Cuba: Central Havana

Walked to Central Havana to see the cigar factory. It was a working factory so we weren’t allowed any cameras or bags. It was really interesting finding out how much work goes into each cigar; some leaves have to be aged up to 2 years before the cigar is rolled. Every worker has to go to cigar school for 9-12 months to learn how to make the perfect cigar. Never been in a working factory like this before, it was very high pressured as they had to fill their quota for the day of each task or they lost money, although saying that… they were many cigars being smoked, a few bottles of rum sitting about and Michael Jackson playing which made everyone in the factory explode with excitement singing and laughing.

Capitolo is Havana’s ‘White House’ apparently it is nicer inside… we wanted to visit but it was closed for renovation. However the security guard offered to sneak us in to see parts of it if we slipped him some money… we passed.

Visited the Revolution Museum. learnt about the governments and the revolution. The museum was in the old presidential palace, and there were bullet holes in the walls from when there was an attack on the palace. There are lots of old military planes and trucks used outside and Fidel’s yacht which is enclosed in a glass building protected by 4 military 24/7… they say in case anyone tries to use it to flee to Florida…