Photo: Jose Goitia/AP
Culture club
I have travelled to Cuba and particularly Santiago de Cuba on many occasions, have discovered the town back to front and in the process hopelessly succumbed to its charm.
A great place to visit, full of history and culture and best for those who really want to get close to the country.
Santiago de Cuba is Cuba's second largest city but has a village feel about it. The centre is compact and most sights are within walking distance. Do stroll and enjoy, meet the people and get a real feel for the country and its folks. Santiagueros are very hospitable and with a normal dose of precautions you should be safe in most places.
Santiago de Cuba is quite different from Havana, this is true for the racial mix, the music, peoples' attitude to many things. It has also not yet seen the influx of investment into rebuilding and maintenance, so you get to see a very 'raw' side of Cuban life.
People are poor but most have maintained dignity, their pride and a big smile. Allow yourself to be talked to, to meet the people.
Not all is gold in Santiago, in fact most colours are peeling. But if you look beneath the surface you will discover a real gem.
www.takeyourtimetravel.com
www.cuba-junky.com
A great place to visit, full of history and culture and best for those who really want to get close to the country.
Santiago de Cuba is Cuba's second largest city but has a village feel about it. The centre is compact and most sights are within walking distance. Do stroll and enjoy, meet the people and get a real feel for the country and its folks. Santiagueros are very hospitable and with a normal dose of precautions you should be safe in most places.
Santiago de Cuba is quite different from Havana, this is true for the racial mix, the music, peoples' attitude to many things. It has also not yet seen the influx of investment into rebuilding and maintenance, so you get to see a very 'raw' side of Cuban life.
People are poor but most have maintained dignity, their pride and a big smile. Allow yourself to be talked to, to meet the people.
Not all is gold in Santiago, in fact most colours are peeling. But if you look beneath the surface you will discover a real gem.
www.takeyourtimetravel.com
www.cuba-junky.com
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