Cuban Time Warp
Being in Cuba is like being transported through time. We felt this time shift the moment we left the airport. We shared the motorway with a horse and carriage, tractor and 1950s convertible. We ourselves were in a taxi which used a surfboard to double as its back seat.
The capital, Havana, gives you an idea of the wealth this country once had. Walking around Habana Viej, the original settlement, you pass monuments to French and Spanish architecture, the pavement is made of marble.
However, once you move out of the touristy areas to the working class area it’s a different story. The buildings are in ruins, but for me this was the area where the real energy of Cuba comes from.
You can walk along the streets and see children playing or breaking into sporadic bursts of high energy dancing. Stand outside on the balconies and you will be greeted by the neighbours, they seem to be having an ongoing competition between houses to have the loudest music.
Music and dancing is ingrained into the lives of these Cubans. I have travelled to many parts to Central and South America and no one can dance like the Cubans do. They would make a novice look like a pro with ease and many hours were spent dancing.
We stayed with casa particulares (the equivalent of home stays) which offered an insight into Cuban life. Upon arrival you are welcomed into their homes and lives and considered part of the family for the duration of your stay. For a country based on socialist ideals, there was an obvious divide amongst classes, which questioned my opinion on communism.
Cuba is a culture shock. There is very little western influence, and it’s not until that influence is missing that you realise how accustomed to it you are in your own life.
We hunted for chocolate for six days, eventually finding it in a gift shop.
The simplest of tasks were difficult, there were two currencies – one for locals and one for tourists - and when we thought we had finally found a supermarket it would only accept ration cards.
Despite these inconveniences Cuba is a must see for those who love rum, Cuban cigars, dancing and fine architecture.
Aimee Walker
Aimee Walker spent two weeks travelling through Cuba.
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Unitec has a student exchange relationship with the Universidad Technologica de Chile (INACAP) located in Santiago de Chile.
INACAP have invited Unitec students with at least a basic command of Spanish to attend a two-week course at their University in January 2011. The course entails Spanish language studies as well as cultural studies (in English) and will be completely free to Unitec students. Students only have to pay their own travel and accommodation expenses (usually students stay in an apart hotel near the campus at a cost of around US$25 per night).
If you would like to register your interest in this fantastic opportunity to put your Spanish to practice and extend it some more, please email Jude Lydia (jlydia@unitec.ac.nz), Director International at Unitec.