Entering Cuba #SaturdaySnapshot

We got home from Cuba last Sunday. I’m going to post photos and stories from the trip on the next several Saturdays.

Amazing adventures begin after flying over the tip of Florida.Cuba has red dirt. I learned later that the soil is very fertile and rich in minerals, including iron.Our group arriving at the tiny Cienfuegos Airport. Check out that air traffic control tower!

The Cienfuegos Airport is the smallest one I’ve flown into yet. The small passenger plane we were in taxied up to two Cessnas — they were the only other planes on the field.

My first Cuban bathroom

Most public bathrooms in Cuba are tended to by a woman who doles out the toilet paper. Tips are expected.

While I was using the restroom at the airport, Rick changed money. Cuba has two currencies. We used CUCs (pronounced like kooks) which can be exchanged on foreign markets. Cuban pesos are used by Cubans to purchase basic necessities — generally in subsidized markets. For special items like TVs, window-unit air conditioners, or cars, Cubans need CUCs, too.

One CUC is worth about a dollar, but by the time we got hit up for exchange fees and the like, we got ten to fifteen percent less.

Sorry for the blurry photos of coins and bills — we were on a moving bus when Rick showed me the money.

CUC coinsCUC bills

Next week, I’ll post photos of Palacio de Valle, a palace in Cienfuegos.

Check out West Metro Mommy Reads today for more Saturday Snapshots.