Just returned from our first trip to Cuba - stayed in Cayo Guillermo. We were constantly told how poor people were, how little they earned and how getting even simple things was difficult - these messages are also echoed in this forum.
If this is the case, then how come all the cuban staff at the hotel and many Cubans we saw in Moron and Ciego de Avilla had mobile phones? How come the young Cubans in Moron and Ciego were wearing designer and branded clothes and modern branded trainers? How come the Cuban Convertible peso stores in Ciego were doing really good business on the days we visited? Just like to say well it was the Americans that increased prostitution before the revolution and then it was cleaned up.
Now with all the tourism, and all the bad stuff it brings it is an easy way to make money. Westeners flaunt our wealth and greed and it is not surprising that some people want some of the pie. Some would say that giving gifts is not the right thing to do - it could cause muggings and aggressive demands. It is making some people dependable on us Westerners. Is that a good thing? People also have pride and don't want handouts. If there was not a supply and demand for all the bad stuff then it would cease.
Lots of large pieces of gold jewellery, and NOT just on the resorts! We went through residential areas and homes may look battered on the outside, but on the inside they are beautiful. Get of the beaten path and visit the real cuba. The village my friend grew up in is very poor. He tells us storys like, until he was a teenager, he either didn't have any shoes, or wore pieces of rubber tire tied on his feet as shoes. He gets annoyed at his children when they don't show appreciation for things.
Cubans are very proud people. When you see somebody with nike sneakers and a flashy T-shirt it's probably all they have. Try drving out into the countryside. Even so when she is kitted out and goes to town she's a second Noami.
