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La fiesta de quince: photo session for the 15-year-old

discovered during my journey through the Old City of Havana on the edge of the Plaza I de San Francisco de Asis, a small group which is facing the adversity of the wind:
with a Cuban beauty a long black Rüschchenkleid, before it sought a stylist, the head dress of the girl to attach better. His assistant hands him the required accessories, and a few meters away is a photographer who is waiting for his cue.


Except for the color of the dress that scene fits perfectly into Cuban life. This is around 15 Birthday of the girl, who is not only in Cuba but also in other Latin American countries a major social event. Today is the birthday boy its official Childhood ended. Since that great day
is very expensive to go to him many years of planning, diligent saving and looking ahead for sponsors within the family.


The "Quinceanera," which I got to face, can probably still take pictures of other beautiful places in the Cuban capital, but always in a different dress. Perhaps it is chauffeured in a beautiful vintage convertible to the various scenes.


by the evening, instead of a lavish party to which the Quinceañera should appear in a white wedding dress. She will meet the boy, the has chosen it for this evening for a dance partner. With him and other pairs they will perform in a beautiful choreography before a large audience before in a dance class choreographed dances.


One of the highlights and the cutting of a pink cake - and of course the dance with "papá" and his little speech, break out in the far most important man in the life of 15 years with pride and emotion in tears is .


"The fiesta de quince 'is basically nothing more than the theatrical launch of a sexually active life," said me a Mexican friend. "Especially in Cuba, this should apply to all special," he adds. My Cuban friend sees it differently: "It's a special birthday in the life of a Cuban girl - no more and no less."


She had decided against such a party and spent it with his sister, parents and grandparents of two weeks in a fancy hotel near Havana. 30 years ago this was still possible. At that time, the Cubans were able to stay in a four-star hotel with Cuban pesos to pay and did not need as now, the Cuban convertible peso second currency (CUC).

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Casa particular: the cheap and friendly place to stay in Cuba

You can overnight

in Cuba be quite expensive, at least for hotel guests. Although the exchange offer hotels western standard, but the prices do not differ substantially from 3 - or 4-star hotels in France or Italy. If a person has a limited travel budget and also looks for contact to locals, should his stay on the Caribbean island in private accommodation, the "Casas particulares" spend.


Since 1997, there is a law that allows Cubans, more than two rooms for rent to tourists. The state earns too, of course: up to 200 CUC - which are about 152 € - The landlord must pay in taxes per month, no matter whether just high or low season. Given the fact that the monthly income of most Cubans is converted from 10,00 € to 30,00 €, this is a considerable sum.

Thus, the Casas particulares the hotels do not spoil the deal, Uncle Sam can always come up with new restrictions, such as the requirement that no more than two persons may sleep in one room - not very practical for families.

Nevertheless, it seems to be of benefit to many Cubans. The houses are usually in better condition than the average, in the kitchens are not missing any technical assistive devices and many landlords employ women from the neighborhood or circle of friends.

There are many private houses in cities like Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Santiago. Officially, however, they are forbidden in Cuba, where no competition is tolerated to the many hotels. A state-licensed casa particular is seen by a sign with a blue anchor.

Anyone interested in this accommodation option should consult with a possible current guide or check with other independent travelers. This also know the current price, which is a good basis for negotiation. If the recommended District is already in use to be the guests immediately passed to relatives, friends or neighbors.


recommendations of "helpful" Cubans should be treated with caution. These nice people can be provided by the owner to pay a commission ("Commission"), whereby the price is usually higher by 5.00 CUC - not once, but a day. Many landlords are keen to give their guests to colleagues ("amigas") in the next destination, whatever that may beat again with hidden extra cost of 5.00 CUC per day to book. Who on these more or less forced to contribute to Cuban aid has no desire should take care on your own to the room. In low season this is very simple, because at the bus stop, the tourists inundated with offers.

following private houses I visited on my tour Viñales, Trinidad-Cienfuegos:



Villa Basita
Carretera al Cementerio # 40
Viñales, Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Tel: 793 279 and 52,298,223


The room has two large beds and is equipped with air conditioning and a refrigerator. Basita, the landlady, is a spirited lady early 60s, which is always busy added. When the guest enters the house, she immediately offers him a coffee. In her previous professional life, she was a primary school teacher and therefore has a large network, supplying them with odd jobs. Therefore, they showered their guests with all kinds of service offerings.

is highly recommended the food, because Basita is a gifted cook. Morning at breakfast (3.00 CUC) asks about the wishes for dinner and at the agreed time they will conjure up 7.00 CUC a sumptuous 3-course meal on the table. The
room cost in low season (May) 15.00 CUC.


Hostal "Emiliana y Martín
Frank País # 559 e / Piro Guinart y Pablo P. Girón
Trinidad.SSCuba
Tel: 53 (41) -992 551
mobile: +53 52.4742 million
E-mail: edezulueta@yahoo.es

The room is smaller and darker than in the Basita, but is equipped with the usual standard: air conditioning, refrigerator with bottled water, cola and beer. Even here, the guest has its own bathroom. The special feature of this property is the style: a faithful house next to the old town of Trinidad with a beautiful patio. The owners Martin and Emiliana are retired teachers. Her friendly and at the same time unobtrusive way for me was a real treat after the business-minded to anything Basita in Viñales. The room was in the low season (May) 15.00 CUC, the breakfast costs 3.00 7.00 CUC CUC and dinner.




Nuñez María Suárez
Av. 58, 3705 e/37 altos y 39
Cienfuegos - Cuba CP 55 100
Tel: (053-43) 517 867

's located on the first floor of a house built in the 1950s. In a French guide, it is recognized as one of the best houses in the center of Cienfuegos and therefore above all French guests. The two rooms are very clean and have private bathrooms. The central location is the terrace, where guests eat and share with their roommates travel experiences. Mary is a very friendly older lady. If your room is already full, she is happy to arrange alternative accommodation. The room cost in May 15.00 CUC, the lavish breakfast 4,00 CUC and dinner 7.00 CUC.

© Marlies Moser

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Cuba: Fidel - the overlord

Fidel Castro - Cuba-father - is on 13 August, a year older. Although he has been around for some time in public life and turned his back on his private life is a closely guarded state secret. But on the streets of Havana is Comrade Fidel - as the former Maximo Lider now affectionately known is - Still omnipresent.


Whether in the form of a poster with the portrait of the charismatic old man in a green military uniform



or a slogan on a wall.

The Cuban government is committed to its citizens always remember the "good old days".



The fight for survival in the land of the defect and the hopelessness of the Cubans I met in May, beyond the colorful tourist world is hushed up.

The reason is simple:



"Without Propaganda there is no mass movement "is the socialist motto.

Fidel Castro in his now 83 years to a total of 634 attacks have survived. But what will happen when the immortal blessing now but once the temporal?