owners line up the night before and sometimes the next day there is no gas to fill the tanks. I made reference to gas when I shared the bike taxi video. Whenever I asked for a "taxi" in the Airbnb, the front desk attendant would remind me of the gas shortage and that it would be preferable to find an alternative form of transportation to my destination.]]> 2023-04-23 21:58:35 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564838992 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564840681 This Padlet is a work in progress of my trip in April 2023. I traveled to Cuba for an educational program to learn Cuban dance and support the Cuban people. ]]> 2023-04-23 22:03:33 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2564840681 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2565654028 2023-04-24 12:55:51 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2565654028 palomarafferty https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2565657124 2023-04-24 12:58:02 UTC https://padlet.com/palomarafferty/cuba2023/wish/2565657124