Oh Havana where did you get that car

Been back to Cuba, and its just gets better and better, already booked for 2021 - but here are a few highlights from this years trip.

The 1950’s chevy is not just restricted to Havana, everywhere we went we saw all types, it’s was wonderful. Some a bit rusty, some turned into pink cadallics   to attract the ladies. There is a strip of road in Havana, where they cruise up and down trying to attract customers - ‘ you want taxi in nice car lady’ is what you may Hear. A refusal is accepted with charm and grace 

‘No Gacias’“OK next time” “Si” you say and no one loses out. 

 Most of these cars are used as taxis, since it helps to attract the tourists who just have to get that all important selfie. But, there are a lot of Cuban families who own these as their everyday car and you will see the whole family in them driving down the road, possibly off to see other family members. You will often see the bonnet up and 4 guys looking and watching one guy fix the engine, or check the bumper, these cars are old, but the are much loved possessions and trust me, the roads don’t help the suspension one bit. Now driving around Cuba, well that’s a whole new story.

There are very few main motorways across Cuba, and you really do try to stick them because you will have less chance of damaging your wheels and suspension as you miss that hole in the road,  although on saying that, you will find even these have chucks missing, and you will often see a truck or car swerving around up front, and no they have not been drinking, it’s just called “pot hole swerve’ we did a few ourselves. 

It’s not just pot holes you have to watch out for. Along each junction you will often see people waving at you holding CUP currency in their hands, they just want a lift, but we were warned never pick anyone up. One time, we were driving on the 3.72 - the equilivant to the M6 toll, no traffic, when we were flagged down by what looked like a policeman, “oh crumbs” what have we done we said. So, we stopped only to discover it was the local security guard and wanted a lift home. We polity gad to decline, - bit mean you might think well actually no, there have been many a tourist that has fallen foul to giving a person a lift home, only to find themselves in some place they rather they wasn't, Plus our insurance would be invalidated, so you always find the locals will give him a lift, so all is good. 

It’s not just the Cheveys that are used for transportation, in and around Havana, all over Cuba you will see horse drawn carts, used either as taxis or moving goods around, in some parts it’s the family’s main transportation. One of the places we stayed, Vinales, you would see what would resemble cowboys riding horses along with hats and stepson. Yes guys, you really are going back in time.