Tyler Wayne Patterson
My life in Cuba has been exiting, lively and active. But now that initial excitement has wore off, the lines for banks and inconsistent stocking at tiendas are becoming starting to feel more mundane. Here are some basic needs (perhaps wants) that one will have, and how to come across them.
Water
I like to buy 5000 ml jugs of water. But the nearest tienda I have found that supplies this size is quite far. Though it isn’t an exhausting walk, the walk is more hard with two 5000 ml bottles of water in the Cuban sun (and I’m too cheap for a taxi). A cafetaría across the street from our home usually supplies 1500 ml bottles of water for a very reasonable price, but this last week that have run out. They do, however, have carbonated water. I happen to like agua con gas so it has not been inconvenient.
Food
Produce and processed foods are found in different stores. This makes shopping a more extensive experience. You never know what any tienda has, and there are usually few options. Many of the options, like the Cuban cereal selection, are not very nutritious. Because I am usually away from the kitchen, and don’t have the time to cook timely options like rice and beans, I usually choose to eat out. You can find a decent meal of Cuban food for around two US dollars.
The family that owns the home I live in prepares a breakfast of Coffee, Pineapple, Guyaba, White bread and fried eggs for two US dollars.
If you really want to eat cheap, you can find sandwiches or Cuban peso pizza around. I finally found a really good pizza place on the Malecon.
Money
As of March 1, 2015 US credit cards should work at Cuban banks to withdraw money. However, they don’t. Most of us brought in Euros or American Express traveler’s checks to exchange once we are here. Once here it is difficult to get funds not brought in. There are two options I am aware of: Coordinate with an American coming to bring money, or wire funds through Western Union. But living here is very cheap—One can live very comfortably for less than 10 dollars a day. Perhaps less if you’re thrifty. The average cuban makes about 25 bucks a month.
Dry Goods
Cubans are very fashion-oriented. Clothing stores as we know them in the United States don’t exist in Cuba, so most students I am friends with get their clothes from friends and family off the island. I arrived with a terrible selection of shoes, and managed to find a trendy outdoor shoe market with cheap but uncomfortable shoes (think Forever21 or H&M shoes but even cheaper). There is also a knock-off Nike store I’ve been meaning to check out.
I brought toiletries and beauty products in with me. Tiendas will sell one or two options of items like shampoo or toothpaste, but they aren’t familiar brands to me. I never thought twice about walking down an American aisle and literally having 100 options of toothpaste in front of me. The big box store style of shopping starts to feel a little ridiculous when you’re shopping in a store with only one option.
Alcohol
Rum is cheap, good and everywhere.
Bathrooms
Today I went to use the bathroom at my school. I asked the woman at the desk for a key, only to find out that the bearer of the key was at lunch. I had to go to another building to use their bathroom. You’ll need your own toilet paper usually, and most restaurants don’t have restrooms. My advice? Go whenever you have the opportunity.