Captivating Cuba - Classical (Neo) Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos was a real contrast to anything else we had seen in Cuba. It's wide tree-lined boulevards and large Neo-classical buildings and houses gave it a real Parisian feel. A port town, the Harbour is it's focal point.





It was obvious as we wandered around the town that there was a little more money in this area - newer cars, bigger shops, sailing boats moored at the Marina and people dressed that little more smartly.






Possibly this was most obvious when we went to the Cienfuegos Recreation Club which although government owned (as are most establishments, businesses, restaurants and bars in Cuba) it reminded me of the CYC in Sydney - somewhere that is not really open to everyone!






There are two currencies in Cuba - the Cuban peso for the locals and the convertible peso generally used by tourists one convertible peso is equivalent to about 25 Cuban pesos. Where possible we did try to eat From local carts and in Cienfuegos we had some great pizza, equivalent to about 10cents a slice...this sign is in local currency.















Just as I had questions about how religion and socialism co-exist in Cuba I again had difficulty reconciling the apparent wealth in Cienfuegos. Without doubt the basic 20-30 convertible pesos monthly wage across the country would be impossible to live on. And for that reason people are enterprising ways to earn extra money or for many having more than one job. We take so much for granted in Australia.



The basic wage is the same for a Doctor, member of the military, architect, teacher, tour guide or government worker. Tourism is certainly a way of making extra money for many Cubans with the number of Casa Particulars growing exponentially in the last year as the government relaxed some of it's rules. This is also quite noticeable in relation to the number of small cafes and restaurants being opened up in peoples homes. (We had dinner at a small restaurant that was ridiculously cheap - about $2-3 for a main course you wonder how they make any money.)






Naturally with so little money going out at night is not something the locals do all that regularly - the entrance fee let alone buying a drink is generally not in the budget. In Cienfuegos (just like Havana) the Malecon (Harbour wall) becomes a pivotal social scene and is a meeting point and place to have a drink - there's no need for Internet dating sites here! (not that they have access to the internet.....). We joined the scene on our night in Cienfuegos and had an interesting time meeting the locals, other tourists and sharing our rum......

On our way from Cienfuegos to Havana we stopped in Santa Clara at the Che Guevara memorial. This was where the final train derailment took place, resulting in Fidel coming to power, led by Che. He is certainly held in high regard, partly to do with him being killed by the CIA in Bolivia, not too long after the revolution. It was quite reverent in the memorial, amazing the things they have on display. Viva la Revolution!












“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe Harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”. Mark Twain

Location:Cienfuegos, Cuba