I am glad I went to Cuba when I did because I think ultimately it will crumble or change to where the uniqueness fades. It is a fascinating place on one hand and disturbing on the other. It is a country the government is doing nothing for the people nor the infrastructure and by doing nothing it is crumbling. But the spirit of the people, the culture, the architecture are alive and well.
It was surprising for me to realize that transportation is the biggest problem. The people wait two hours for a bus to go to work. They still have horses and wagons. Between the horse and wagons and the cars you definitely feel like you are back in time.
You have to be careful when walking. The manhole covers have been stolen for materials. The buildings are crumbling and either people are squatting in them or they fall and become a grass patch or “park”. The cuban government refers to the US as the enemy. Given this hatred it is ironic that the Capital Building replica is being renovated..
Yet, it is a wonderful place to go. We were able to visit Vinalles. When they served my Pina colada in a coconut they gave me the bottle of rum to do my own pour. I appreciated this. Of course we visited a cigar farm and a museum which had a coffee maker sculpture in the entrance. How appropriate!