These are photos that can be described as taken "from the street " or "desde la calle". This is real day to day Cuban life in action.
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Scott York > Renovations among older buildings in Havana
Scott York > Students sitting peacefully on the steps at University of Havana
Scott York > A reminder of the revolution sits at the University of Havana where tuition is free for all attendees. Students may have to fulfill a work study type of hours whenever requested to help the governement.
Scott York > Cuban Bank... Cuba now has switched from using the US Dollar as their primary monetary system. Prior tothis switch, Cuba printed their own convertible Peso which was equal to one US dollar while on the island of Cuba. The new money called Chavitos requires a 10% conversion fee from US Dollars to Chavitos. So $1 US equals 90 cents in Chavitos. Chavitos are only valid in Cuba and can not be exchanged anywhere else in the world. So there is basically an additional 10% commission or tax for using Chavitos to buy anything in Cuba. This is not to be confused with the Cuban Peso which is about 20 to 26 for $ 1 USD. This is the money used in the non tourist open markets. It also is not valid anywhere else in the world. Estimates say that Cuban households are holding/saving/circulating about one-half billion US dollars outside of the banking institutions. Prior to 1993, it was illegal for Cubans to have US dollars in their possession. Cuaba legalized the US Dollar in 1993 to provide an avenue for Cubans to use and obtain dollars from whatever source available. Fidel wittingly removed all US coins from circulation. He replaced them with Cuban minted coins. This brought in a one time installation of world wide usable money into the Cuban government. The question is...whenever the embargo is lifted, how long will it take for Cuba to develop is own strength so they won't need to resort to measures such as this ? Or will actions like this continue. At this time it might be better to travel to Cuba with Euros than US dollars, depending on the exchange rate you can get. One last note.... since tax is included in any prce you see in a Cuban restaurant, store or tienda...take note that all prices end in a zero or five...there are no pennies in Cuba... So could you say that Cuba is penniless ? But don't travel there without sufficient cash if you only have access to US banks...or you will feel penniless... Money can be sent via Western Union or Transcard...but if you don't know anyone living there, or you are not there legally... it might prove to be a pain... but do able...(once every 3 months)....
Scott York > EPSON DSC picture
Scott York > The Terminal Building
Scott York > EPSON DSC picture
Scott York > EPSON DSC picture
Scott York > REGLA
Renovations among older buildings in Havana
> Renovations among older buildings in Havana
Renovations among older buildings in Havana
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