What makes Cuba so unique? The world has become a much smaller place these days. You can get on a plane, sleep, watch movies and be on the other side of the planet hours later. Cuba is a little harder to visit than other places. This relative isolation has given the country a truly unique feel.
It’s a one of a kind place for sure. Yes it’s opening up more to tourists for sure! But don’t worry, this uniqueness is not going to change in the near future.
Cuba is Unique Because Time Stands Still
Many guidebooks and websites describe Cuba as “a land where time stands still” and “a living museum.”
We agree. Cuba has a unique feel, like time has stood still since 1959, when Fidel Castro swept to power. At that time, Castro seized many privately owned assets and placed them under state control. This included land and businesses owned by both Cubans and foreign companies and individuals. The United States was not happy about this, especially when Castro seized some of their Cuban-based oil fields.
This was a key factor leading to the U.S. trade embargo and the Bay of Pigs invasion.
The US Embargo
The United States embargo on Cuba prevented the import of most goods, except essential food and medical supplies. This forced Cuba to rely on its own resources, which contributed to the island’s unique “frozen in time” feel.
While some newer cars have been imported from other countries, most Cuban cars are pre-1960.
The trade embargo also limited the import of modern technology, which further adds to Cuba’s retro feel.
A Lack of Consumerism
In most places in the world, you’re bombarded with ads for the latest smartphones, cars, and junk food.
There is an obvious lack of advertising in Cuba. This lack of consumerism is part of what makes Cuba unique compared to the rest of the world. The few billboards in Cuba only have pictures of revolutionary heroes!
Chain businesses are rare in Cuba and you can’t go to a McDonald’s for a McHavana burger!
Actually there is a McDonald’s, a KFC and a Subway in Cuba. But they’re only on the US base in Guantanamo Bay and for military personnel only.
It’s quite refreshing to go to a place where consumerism doesn’t exist like it does in many other countries.
Music is Part of What Makes Cuba Unique
If you spend any time in Cuba at all you’ll see there is music everywhere. From soft sultry songs to pulsating beats that make you want to dance. This a beautiful blend of Cuba’s Afro Caribbean and Spanish cultures. It seems like almost everyone in Cuba can sing, play and instrument and dance Salsa with impressive skill.
Cuba has good public schooling with a literacy rate amongst the highest in the world. And in addition to normal school lessons, music is also taught. Therefore after 12 years of education Cuban students will have had an 3600 hours of music lessons! Which is about 8 hours a week.
They learn about Cuba’s indigenous dances and songs as well as the instruments used to play them. It’s no wonder that Cuba is such a musical place.