So, I was now officially a quarter-of-a-century old AND in Cuba. There are no words to articulately describe what I felt then. Thankfully, the Nacional included a free buffet breakfast, since we were short on cash. As we were walking to breakfast, a friendly Aussie asked us if we knew where breakfast was being served. We told him to follow us and as simple as that a new friendship was formed. I have previously mentioned in my blog how deeply important the people that I meet while traveling are to me. This was definitely no exception! Marc, an Australian nomad, was by himself on the end of a round-the-world trip. Looking for some fellow travel companions, he decided to join us after breakfast on our excursion to the beach.
The beach that we went to was called Playa del Este. It was about a fifteen minute taxi ride from La Habana. As we walked over the sand dunes and in the direction of the ocean the sight of the crystal blue waters took my breath away! I will never become jaded with the Caribbean.
Sadly, the beaches in Cuba are divided between tourists and locals. Tourists are discouraged from going to the local side. Locals, however, are not even allowed to go over to the tourist side. There are police watching to make sure that this never occurs.
In the next two pictures guess which side is the tourist side and which is the local side?
We decided it best to head over to the tourist side, aka the empty side of the beach (even though all three of us preferred otherwise). There we found a man that would bring us anything we wanted for only a couple of CUC$’s. . .ahhh, que bueno!
I left Marc and Kristin to their sunbathing and went to float in the ocean. While there, I encountered two very drunk Cubans whom kept insisting that I marry them. Marc eventually joined me in the water and kindly pretended to be my husband to get them to leave me alone (poor Kristin became their next target).
Marc then tried to take their picture, but they started to get very anxious and talk so rapidly that I could barely understand them. The problem was that they knew they were on the tourist side and if the police somehow saw the pictures they could get in a lot of trouble. It was not just the ocean; hotels, restaurants, and shops that admitted tourists were not allowed to let Cubans enter either. That type of segregation was really unsettling and continued to bother me throughout the rest of the trip whenever we encountered it, which was more often than not.
We laid out for several hours under the hot Cuban sun and when Marc and I would need breaks we would cool down in the ocean and engage in talk of politics, current events, world affairs, our travels, etc. I felt like I had really met my intellectual match with him! One of the question’s he asked me was, “What is your greatest vice in life?” My response, of course, was chocolate. I would pleasantly discover soon why he had asked me that question.
Later in the day it started to rain and we took it as a sign that it was time to find some lunch. However, finding something vegetarian for me and non-seafood for Marc and Kristin was proving to be quite a challenge. Finally, we happened upon an ice cream stand, which made all three of us very happy. Unbeknownst to us, that also happened to be where our two Cuban friends had found refuge as well. They insisted on buying us ice cream and asking for Kristin and I’s hand in marriage one last time (despite thinking that Marc was my husband). The sun started to come out again and we thanked them for their “generosity” and left them with broken hearts.
About an hour later, having had enough sun for one day, we returned to the hotel in order to start the real celebrations. . .
wow, they separate the beach like that?You’re too ebautiful, that’s why the man came to you at the beach, good thing M was there to help you out! I do want to visit Cuba one day, but I’m not sure how comfortable Allen feels about that. He was even worry to go outside the resort when we’re in Dominican republic. hahah yea he worry about me alot 😛
I love that your blog got a ‘song of the post’ =) it gives reading a unique feel! And wow! That’s the coolest taxi I’ve seen!
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¡Ay, caramba!
🙂
Ok, that definitely creeps me out big time about the separated beaches. I had NO idea it was that extreme. I knew there were different prices/hotels/places tourists were recommended to use. I did not know the locals were not allowed to use the same places.
That’s fascinating about the segregation. I had no idea that was the case. Is it just for political reasons ie they don’t want you to get to know locals who might put the regime in a negative light or is it something else?
Whoa!! That’s unusual that a tourist beach would be empty! Is that common in Cuba? Interesting how they separate the tourists and the locals, though. I’ve really enjoyed reading your adventures in Cuba, girl. Wish I was there right now!
This is so much fun to relive! Especially as I took NO notes whatsoever, and you go into such vivid detail! Can’t wait to read about the rest of our journey =)
it was like a GREAT book. better than an Oprah pick!!! YOU are so wonderful, from your words to your persona. we have GOT to go get a drink!!! besos y abrazos!!!!
wicked bday blog. us aussies sure know how to help a girl have a good time…. ;-D
fun birthday! yeah!
Sounds Like Youre having Great fun…and its a very sad reality that Most cubans cant enjoy some of the best things their country has to offer,but hopefully that is all coming to a change soon
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Wow, gorgeous photos! The beach and the color of the water reminds me of Sardinia.
I find the whole tourist beach vs. locals beach kind of unsettling. Why do they do that?
I think this was the funniest part of our whole trip, hands down. After we got over the whole part about being segregated from the rest of the natives!
I am so fascinated by the segregation of tourists and locals. I can only guess at the motivation and assume its political…. I’ve never heard of/seen that sort of thing before.
AHHH I want to go to Cuba so bad… I don’t think that I can convince Shaun to hop over there though due to the potential consequences. The beach looks beautiful.
As for the segregation, that is definitely interesting… I would think that it is due to political reasons as well.
Great pics! Thanks for sharing your experience in Cuba.
This makes me want to board a plane for Cuba even more. Enough to break the law. LOL
P.S. Did I miss the start of this series, possibly explaining how you GOT to go to Cuba?!
Amazing post!
I’ve heard of an optional seperate area for tourists but never seen it enforced! that’s crazy!
Interesting that they segregate the beaches. Many places have local beaches that tourists don’t frequent, but a policy that enforces segregation is new to me.
How fun! Although I don’t like the fact that locals can’t move freely in their own country.
It must be very strange to lounge on a beach separated into tourists and locals. My vice is chocolate too! Enjoying this Cuba series on your site too!
You are such an awesome travel writer!
the more I read your posts, the more I know I gotta go! great job on the writing.
Awesome post!!!!!
Cuba, wow, amazing!
Superb Cuba
I LOVE that you put a song on your post–what a clever idea! I am really hoping to go to Cuba next spring. It looks wonderful 🙂
Can’t get enough of the photo of the guy professing his love to you — what a great shot. Persistent isn’t quite enough to describe him 🙂
I agree that picture of the guy on the beach is the best 😀
Your post gives a nice unique twist on things.
It looks like a wonderful start to your birthday! Though the segregated beaches and other spots would have really bothered me as well…
What a great place to spend your birthday! Cuba caught my attention since I was young (growing close to it in Puerto Rico), but now reading more about it through your posts I have an even greater desire to go there. I love the nostalgic aura that it still has. It’s interesting, and somewhat disturbing, to see how the government controls every detail of Cuban’s daily life.
Fun fact… I’m an extra in Dirty Dancing: Habana Nights since it was filmed in Puerto Rico. But I’m not recognizable in the shots… ha! 🙂
GREAT POST!!!!!!
That taxi is awesome!!! The ridiculous segregation is not…
Wahhhooo awesome post!
Cuba looks amazing!!!
Que fantastico!
Gorgeous post!
Loved this!!!!
Que lindoooooo!
Cuba looks insane!!!!
Love it!!!
Amazing post!!!!
I’m dying to visit Cuba!!!
Just beautiful!
Awesome!!!!!!!
Que bella!!!!!
Awesome post!!!!!
Nice!
Gorgeous pics as always.
Amazing post!
I want to be in Cuba NOW!
You are so freaking amazing!!!
Gorgeous pics!
Wow, Cuba!!!!
You have some eye!
Que fantastico!
Wow!!!!!!!
Cuba is the best!
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!!!
Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful post!!!
I’ve always dreamed of going to Cuba!
Stunning photos!
Hi! Your article rocks!!!!
Amazing!
Terrific post!
You are such a bad ass for going to Cuba, I love it!!!
Just amazing!
What a well written post!
Take me to Cuba now!!!
Nice work!
Gorgeous post!
Nice!
Wonderful post!
Absolute perfection!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Lovely post!
Nice!
Fabulous!
Awesome post. I LOVE your style of writing.
Nice post!
You rock!
Enjoyed your site!
Thanks for the gorgeous post!
What a well written post!
Que bueno!
I LOVE your sense of writing.
Lovely!
Congratulations on having one of the most sophisticated blogs Ive come across in some time! Its just incredible how much you can take away from something simply because of how visually beautiful it is. Youve put together a great blog space –great graphics, videos, layout. This is definitely a must-see blog!
Beautiful post like always girl!
Nice post!
Awesome post!!!!!!!!!
Cuba = awesome!
Fantastic!
I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks!
Wonderful!
I gotta get me to Cuba now!
Love this post!
Gorgeous writing & photos. 🙂
Wonderful post!
What an awesome post!
nice post 🙂
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You are such a remarkable blogger, really love your work!
Indeed an amazing post. Loving Cuba! wish I could get there some day
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