Caribbean | Where is Joe in?

Cuba: WOW, what a Country!

Joe — Mon, 31 May 2021 16:02:13 +0000

From November 2016 to January 2017 Rocío and I experienced an unbelievable trip to Cuba. This post summarises the holiday and includes links to many stories and highlights. From reading about Cuba beforehand I had some idea what it would … Continue reading →

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Cuba’s Bromeliads in Gardens and the Wild

Joe — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 02:46:30 +0000

I love bromeliads. Members of the Bromeliaceae family, they impress me with their range of leaves and flowers. The different environments they are found also fascinate including on trees, rocks and even wires. Cuba’s tropical climate and varying environments ensure … Continue reading →

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Havana, Cuba’s Capital and a Must-Visit

Joe — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 05:26:19 +0000

Cuba’s capital Havana is one of the world’s great cities. Its combination of history, architecture, transport, economics, culture and climate can’t be copied. Back in 2016-17 I was lucky enough to visit this unique place including for new year’s eve. … Continue reading →

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Cuban Postal Systems and Mail Boxes

Joe — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:53:44 +0000

The Cuban postal system (Correos de Cuba) is both a cheap way for locals to communicate and a source of foreign revenue. See, Cuba produces two sets of postcards and two corresponding postage rates: A touristic card aimed at foreigners … Continue reading →

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Cuban Signs, Branding and Marketing

Joe — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:09:01 +0000

Post-Revolution, Cuba has been run as a totalitarian state with the government controlling all production and distribution. With no competition, such a system has little place for advertising or branding. In addition, Cuba’s mass media is all state-owned and commercial-free. … Continue reading →

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Cuban Ingenuity and Repurposing

Joe — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 02:29:35 +0000

Cubans are great at recycling, reusing, repurposing and modifying objects to extend their usefulness. The limited availability of resources caused by both the communist state policies and US embargo have forced their frugality and ingenuity. This was especially true when … Continue reading →

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Shopping in Cuba

Joe — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 13:07:52 +0000

Shopping in Cuba involves buying what is available, not what one desires. Stores have limited variety, especially those aimed at Cubans. An extreme example of this was the bakery Rocío and I saw selling only one line of bread. Cuba … Continue reading →

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Cuba’s Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR)

Joe — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 13:38:36 +0000

Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (Comités de Defensa de la Revolución), otherwise known as CDR, exist in every Cuban neighbourhood. Established on 28 September 1960, less than a year after the Cuban Revolution, the volunteer-run committees monitor and … Continue reading →

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Cuban Communist Country Products

Joe — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 06:06:38 +0000

During Rocío and my visit to Cuba we saw multiple old and modern artefacts from other communist or former communist countries. Considering Cuba’s post-revolution political alignment and the United States embargo this should not have been a surprise. Communist Crockery … Continue reading →

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Cuban Propaganda Against the United States Embargo

Joe — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 08:43:13 +0000

For six decades the United States of America has imposed an embargo (el bloqueo in Spanish) on Cuba. Separated by less than 200 kilometres, this action by the world’s largest economy has heavily restricted Cuba’s commercial, economic and financial options. … Continue reading →

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