Cuba- Portrait of A People
- Thread starter Lost Canadian
- Start date
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
The old American classic cars are really starting to dwindle in numbers. The old engines are long gone, and ironically enough most old American iron is now powered by Russian Volga and Lada powertrains. I know my pictures may give a slightly different picture but the reality is most cars in Cuba are much newer. There are a lot of Peugeot's, Lada's, Toyota's, and Great Wall Motor's. I don't know this for sure but trade between the French, Chinese and Cuba looked to be rather healthy.
DiploStrat
Expedition Leader
When is a classic ...
not a classic?
When it runs on a stolen tractor engine.
Trevor is exactly right, most of those beasts have engines filched from the defunct collective farms.
If you worry about gun registration, remember that personal ownership of a car requires:
-- You must document that you earned the money as hard currency while working outside of Cuba. (Tricky, as your salary cannot be paid to you, but only to the Cuban government.)
-- You must have approval from your local chapter of the CDR. (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution.)
-- Your petition must be approved by the Vice President of Cuba.
Thus, in a country where a brain surgeon is paid about $25 a month in non-convertible currency and where a Coca-Cola costs around $5, traffic jams of personally owned vehicles are not a problem.
not a classic?
When it runs on a stolen tractor engine.
Trevor is exactly right, most of those beasts have engines filched from the defunct collective farms.
If you worry about gun registration, remember that personal ownership of a car requires:
-- You must document that you earned the money as hard currency while working outside of Cuba. (Tricky, as your salary cannot be paid to you, but only to the Cuban government.)
-- You must have approval from your local chapter of the CDR. (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution.)
-- Your petition must be approved by the Vice President of Cuba.
Thus, in a country where a brain surgeon is paid about $25 a month in non-convertible currency and where a Coca-Cola costs around $5, traffic jams of personally owned vehicles are not a problem.
Michael Slade
Untitled
Wow, thanks for sharing. A little glimpse of Cuba is better than no glimpse at all.
I appreciate the hard work it was for you to get there, do some strong work and get it posted.
:victory:
I appreciate the hard work it was for you to get there, do some strong work and get it posted.
:victory:
rustyjames
Observer
I agree. I just returned from Cuba spending the majority of my time in Havana. The people were great but the living situation is pretty bad. We stood with a couple who rents out rooms in their home to earn extra money. Each night we talked for hours about how the country is run and how hopless they fill with no change in sight. I can go on and on but I'll just say we are very lucky to live in the greatest country in the world. I flew out of Cancun, Mex and spent $30 for a Mexican visa.
SafariPacific
Adventurer
Awesome photos!
Cuba is definitely one place I'd like to visit.
Cuba is definitely one place I'd like to visit.
Wander
Expedition Leader
Great work Trevor!
As tired as the people there are and as eager as the expat here are, it surprises me there has not been a change in leadership by now. When that day comes and I feel it will be sooner than later, there is going to be a mess of property claims from the former owners of those finca's. The tourism potential of Cuba is huge and is already being enjoyed by pretty much everyone but the USA. I look forward to going there someday.
As tired as the people there are and as eager as the expat here are, it surprises me there has not been a change in leadership by now. When that day comes and I feel it will be sooner than later, there is going to be a mess of property claims from the former owners of those finca's. The tourism potential of Cuba is huge and is already being enjoyed by pretty much everyone but the USA. I look forward to going there someday.
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
Michael Slade
Untitled
We looked at your Cuba work today in class Trevor. My students were very impressed. We also watched the video of those guys operating the funky darkroom/cameras and they were just blown away.
Thanks for giving me at least an hour's worth of lecture material. I appreciate it.
Thanks for giving me at least an hour's worth of lecture material. I appreciate it.
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
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Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
Slowly I'm getting through these.
