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Cuba Travel: Item Exchange

Cuba Travel: Item Exchange

One thing I was told prior to going to Cuba was to bring many items that I could exchange down in Cuba. I was skeptical and thought about how you would approach that when down there. So I didn't bring a lot, but brought a shirt that didnt fit, as well as a few smaller items.

While on the poolside of Arenas Blancas, I was listening to the DJ play some music and heard a latino mix of 50 Cent In the Club. I thought it was well done and wanted it. So I went up to the DJ and asked how I could get it. He offered to make a copy for 10 pesos, which I thought was a lot. So I had gave the offer of 5 pesos and we made a deal. As we were making the deal, he also let me know that money isnt as important there and asked if I had any shirts or if I would trade my sunglasses for the cd. Having my older shirt that didnt fit, I came back with it and made the exchange for the CD. What was useless to me, came in handy in getting something down there. And it came in handy to the DJ, as for most of the rest of the week I seen him wearing the shirt I had just given him.

It works down there like that with most of the workers. I was going to get a drink at the bar, when the one Cuban worker was like how much for the shorts. And when I said I don't remember, he wanted me to give them to him in exchange for whatever he could get me and I wanted. I never made this deal, but I probably could have exchanged for quite a bit with them.

I also traded in another older shirt to a person selling souveneirs. They are quite happy exchanging items for their souveneirs, as they aren't able to get these items down in Cuba as readily as we can in Canada.

Lesson from all this? Bring older shirts that arent ripped, and other good clothes that are of no use to yourself, due to being to small or other reasons. Use that instead of money to get many souveneirs and collectibles you will be bringing back.

Also, using these items as "tips" for workers, or the hotel cleaners helps ensure the cleaners do a great job with your room. We had left small items such as hair clips to the female workers, and they had written us a note saying thank you and to have a great trip. They always made us different designs with the towels they left, such as hearts and swans. Leaving a little goes a long way there, and our room was always clean. They should do this anyways, but its like tipping someone at a restaurant or bar here. If you tip, the worker is more happy to help you.

Regards,

Michael Kralj
Get Cheap Domain Name Registration for your Cuba Travel web site.

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