The Cuban beach incident and Goodbye Cuba

Back in Havana I had met this Argentinian guy Martin. A friendly person with limited English. Martin, James and I planned once more to go to the beach. In this Cuban heat beach trip was a great idea on any given day. Martin suggested that we go to a non tourist Cuban beach in a Cuban bus instead of the normal air conditioned tourist bus. Having paid 2 pennies bus fair, holding on tightly to our belongings in a tightly packed sweaty bus, standing the whole way, we arrived at the beach 2 hours later. Apart from us the only other foreigners on this beach were a Finish couple snoozing under the sun. Water was quite shallow for at least a 50 meters into the sea but very clear and clean so you could see right to the bottom. It was calm and cooling. Possibly one of the best beaches I had ever been to. No tourist resorts, hotels or bars in sight.

After some time, while standing in the water, I saw a suspicious looking Cuban guy hanging around on the beach in distance. Few minutes later I saw him going through the Finish couple's bag while they lay asleep and unaware. Martin started walking toward him and he stopped. He explained that he was a police officer and that he was just making sure that us tourists are fine. He went on his way. Later James and I were lying on the beach while Martin went for a walk. The Finish guy had got up and walked into the sea for a swim. Few minutes later I opened my eyes to the yelling of James "Oi! Oi!" I looked over and saw the same Cuban guy smothering the Finish girl's head in the sand while trying to snatch her bag. She wasn't letting go. Both James and I sprinted over there. He saw us coming, gave up and ran off away from the beach empty handed. What he didn't know that by this time Martin the Argentinian had made his way around in a circle to block his path. Martin landed his clenched fist in the robber's face. He must have seen stars at that moment but managed to make a run for it anyway.

This wasn't a tourist beach and so there were no police around to protect tourists, giving this guy an opportunity. Had he been caught robbing a tourist, this guy would have got the same jail sentence as murder, 20 year which is 20 times more than what he would get for robbing a Cuban.

After this event James, Martin and I went in search for some food. We found Cuban place. The menu had only 2 things: spaghetti and pizza for 12 pence each and then beer for 36 pence each. Hard to believe, We'd had a day out for almost a pound each. While eating, sitting across from us was Cuban girl. Martin started a conversation and bought her a drink. She was teacher and fluent in English, German, French and Italian as well as Spanish. Martin invited her over but she daren't come explaining that police could arrest her. Same old story! James and I left Martin and her to chat and got on the bus back to Havana.


The next night was my last night. Ania and Halet who ran the casa where I had been staying made a roast dinner that night for every one. We played dominoes till the early hours. I bought a bottle of rum for Halet and Ania as a gift. Ania said that when I return to Cuba she would arrange for a "familiar visa" for me which means I wouldn't have to be registered as a tourist and can avoid paying for accommodation and stay as a guest at her house.



On the ride to the airport I had time to reflect on the events of past month, the good and the bad. The bad stories always surface quicker and spread like wildfire unlike the good positive ones. My opinion: every one should visit Cuba and see it as it is now before it all changes. Although I was quite sad to leave, I was also excited about my next adventure in Guatemala.