Impressions of Santiago de Cuba

One of the highlights of our cruise was visiting Cuba, which lived up to its reputation for being musically vibrant,  and also for being very poor. 


From the heat of Revolution Square
A mad dash to the Cambio de Change
So many Cuban pesos for £20
A wad fills a pocket.
People in the street selling whatever they can - 
A handful of washers, an electrical socket -
Our euros buy us mojitos and beers
In the Hotel Casa Grande.
A walk back to port down a dodgy street,
Derelict buildings, potholes in pavements, 
To a new park on the Esplanade
Where teenage boys practice dance moves
To a cassette player. 
At night, at the Trova House,
Banging tunes, humour, sexy dancers, 
Mojitos, beer, laughter,
The singer flirts with a passenger, 
Happiness, dancing, swinging salsa hips. 
A guitarist serenades in Revolution Square
Grateful for a tip the size of a beer, 
Smiling,  "thank you,  thank you, 
I have a family", sings us another song,
Clasps his hand to his heart. 

© Copyright 2023. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.

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