And can you tell a nice episode from the history of socialist Cuba? All cows in Cuba belong to the state and the state protects them from violent death.

A wonderful story about how, by spreading light, change the world around you. "A grandmother lives in the entrance of our house. Grandmother Lyuba. She is 97 years old. A sweet, pleasant old woman, always in a good mood, smiling and friendly. For me, she is an Enlightened Leader. I see her sitting on a bench near the entrance. I will explain why I think so. First, grandmother Lyuba decorated the window sills on our floor in our entrance with pots of flowers. Beautiful. The next day, the brightest flowers, those with buds, were stolen, and near the metro you could see nimble merchants with pots of grandmother's flowers. The neighbors decided to put a lock and an intercom on the front door. And she hung frames on the walls with the sayings of the great ones, awakening the conscience and acting like commandments. And again put the flowers on the windowsill. Cozy. In the entrance noisy teenagers began to creep in. Grandmother Lyuba came out and ... offered them water or tea. They laughed for a long time. They cut the flowers and turned the frames over. The next day, she put the flowers back, returned the frames to their previous appearance and laid on the windowsill of a book. Classics. The teenagers have arrived. Noisy, noisy. She came out and ... offered them tea with her buns, appetizing and delicious smelling. The guys couldn't refuse. They even took books with them with the promise to read them. They did not touch the flowers, the frames too. The next day she took plastic bottle with water, so that anyone who decides to take care of the flowers can water. And … new books. Teenagers came in the evening, poured water on each other, laughed and clamored. Grandmother came out to them again and offered tea, buns, took the bottle, filled it with water and asked them to water the flowers. The guys began to come to the entrance every day, the neighbors were indignant, they even somehow called the police, but the grandmother said that it was supposedly her, her students came for books, handed out books to confused teenagers in front of the policemen and saw off the police "God bless!". There was a bookcase in the hallway. And next to the announcement: "Please! If you have interesting and important books at home that you have already read, please share! Please! And those who took it to read, please return it for those who may also need it and it is important!” The cupboard was filled with books. Flowers appeared on the windowsills on all floors. Beautiful frames with quotes too. Every evening, the front door to the entrance was left open. In the evening one could see teenagers reading books on the stairs. Grandmother put some lanterns on the windowsill to make it easier for them to read. The children were sitting in the entrance with the lights on, and it was brighter than usual ... Grandmother died. On the ground floor of our house, a Club for children and teenagers was opened. With a library and flowers on the windowsills. A flashlight has become the symbol of the Club… Do you think this grandmother can be called an Enlightened Leader? Let me explain why I started the story with "lives" and not "lived." Because it feels like she still “lives” in our stairwell, in the house, in the Club, in the city, in the country, on the planet, in the Universe. Live love. Is that right?" Let's start transforming the World from our entrance, house, district!

In Cuba, not only amazing color, wonderful people, magical beaches, but also the most delicious in Caribbean food. From melted cheese and ham croquettes to sweet plantains, Cuban cuisine offers you rich flavors and amazing aromas.

1. Known as a Cuban hamburger, a frit is a patty of seasoned ground beef (sometimes mixed with chorizo) topped with crispy potato chips, all sandwiched between two Cuban buns. Some establishments even add scrambled eggs.

2. Corn on a skewer in Cuba is prepared in a special way. It is first fried, then rolled in cotija cheese, generously sprinkled with ground chili, and finally lemon juice is added, which gives this dish a richer and spicier taste.

3. Although the traditional place of paella is Spain, in Cuba you will find a local version of this dish - there it is made from ham, chicken, shellfish, chorizo, shrimp and lobster.

4. There is nothing better than a bite of warm churros sprinkled with powdered sugar, slightly crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. This is a street food you should definitely try, because watching churros being made is half the fun.

5. You may know these balls as croquettes, but in Cuba they are called croquetas - fried balls of melted soft cheese with pieces of ham.

6. Although "ropa vieja" does not sound very appetizing (literally, the name means "old clothes" in Spanish), the dish itself is simply amazingly tasty and consists of minced beef stewed in tomato sauce. It is usually served with rice or on tortillas.

7. Plantains (a fruit of the banana family, but more starchy and contain less sugar) are a staple in Cuban cuisine. Maduros plane trees are caramelized plane trees lightly toasted to a brown, sticky and sweet state.

8. Huevos habaneros is a well-known Cuban egg dish, consisting, in fact, of eggs cooked on sofrito (a sauce of tomatoes, garlic, peppers and onions).

9. Chicharrones is a crispy fried pork rind made from either pork skin or belly.

10. Meat and potatoes, white rice and black beans in Cuban cuisine is a common dish known in Spanish as "moros and christianos."

11. Tostones, or chatinos, are fried plantains, a popular savory side dish in Cuba.

12. A relative of ropa vieja, vaka fritta, translates as "roast cow" and consists of beef marinated in lime, garlic and salt, and then fried until crispy.

13. Flan is one of the traditional desserts in Cuba; a sweet, smooth cake that looks like jelly in the icing. A firmer form is made from caramel, eggs and milk.

14. Most a big difference between Cuban and Mexican tamales lies in the fact that in Cuban meat (usually pork) is mixed with tamale dough, and not used as stuffing. Cubans also use corn to make tamales - it's not as sweet and more crumbly than American corn.

15. Lejon asado is a classic fried pork that is prepared quite simply: the whole pig is fried until crispy, and then the meat is served with mojo sauce, a spicy Cuban marinade.

16. Medianoche ("midnight" in Spanish) is similar to a Cuban sandwich and is usually served in nightclubs in Havana (hence the name). Unlike the Cuban sandwich, there is no mayonnaise in the medianoche - just ham, pork, cheese, and pickles between layers of egg bread.

17. Pulpeta is the Cuban equivalent of meatloaf, but it's not cooked in the oven. Instead, a mixture of seasoned ground beef and ham is cooked on the stovetop, with a hard-boiled egg added inside.

18. Favorite chicken dish in Cuba - arroz con pollo - similar to paella, but without seafood. The dish features rice and chicken, as well as a traditional sofrito base.

19. Costillitas are ribs with a Cuban twist: they are marinated and served with a sauce of sour orange juice, lime juice, oregano, garlic and olive oil.

20. Picadillo cua cua is the Cuban version of scrambled eggs. It is usually served with rice, and the dish also contains minced beef, eggs and plantains.

Hospitable and vibrant Cuba, with many attractions and beautiful weather conditions, attracts many of our compatriots. It's really a good place For have fun. But there are a number of rules of conduct that will have to be observed in without fail to avoid trouble.

insult Fidel Castro

If you do not want to get into trouble in a foreign country, it is better not to speak badly about its legendary leader. Cubans call the former leader of the country nothing more than a "great clever girl." By the way, those who personally saw Castro use the word “big” for a reason, because the politician’s height is really impressive - 191 cm. Most of the locals are proud of the great commander who led the Cuban revolution. "My name is Fidel Castro and I have come to liberate Cuba" is a famous quote from a man who served as President of the Council of State of Cuba from 1976 to 2008.

According to rumors, they tried to kill the legendary politician several hundred times, and information about his death regularly appears in the press. However, the famous Cuban is in good health to this day. Today he is 89.

Shine with money

Being left without a wallet on the Island of Freedom on the first day of your trip is easier than ever. History is rich in many examples of successful street thefts. Considering that the average salary of a Cuban is $10-100, petty theft is not surprising. Although today on the streets and in popular tourist places the police are actively patrolling, it is better to be careful and not lose vigilance.

kill cows

For killing a cow in Cuba, you can get up to 15 years in prison. Whereas the killer of a person will be deprived of freedom for only 10 years. Such is the paradox. Indeed, every Cuban from the cradle knows that slaughtering a cow is a terrible crime. This animal is not sacred, but all the cows of the island belong to the state. If a cow is stolen, its unfortunate owner will be forced to pay a large fine "for inadequate protection of livestock." When the cow leaves this world of her own free will or because of illness, it is necessary to call the police, who will officially testify to this fact.

Disdain home restaurants

There are cafes in Havana, which are located right on the first floors of residential buildings. In such an establishment, the owner of the house prepares dishes in the kitchen himself, and visitors are seated at the table in the hall. Among the advantages of this type of catering: enviable prices for large plates with delicious dishes and the opportunity to give special instructions to the chef. You can eat plenty of traditional dishes here. However, no one guarantees you perfect hygiene and compliance with the highest standards of recipes. Usually home restaurants are not on main street, so only the Cubans themselves know about them. One of your new local friends will tell you the way.

Be a gray mouse

When everyone around is dancing in colorful leggings, it is simply unacceptable to walk the streets in sports tights. You will be laughed at or, worse, not noticed at all! The hot climate and bright colors of tropical landscapes could not but affect the Cuban style of dressing. Cubans believe that they were not born to hide their sexuality. Therefore, they do not hesitate to wear open tops with short skirts. Young men, on the other hand, like to emphasize the relief of muscles, for which they wear T-shirts with a camouflage pattern. Of the fabrics, the inhabitants of the island prefer cotton and thin translucent silk. Tourists, in order not to get lost in this masquerade, should throw yellow and red clothes into their suitcases. Or update your wardrobe at the local market by changing into a T-shirt with a portrait of Che Guevara.

quit smoking

Tobacco prices on the island are set by the state. High-quality cigars, rolled by the master right in front of your eyes, will cost $150 for 20 pieces. Not the cheapest pleasure, but experts say it's worth it. For those who stick to only good habits, it will be interesting just to watch the process of making cigars.

Skip the mulatto show

Incendiary Latin American dances captivated the audience 70 years ago. The first Tropicana cabaret in Havana opened in 1939. At that time, it was not at all easy for Cubans to get a job as a dancer in a troupe, for this it was necessary to withstand a big competition. Today, the concept of the show has not changed much, but the audience still enjoys the riot of colors and is thrilled by the plasticity of local mulattoes and mulattoes. One scale of the holiday is worth something - up to 250 singers, dancers and musicians in costumes of all colors of the rainbow can fit on the stage! They say that Al Capone specially came to Cuba and did not spare any money to look at the enchanting performance.

Be greedy

When leaving your hotel, leave your shampoos and other unspoiled hygiene products to the staff. Many of them will not even hesitate to “quietly” ask you about it. It is really not easy for Cubans to get hygiene items that are familiar and inexpensive for us. One Cuban food basket is worth something: a dozen eggs, a liter of vegetable oil, 2 kg of sugar and rice, a kilogram of beans and some meat. And all this for a month! Ordinary Cubans are forced to save on the bare necessities. Life is especially hard for retirees. $10 is the average senior pension on Liberty Island. Therefore, a small tip for the staff can be a lifesaver. No need to be angry if the average Cuban asks for a drink at your expense. After all, his wallet may never have had as much money as you spend on lunch.

abuse hot water

In the homes of Cubans, there are constant power outages, problems with cold and hot water(some apartments have self-made water heaters, which sometimes even shock), and the majority of the population lives in old, literally crumbling houses. This picture can be observed walking along the old streets of Havana and looking at the balconies hanging from the floors. But the inhabitants of the island are so pleased with the freedom in which they have been living for the last half century that they have not yet dared to protest.

It is not customary to talk about everyday difficulties in the press. But we know how real Cubans live. Therefore, in order not to offend the feelings of those people who survive from water to bread, it is better to wash yourself at home!

Play dominoes with Cubans

Cubans are called grown children because the inhabitants of Liberty Island are ready to play and dance all day long. So, in the evenings, there are tables for dominoes at every step. Hot battles are discussed by the whole court, not only amateurs come to look at the "championships" board games, but also simple onlookers. If you plan to beat the local masters, then prepare well for the game and learn some Spanish. Remember, the average Cuban has years of training behind him!

Surprisingly, there is a real Soviet restaurant in Havana! Here you can taste dishes of Russian and Ukrainian cuisine. On the menu: cabbage rolls, borscht with donuts and chicken Kiev. In addition, only in this establishment they serve a super scarce product on the Island - real white sour cream! The atmosphere of nostalgia for close relations between countries is created by Soviet posters about the friendship of peoples and friendly Russian-speaking waiters.

Ignore folk art

In the market, of course, you have to bargain. It is curious that after lunch at this bazaar, prices are reduced. Probably, well-fed sellers at this time of day are more happy with buyers. Take note.

Conveniently located near the market bus stop and a brewery that brews three colors: light, dark and black.

Do not put your body to the test by introducing it to the local water. Refrain from drinking water from taps and pumps, and do not drink water in hotels and other establishments. The most acceptable option is to quench your thirst with bottled water.

It will be more difficult with food: being on the island, do not try national dishes almost a crime. Try to taste Cuban dishes in restaurants and cafes, in public catering establishments. Avoid private eateries far from the center locality. Medical insurance will not cover your unsuccessful tasting of local alcoholic beverages. Do not abuse alcohol!

Do not abuse the sun's rays, avoid acquaintance with the insects of the island

You should not leave the room if you have not protected your skin from the sun's rays. Getting burned on a hot island is quick and easy.

Mosquitoes, midges and other insects that interfere with a pleasant stay are also found in Cuba. Use creams, sprays, sprays to avoid meeting with the little inhabitants of Cuba.

Illegal rental housing in Cuba

Not allowed in Cuba local residents rent housing. If tourists take advantage of the offer of Cubans who violate this law, they will also deal with representatives of the law on this issue. Do not overshadow your vacation with a meeting with the Cuban police.

Rules for taking photos and videos

When you capture your trip around the island with your camera, pay attention to the objects that fall into your lens. photograph the military government agencies, buildings, bases, police posts prohibited. To shoot local colorful residents, you need to agree with them in advance.

Change your "gray" wardrobe to bright clothes

Going to a Cuban holiday, do not miss the moment associated with your appearance. A man in a tracksuit at a carnival will look strange. Bright colorful light clothing would be appropriate at such an event. You will see how Cuban women and men love to expose themselves. We do not urge you to do the same, but you should dress appropriately for the holiday. And don't miss the show of mulattos and mulattos at the Tropicanka cabaret. Already there a riot of colors in clothes is welcome.

Don't Quit Smoking in Cuba

Cuba is not a country where you should "quit" smoking. Cuban cigars do not give any chance to forget about a bad habit. But remember that smoking in public places on the island is prohibited.

Not sure - don't enter the water

Going to the beach or looking for a place where you can swim, carefully look at the signs prohibiting entering the water (red flag). You can pay a fine for swimming naked: nudism is prohibited in the country.

As in many other countries, there are moral standards that are unfamiliar to foreigners. Further, we offer to get acquainted a little closer with the customs and traditions of this country, using the example of what is not customary to do here, as well as tips that will be very useful to tourists.

insult Fidel Castro

Shine with money

Being left without a wallet on the Island of Freedom on the first day of your trip is easier than ever. History is rich in many examples of successful street thefts. Considering that the average salary of a Cuban is $10-100, petty theft is not surprising. Although the police are actively patrolling the streets and popular tourist places today, it is better to be careful and not lose your vigilance.

kill cows

Disdain home restaurants

There are cafes in Havana, which are located right on the first floors of residential buildings. In such an establishment, the owner of the house prepares dishes in the kitchen himself, and visitors are seated at the table in the hall. Among the advantages of this type of catering: enviable prices for large plates with delicious dishes and the opportunity to give special instructions to the chef. You can eat plenty of traditional dishes here. However, no one guarantees you perfect hygiene and compliance with the highest standards of recipes. Usually, home restaurants are not located on the main street, so only Cubans themselves know about them. One of your new local friends will tell you the way.

Be a gray mouse

quit smoking

If you didn't get rid of the bad habit in Russia, don't even try in Cuba! Cuba's main export product - tobacco - is sold here at every turn. The manufacture and sale of tobacco is under special state control, and only purebred Cubans work on the plantations. As many famous lovers of Cuban cigars said: "A good cigar is a symbol of a prosperous life." Sigmund Freud, Winston Churchill, Angelina Jolie, Schwarzenegger only smoke Cuban cigars. And John F. Kennedy outwitted everyone and, before imposing an economic embargo, bought 1,200 Cuban cigars.
Tobacco prices on the island are set by the state. High-quality cigars, rolled by the master right in front of your eyes, will cost $150 for 20 pieces. Not the cheapest pleasure, but experts say it's worth it. For those who stick to only good habits, it will be interesting just to watch the process of making cigars.

Skip the mulatto show

Be greedy

abuse hot water

Cubans have constant power outages in their homes, problems with cold and hot water (some apartments have makeshift water heaters, which sometimes even beat with current), and the majority of the population lives in old, literally crumbling houses. This picture can be observed walking along the old streets of Havana and looking at the balconies hanging from the floors. But the inhabitants of the island are so pleased with the freedom in which they have been living for the last half century that they have not yet dared to protest.
It is not customary to talk about everyday difficulties in the press. But we know how real Cubans live. Therefore, in order not to offend the feelings of those people who survive from water to bread, it is better to wash yourself at home!

Play dominoes with Cubans

Cubans are called grown children because the inhabitants of Liberty Island are ready to play and dance all day long. So, in the evenings, there are tables for dominoes at every step. Hot battles are discussed by the whole court, not only fans of board games, but also simple onlookers come to look at the "champions". If you plan to beat the local masters, then prepare well for the game and learn some Spanish. Remember, the average Cuban has years of training behind him!

Forget about the "Soviet restaurant"

Ignore folk art

From Cuban bazaars, you can and should bring exclusive paintings by local artists. Such a contribution to the interior of the house will be the most successful, while the banal tourist magnets and seashells are already rather fed up. The Havana Market on the waterfront (where San Jose's port warehouses used to be) is the most suitable place for original purchases. Moreover, the cost of paintings here is much lower than in the galleries and shops of the city.
In the market, of course, you have to bargain. It is curious that after lunch at this bazaar, prices are reduced. Probably, well-fed sellers at this time of day are more happy with buyers. Take note.