Cuba 95 - The other half.

[Beagletorque]

This is a typical Cuban "apartment" in a crumbling colonial block.



This is the foyer of the $350/night Hotel Raquel in a restored colonial mansion in Old Havana.



Bearing in mind the average Cuban wage is $25/month, it's little wonder they think we are all multi-millionaires!

[raymondo]

Re: Cuba 95 - The other half.

Hi beagletorque, a bit of a comparison to say the least, dingy rooms and absolute opulence. I think it is going to get better for the people now that cuba is coming out of the cold. I really hope it does, they have been down trodden for a very long time.
Really good photos though.

[Beagletorque]

Re: Cuba 95 - The other half.

Thanks Ray, I hope you are right.

[KeithL]

Re: Cuba 95 - The other half.

H.mm, quite a contrast! I'm intrigued by the 'dresses' put on the chairs in the foyer. I'm wondering why they do that.

At least there's one thing seemingly shared between the hotel and the apartment - the floor finish! I do wonder if the Cubans are any better off after half a century of Communism than they were before, though, under Batista. Cuba was quite a wealthy country under Batista, albeit a very unstable one; it certainly had a prosperous middle class. Is there still a middle class, or have all the people been reduced to the same low level? All very well having good schooling and health programmes, but poverty is still poverty, nonetheless.

[OM USer]

Re: Cuba 95 - The other half.

The disparity is quite incredible. Is the renovation of the fancy buildings being paid for by the state (as propoganda to the outside), paid for by the state (to attract tourists and bring in dollars), or paid for by private business (and obviously in this case for tourists who can pay)?

[Beagletorque]

Re: Cuba 95 - The other half.

H.mm, quite a contrast! I'm intrigued by the 'dresses' put on the chairs in the foyer. I'm wondering why they do that.

At least there's one thing seemingly shared between the hotel and the apartment - the floor finish! I do wonder if the Cubans are any better off after half a century of Communism than they were before, though, under Batista. Cuba was quite a wealthy country under Batista, albeit a very unstable one; it certainly had a prosperous middle class. Is there still a middle class, or have all the people been reduced to the same low level? All very well having good schooling and health programmes, but poverty is still poverty, nonetheless.

There is still a wealthy element in Cuba. Those who cater for the tourists in the various Hotel, Casa, Catering, Guiding and Entertaining areas seem to be doing quite well, although the peak season is not very long. More private enterprise is also allowed now too with entrepreneurs allowed to keep more of what the earn.

[Beagletorque]

Re: Cuba 95 - The other half.

The disparity is quite incredible. Is the renovation of the fancy buildings being paid for by the state (as propoganda to the outside), paid for by the state (to attract tourists and bring in dollars), or paid for by private business (and obviously in this case for tourists who can pay)?

There is a government department set up for this purpose. Apparently there are a lot of mafia-esque machinations that go on to decide on what gets done and when. Nearly everything is very strictly controlled in Cuba, you cannot even move from one place to another without the correct permission. We don't realise what freedoms we have in the UK!

[Internaut]

Re: Cuba 95 - The other half.

On a couple of times in my travel, I've had to slum it (backpacker places and the like) due to unforeseen circumstances. I definitely prefer living like the the other arf! Once again, great Cuba photos.