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Cuba consists of the island of Cuba and numerous adjacent islands, in the Caribbean Sea. It has an estimated population of 11 million. The climate is semitropical and generally uniform, and like most other Caribbean nations Cuba is subject to hurricanes. The people include Spanish and African but the majority of the population, about 50%, is of mixed Spanish-African origin.

Cuba was a former colony of Spain like the Philippines but unlike the latter, Spanish is the predominant language spoken here. Roman Catholicism like in the Philippines is the dominant religion and is tolerated by the Marxist government. Tourism is now the most important source of foreign income for the country and visitors from Canada, Europe, and elsewhere have revitalized the industry. Although American tourists are not allowed by the US government to visit, tourism is now the most important source of foreign income for the country.

Our journey starts at the Toronto airport in Canada with Mariah, Lola’s pet
now 13 months, seemingly excited with her first trip outside Canada.

We arrived in Camaguey, Cuba after only 3 ½ hours direct flight from Toronto, away
from the cold and snow. I woke up the following morning to this tropical scenery
from our suite balcony. It’s like Tectec or Sabangan in Agno only that the place
is much cleaner and developed.

The beach at Oasis Brisas in Santa Lucia.

The resort is partly owned by a Spanish national, so I heard, but controlled by Fidel
(now Raul) Castro’s government.

This resort is waiting for the American tourists to arrive. 90% of visitors when
we arrived were Canadians from Ontario & Quebec!

This child traveler is hungry and pointing at the resort restaurant. The food
is not that great, no imported sirloin steaks, beef products, etc. like what
we have in the US or Canada.

We were ready to visit a village and we preferred this horse and buggy kind
of transportation rather than the one below.

Not this one Mariah!

Or this other one waiting at the curb. Yes, some lucky few already have new cars
like this one below.

2005 Hyundai model car at the Oasis Brisas resort.

That was a fantastic carriage ride from the resort!

Our Cuban hostess in the village stands in the centre in front of their neat, clean house.
They have 2 small bedrooms, a dining room and a very clean modern toilet
with running water. That’s his dad sitting in the front door. Her husband works on the side
and earns more than the average Cuban worker. Working Cubans receives
a uniform salary of just P20.00 a month and a doctor, the highest paid ones,
only P40.00 pesos. Juliet used to work in a hotel as a maid but she no longer works.
Their kind of life may not be bad at all financially. Government housing rent cost
only P1.00 peso a month. Everybody has a sideline, especially those who works
in the tourism industry. Education up to university and health care is free.
In their case the house is not rented but already paid for from money the husband
earned from his sidelines.

Jaime selling us Cuban cigars on the side from his bedroom.

Eduardo sells Cuban music recordings in DVDs from his backyard.

Lobster is included in the menu! I can’t figure out why it is illegal for the locals
to eat lobsters but the tourist and visitors can. I asked our host why but he couldn’t
tell me or won’t explain why!

We are back at the resort for dinner. Sometimes we have something in the menu
that we like. The Filipino way of Cooking seafood is more appetizing. Maybe, the people
lack the necessary ingredients and sauces to make the food taste better. They seem
honest and very hospitable. I had no fear of having some of my stuff stolen or worst,
being mugged. Generally, Cubans all look beautiful or handsome in different shades
of skin color, like the mestizos and mestizas in the Philippines.

I requested them to sing “Cielito Lindo” which my mother used to sing with
our piano in the old house in Agno. They sung it with gusto. I was wistful and melancholy.
I wish my mama Saling was here.

A beach party for us under the moonlight. I did not have my camera with me
when Mariah also joined the dancers on stage. You’ll see that when
I get her pictures from Marivic’s camera.

Lola’s pet, the youngest of the four grandchildren, with her mom, watching the show
now apparently very sleepy.

Wolfgang Friedrich and the author at the coffee bar. The two of us always wake up early
in the morning, ahead of the rest. Cuban coffee, like the Café Espanol with a dash of brandy
or the Café con leche y chocolate which Elda likes are fantastic!

With best wishes for a Merry Christmas
and A Happy New Year!

The Author Oasis Brisas, Santa Lucia, Camaguey, Cuba –
Dec. 17, 2009

December 23, 2009

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