Life for most Cubans is tough, although we've seen evidence of black marketeers and property/casa owners who seem to be doing pretty well for themselves.
There are shortages of pretty much everything......but funnily enough rum and cigars are widely available.
A lot of Cubans drink a lot of rum....all day.
The rum is very good, as is the local beer, 'Bucanero'.
Ernest Hemingway is much loved in Havana, mainly for popularising the mojito and daiquiri. Both taste very good.
Cuba for tourists is very different to Cuba for Cubans. It seems only the run-dwon buildings in tourist areas are being renovated.
The colonial buildings are beautiful in both renovated and dilapidated states.
Despite the apparent ban on US imports (people and goods), you can buy Coca Cola, Lucky Strike, Malboro and Kodak films in many places......although there were almost no Americans.
There are a lot of Canadians and Italians in Cuba.
As in many other countries, tourists are seen purely as a source of money, frequently being hassled by the locals. Sadly this means getting to know the locals is almost impossible - although we had a great night out with a Cuban magician and his girlfriend (after we bought one of his tricks, of course).
Home-cooked food is great, eating in state-run restaurants isn't.
Toilets don't have seats.
Staying in a casa particular (rented room in a private house) is much more rewarding than staying in a state-run hotel.
Live music is a part of life, and generally of a very high quality.
The beaches on the north coast are amazing.
Travelling is very difficult due to the terrible roads, lack of road signs and very basic road maps.
There are a lot turkey vultures everywhere because there are a lot of dead dogs everywhere.
Cuban women are very proud of their bodies, whatever shape they are......and however hairy they are.
Prostitutes are not required to have 2 legs.
Big old noisy gas-guzzling rusty beautiful American cars are everywhere.
Cuba is still stuck in a 50yr time warp. This provides great photo opportunities for us, but makes life more difficult in general for everyone.
It really helps to learn some Spanish.
Due to free education and health care, Cubans seem fairly content with things as they are..although we only spoke to a few people about politics for obvious reasons.
Cubans have a talent for shouting, very loudly.
For all its offerings, good and bad, and its contradictions, we loved Cuba.
EMILY'S HIGHLIGHT
Dancing with the locals under the tropical rain, in an open-air nightclub in the tiny colonial town of Trinidad.
BEN'S HIGHLIGHT
Drinking mojitos whilst watching the Buena Vista Social Club play live in the Havana Club Bar on our first night in Cuba.
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