Santa Clara

From Cienfuegos, which is in the south, by the beach, we head north to Santa Clara. The purpose of this visit is to see the Che Guevara Museum and monument. He and all his guerrilla compatriots who were killed in Bolivia have their remains buried here- after the documents stating their burial place was declassified and thus could be found. No photos in the museum, though they are allowed of the outer monument, which is very large and impressive.

For those who don’t know much about Che- he was born in Argentina, studied medicine, was a doctor then eventually became Fidel Castro’s first commander in the Revolution. That is a super summarised version! Here is some more information. 

With a large amount of time in the car we discuss the purchase of houses in the country. This was an illegal practice up to the point that Raul Castro took over the presidency from his dead brother.  There was one way to get a house though- though like many things in Cuba, it is complicated. I will break it down into steps J

1. You are married and have a house
2. Another couple is married and has a house
3. You want to swap houses.
4. Each of you gets a divorce-which is 4 USD and is easy in Cuba
5. You marry the lady who’s house you want
6. Stay married for a year
7. Get a divorce in which she states that she will leave the house to you
8. You now have the house
9. PS: if she leaves for America within 5 years then this gets investigated and the house belongs to the government

On the way to Trinidad we stop at a tiny hamlet where we have a lunch of beans/rice/chicken/pork and some salad. It was really pleasant, with a quiet and rural, farm setting.