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The government is now waking up to the critically deteriorating conditions and has started renovation projects gutting the insides of these buildings while maintaining the striking exteriors. Much of this is happening in the revitalization of Old Havana.
Below is a "before" and "after" picture of a building in Plaza Vieja, located in Old Havana.
The second picture is one of how the plaza appeared when we were there with much renovation completed.
"Before" and "After"
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Plaza Vieja - February 2013 |
Many other buildings and homes have been renovated and upgraded as well.
People are now able to own their real estate. They just have to have the money to buy it and keep it up.
They are letting the families that first settled in the houses to remain and are resettling the others. This of course is a major undertaking and it has only recently begun.
So what about those who can afford to buy their own home and better luxury items? There was a CUC Mall across the street from my hotel in Havana. I saw refrigerators there for $2,500. Where are the people getting the money from if they only make $30 a week? We were told that many people hold more than one job. Also, people are now allowed to open their own private business or provide services for money. One example that comes to mind is what I did years ago to make extra money and that was to tutor. Another example that I saw right in front of me was our tour guide and driver. Their basic salary once again is equivalent to $30 a week. We were advised to tip our tour guide a minimum of 25 CUCs and the driver a minimum of 15 CUCs. With 32 people on the tour that makes 800 CUC for the tour guide and 480 CUC for the driver. Many people gave more. The CUC is almost on par with the dollar, so $800 a week, which if he works 50 weeks a year is $40,000 a year, not bad! Remember, many everyday items cost about half of what you would pay in the U.S. and health care and education is free, so the $40,000 is probably the same as earning perhaps $70,000 in the U.S.
CLICK HERE for a Cost of Living comparison between Fort Lauderdale and Havana.
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