With Hurricane Irma brewing in the southern Caribbean, I had an important decision to make: continue with my trip to Cuba or cancel it, my family’s recommendation.
Havana had been calling my name for years! Fascinated by Celia Cruz and Afro-Cuban culture, I dreamed of strolling through the streets of Old Havana and listening to the African-infused rhythms of salsa. I wanted to sit in an open terrace restaurant, devouring some ropa vieja and yucca frita. Basically, I had been having a love affair with this island for a while.
So the decision wasn’t actually too hard: let’s go! When it comes to travel, I can be impulsive, throwing reason out the window in favor of instant gratification. It was Tuesday morning, and Irma was projected to hit Cuba on Saturday. Eager to justify my decision, I reasoned that I had enough of a time window to evade the hurricane. In the worst-case scenario, I would move up my departure flight.
I realize I was downplaying the seriousness of a 400 mile-wide, Category 5 hurricane. But, with Trump’s travel restrictions on Cuba looming, I felt that I needed to take this dream trip before it was too late. Going against stern warnings from my family, I went ahead with my plans.
My travel buddies, Lizeth and Jessica, arrived at my house at 5 am in the morning. We then caught our 8:50 am Alaska Airlines flight from LAX to Havana’s Jose Marti Airport, arriving 5 hours later.
Upon arrival, I felt like I was in familiar territory. Jose Marti Airport, complete with old, abandoned airplanes and surrounded by lush greenery, reminded me of the Abuja Airport in Nigeria. The setup of the airport’s interior and customs area was almost identical to Abuja’s.
Exiting the airport, my travel buddies and I ran into a little dilemma: our pre-booked taxi failed to start. The driver told us to hop out and lend him a hand. I speak Spanish fluently, but had a difficult time understanding his dialect. Even Lizeth, a native speaker, struggled a little. As he started the engine, we pushed the taxi from behind while he pushed it from the side. Soon enough, the taxi roared to life and we were good to go. We hopped back in and drove to our accommodation in the city. What a way to begin the trip!
Our little taxi roaring back to life after the girls, myself, and the driver gave it a push.Frank, the owner of our casa particular (the Cuban equivalent of an Airbnb), met us in front of his apartment in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood. He was a soft-spoken, composed man in his late 20s with a great command of English. Frank showed us around the two-bedroom apartment, which was spacious and homely. Later in the evening, he gave us a quick tour of Vedado and the surrounding area, including the scenic drive by Havana’s famous El Malecon strip. Frank then dropped us off at Hotel Nacional, an exclusive hotel frequented by wealthy foreigners, so we could access Wi-Fi.
Doing a quick photo shoot in front of our casa particular in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana
A classic car zips through Havana’s El Malecon strip. I had a field day snapping photos of classic cars.You see, Wi-Fi is a commodity in Cuba. Because Cuba is a police state, residents are denied basic freedoms, including access to the Internet. We had to purchase one-hour Wi-Fi cards from the Hotel Nacional’s Business Center for 5 CUC each (about 7 dollars. Cuba has a dual currency system – one for tourists (CUC) and one for citizens (CUP). 1 CUC equals about 25 CUP.) There are also Wi-Fi parks across Havana, but Internet access is strictly limited to those locations.
Hotel Nacional is one of Havana’s most exclusive hotels and our one-stop shop for Wi-FI. Can you spot Lizeth?
Frank, Lizeth, Jessica, and I inside our casa particular, or Cuban Airbnb, in Havana’s Vedado districtThe first night in Cuba gave us a brief introduction to the country’s culture and politics. The second day, however, was like drinking from a fire hose. This was all thanks to Alejandro, a handsome and masculine taxi driver whom found on Calle Almendrales, the main taxi street in Vedado. Lizeth, Jessica, and I were planning to go explore Havana Vieja, but upon entering Alejandro’s green and white classic car, our plans changed completely. Alejandro negotiated a deal with us: for a flat fee, he would be our guide for the whole day and show us all the most important attractions. The fee? Twenty dollars each. Deal!
We started our tour in Havana Nueva, making stops at the famous Plaza de La Revolución and El Bosque de Havana. While having some piña coladas under a tree at the Bosque (forest), Alejandro told us the unfiltered truth about life in Cuba.
Alejandro was our guide and driver for two days. He showed us the highlights of the city.
Of course my girlfriends and I had to get our own snap with the classic car.
Can you tell I like to twirl? Here I am at Plaza de la Revolucion with a monument for Che Guevara in the background.“Cubano es una mala raza (Cuban is a bad race),”he said, referring to the decades of deprivation Cubans have experienced at the hands of the country’s authoritarian government. Alejandro wasn’t saying that Cubans are bad people – far from that. He was saying that desperation combined with the inability to leave the country is almost like a curse for the Cuban people.
Although he was just 28, Alejandro was wise for his age and had a stoic temperament you would expect from an elderly person. He at times seemed resigned, like when he talked about how impossible it is for Cubans to get a visa to visit other countries. Yet he was ambitious and clearly making the best of his situation.
El Bosque de Havana, the forest of Havana, is the only forest in the city. The Almendrales River runs through the middle. So much beauty!The average Cuban, Alejandro said, makes 20 CUC per month. That’s how much I paid for my two piña coladas. Alejandro, on the other hand, makes five times that amount due to his profession. Surprisingly enough, being a taxi driver in Cuba is more lucrative than being a doctor. Why? As a doctor, the Cuban government pays you a fixed salary along with monthly rations of food. As a taxi driver, you can charge tourists top-dollar for tours and also get tips. But you have to be business savvy and attentive to woo the tourists. You also have to scrape together around $23,000 to purchase the fancy classic cars that tourists like. That’s why the taxi driving profession is out of reach for most Cubans.
Pedestrians strolling through the colorful streets of Havana Vieja, Old Havana. This area is the heartbeat of Havana, with a lot of the best restaurants and bars concentrated here.The last leg of the tour was Havana Vieja (Old Havana), where Alejandro dropped us off. First stop: La Feria. This bustling in-door market was the perfect place for souvenir shopping. We haggled our way through the complex, purchasing some drums, maracas, and fridge magnets to thank our families for allowing us to go on this wild adventure. Then we were off to explore the lively streets at the heart of Havana Vieja.
I loved wandering the streets of Havana Vieja and observing the passerby. The area reminded me a lot of Granada, Spain.
Habaneros singing and dancing salsa on the streets of Havana Vieja. I wish I could shake my hips like them. Oh, the singer’s voice was incredible!It was everything I had imagined: Spanish-style architecture and people dancing salsa in the streets. The energy of the people was infectious! Take Laza, a vivacious Habanera whose colorful clothes match her personality. She called us over, put polka dot scarfs on our heads, and did a photo shoot with us. All for just 3 CUC each! Then there was Tomasa, an elderly woman sitting by the side of the street, puffing away on her cigar. She also called us over and agreed to take pictures for just 1 CUC! I later learned that she is somewhat famous in Havana Vieja after finding photos of her with lots of other tourists online.
Posing with Laza, a vivacious Afro-Cubana in colorful clothes, on the streets of Havana Vieja. She provides the cigar and colorful props for 3 CUC
Laza adjusts my headband before we begin our photo shoot
Tomasa was sitting on the streets puffing away on her cigar without a care in the world. I speak Spanish fluently, but found it hard to understand the Cuban dialect. I think she called herself, ‘Tomasa, la dama de la casa.’Alejandro picked us up after a couple of hours of traversing Havana Vieja. We were famished! Alejandro took us to El Clasico, a treehouse restaurant by El Morro Castle. Then he dropped us off at home. After resting, we took a ‘taxi’ to Hotel Nacional Nacional. It wasn’t actually a taxi. It was a 20-something year old man, his mom, and his sister driving around. They offered to take us to the hotel for 8 CUC, which was a steal given that the regular yellow taxis cost 15-20 euros.
The Sangria at El Clasico, a treehouse restaurant, was phenomenal. The layered coloring were a nice bonus.We arrived at Hotel Nacional once again and connected to the Wi-Fi. That’s when panic set in. Hurricane Irma was now classified as the strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic. It would hit the northern coast of Cuba on Friday morning, earlier than expected. Our departure flight was scheduled for Friday evening. I had seriously underestimated the severity of this storm!
I had 15 missed calls from my mom so I got in touch with her right away. With a tremble in her voice, she asked, or demanded I should say, that we come home right away. I couldn’t argue with this one. Irma was no joke.
‘Is this the dumbest decision I had ever made?’ I thought to myself. Not quite, but it was definitely impulsive and risky. After a tense two hours of discussing how to proceed with Lizeth, Jessica, and our parents, we arrived at a solution. We would leave Cuba the next evening. My mom graciously arranged new flights for us to depart at 6 pm on Thursday. With the situation cleared up, I slept easily that night.
Thursday rolled around, and we had a couple of hours to kill before our flight. We packed up our belongings and headed out with Alejandro to Playa del Este, a 45-minute drive from Vedado. We originally thought about going to Varadero, but it was a whopping two hours away. There just wasn’t enough time to go there and still make our flight. Playa del Este was a good alternative.
The first thing I thought once Alejandro dropped us off at the beach, was ‘Wow!’
Paraíso!
You can see why I didn’t want to leave! Who would?
A splash of the turquoise Caribbean Sea was just what I needed.
The path to Playa del Este is paved with thick bush. On the other side you’ll find a little paradise.
Coconut anyone? Nothing beats a fresh coconut, especially when it costs $1.With white sand and turquoise water, it reminded me of the beaches of Cancun. But it was more secluded and less touristy. There was a really lovely green path leading to the beach. Then once you got to the other side, it was like discovering a hidden paradise. Now it was time to actually relax! The previous day, the girls and I had been running around Havana, trying to see everything. At Playa del Este, Lizeth went for a swim while Jessica and I lounged on the beach chairs.
A few coconuts later, we headed over to the beachfront marisquería (seafood restaurant) for our last meal in Cuba. It was a feast: garlic lobster, grilled cod, and sweet potato chips coupled with a fresh salad and Cuban staples: rice and black beans.
My last meal in Cuba: Mariscada. It consisted of garlic lobster, grilled cod, deep-fried sweet potatoes, and a lightly-salted salad. Nom nom.Over lunch, we talked about the craziness of this whirlwind trip and all came to an agreement: it was definitely worth it! We only saw a glimpse of Cuba, but it left a strong impression on us. Visiting Cuba was almost like entering another dimension. This small island nation was just so different. Yet it was also familiar in some ways, with the blend of Spanish and African influences.
After reflecting and chatting for a while, we saw Alejandro pull up in his car. It was time to say goodbye to Cuba. Alejandro gave us each his contact information so we could get in touch on our next visit. I will most definitely reach out!
Somto Ugwueze
Hi! I'm Somto. Two years ago, I stopped making excuses, ditched my indecisive friends, and started booking flights. Today, I'm a full-time solo traveler on a mission to inspire young women to seek new adventures.
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/363495583_681336997355409_8269653626385180880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=_vy0qj-WxFoAX-mjbwg&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAPqz89qBOUgOh00AfVwwwiMtUalPvCK3LjBZqNY1ZuAQ&oe=657A6126)
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/363496891_3960588657501192_2279069811238681499_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=LtJTETr6UhgAX99KV_j&_nc_oc=AQmAmH8fEtUCrcX0JC3ab3nmi5MRB4e2Ji-S98sk2ENU8ZKpshumpTsxh4N_r9N8gx8&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfBLHqP4rlViQp28OGkZfCUrWhgAEJg_pGXIiiilHsTNeQ&oe=657922C5)
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/364071653_816389820137326_3597345990832080157_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c4dd86&_nc_ohc=MYF5J3kz_SAAX8LrCKa&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfAyBMpI95aIAIlzLZ-1w4-QTfs64lpl2_uEMGTDvZljQA&oe=6578CBC2)
![Let’s talk about money in Croatia 🇭🇷 (and the Balkans)
📌[Save and Share]
⚠️ Quick tip: Don’t exchange money or take out money from any place that has a big, yellow sign
On my most recent trip to Croatia with @girlslovetravel, I learned that from the locals and other seasoned travelers.
I wanted to pass along the message to help you guys avoid falling for this trap, because I saw so many people getting ripped off.
If you’re traveling through Europe, especially in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, you’re going to see these super-convenient money exchanges and ATMS.
With their big, yellow signs, these are hard to miss.
And they’re so seductive because they’re always conveniently located.
But don’t do it.
These places are known to have the worst exchange rates and sometimes hidden fees.
You’ll end up getting significantly less money than other comparable money exchanges.
The ATMS could charge you all sorts of ridiculous fees, which happened to one of my travel friends.
If you walk away from the touristy city centers, you can find places with better exchange rates.
Do your research.
Compare places, especially if you want to exchange a chunk of money.
Don’t go to the first place you see because it’s convenient.
Any other tips for exchanging money in Europe? Drop them below👇🏾](https://www.somtoseeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/363495583_681336997355409_8269653626385180880_n-256x320.jpg)
You are such a lovely and truly passionate traveller! Wow, do you take your own photos? Lovelyyyy!!!
Hi thanks! Yes, I take my own photos with my Nikon D3400.
I’ve always wanted to go to Cuba as well. It’s such a fascinating place to me. Your photos are absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
I’m Nigerian, just like you are. However, my interest in Cuba is mostly related to history and politics. Do you know that Cuba embarked on an ambitious literacy campaign that virtually wiped out illiteracy shortly after their 1959 revolution? Do you know that thousands of Africans have received free education in Cuba? Do you know that Nelson Mandela’s first trip abroad was to Cuba to thank Fidel Castro for helping end Apartheid?
The president of Seychelles was educated in Cuba for free. A New York ER physician I follow on Instagram received free medical education in Cuba. The health minister of Chile is Cuba trained. A Nigerian neurosurgeon I know benefited from a Cuban scholarship. The beneficiaries from Cuban generosity literally number in millions.
I ask these questions because you described Cuba as a ‘police state.’ This begs the question; what is a police state? Did you see rifle-wielding policemen, as is the case in Nigeria, at every corner? Did Alejandro express fear about his life?
The claims you make in your post can easily be demonstrated to be inaccurate. Internet connections, for instance, are being rapidly expanded across the country. Priority has been given to schools, hospitals, and other strategic sectors. Home internet connections have also spread. Most recently, a rollout of home internet was started in the city of Cienfuegos. You could easily access Cuban sites and read through critical commentary uploaded online by Cubans. Here is a link to a story featuring over 500 comments by Cubans: http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2017/10/30/sancionado-victor-mesa-por-una-subserie-a-causa-de-indisciplina-desconocida/#.Wg9zhrQ-fVo
In my view, travel is most enriching when a traveler gets immersed in a country’s history and culture. You may have missed out on an opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of Cuba. Without familiarity with Cuban history, you couldn’t possibly understand the situation with the currency, cars, and politics.