Cuba is a “melting pot”. The races have so intermingled that it is impossible to categorize the population’s mixture with 100% accuracy. As of 2012, the population of close to 12 million was made up mostly of Spanish and Africans. About 64% of Cubans consider themselves white, or of Spanish descent. 27% of the population is mulatto and mestizo, and 9% is black.
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With Our Personal Tour Guide in Habana Vieja |
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Crafter in Trinidad |
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With the Bartender, chef and waitress at El Zaguan in Havana |
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With Chambermaid at Palicio O’Farrill Boutique Hotel in Havana |
A very small number of the country’s Chinese population lives in Havana’s Chinatown, where at one point, this area, known as Barrio Chino, was said to have been the largest in Latin America. However, today, the Chinese population has almost diminished, and/or blended into the Cuban culture, and the neighborhood (Barrio Chino) has lost most of it’s splendor.
Most Cubans are Roman Catholic. There are also Protestants and a small Jewish population. Before the revolution, there were close to 20 thousand Jewish people in Cuba, mostly seeking sanctuary during WWII. Now, there are a few thousand. Many of Cuba’s blacks are followers of Santeria.
The Cuban people are friendly, outgoing, stylish, and a s helpful as can be. If my group even looked a little confused, there was a passerby at the ready with directions, information, or legitimate suggestions.
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Artist in Trinidad |
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With Artists at the Rumba Festival in Habana Vieja |
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Stylish Teens in Habana Vieja |
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Stylish Toddler in “Jellies” in Pinar del Rio |
Newly passed regulations now allow for some forms of capitalism. The Cubans are very hard-working and are known for their entrepreneurial skills. To be able to branch off (somewhat) on their own is a huge stepping stone for them, and an opportunity that they do not take lightly. During our visit we met an English professor-turned-independent tour guide, grammar school teachers, paladar (both small and large) owners, artists, fishermen, musicians, farmers, concierges, chambermaids, doormen, a dentist, bartenders, a cigar-maker, tour bus drivers, IT specialists and chefs, to name a few. Each and every one of these people, worked their craft with noticeable passion.
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Cigar Maker in Vinales |
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Cocktail Crafter at Cueva del Indio in Vinales |
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With Constelacion group members at Hotel Nacional de Cuba |
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Doorman at Palicio O’Farrill Boutique Hotel in Havana |
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Farmer in Pinar del Rio |
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Fishermen in Havana |
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Teacher and Students in Trinidad |
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Musicians at La Moneda Cubana in Havana |
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Note From Chambermaid in Trinidad |
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With Artist in Havana |
One thing I can personally say about the Cuban people is that they truly made me not want to leave them.
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Concierge at Palicio O’Farrill Boutique Hotel in Havana |
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With Tour Guide in Havana |
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My Favorite Farmer in Vinales |