We left the big city of Cienfuegos and moved on along the national highway heading for Havana. Today our guide is a sweet young girl named Rosa (pronounced Rrrrrrrrrrosa). She was born and raised outside of Havana, educated by the state obtaining a degree in Linguistics, and now works for a government-run tour company.
As we rumble along the highway, Rosa speaks to us about the places we pass and answers any questions that are asked of her. She talked a lot about socialized education and how their education system worked. 
Education is free for all who would choose to take advantage. This is primary through high school and even college through to a Doctorate degree. They say that Cuba’s literacy rate is 99%. As a person moves through the system, they must perform well and pass tests demonstrating competency. When they reach a certain age and/or attain a desired degree then they must pay back their education to the government. All men serve two years in the military, and then continue paying back by working social jobs given them by the government for one more year. Women once finished with their schooling or degree, will work three years in social jobs given them by the government. There is no choice as to where or what you are given as these social jobs. They are provided based on what area the government needs at the time. That means that it may or may not pertain to you chosen field of education. 
Rosa said that this is an area that causes discontent in the population because, let’s say you were educated in Linguistics but there was a large need for construction workers, your social service job would be in that area. Not what you were trained for and you have no choice in this matter. You are placed in that area by the government and you then have to work that area for the number of years of service that remain.
Many of Rosa’s friends worked hard to get their education but then were given jobs that they hated. It is an issue that she said needs to be addressed and she is hoping that the future President will make some changes in that process.
As we crossed the island, the countryside was mainly flat and covered in agriculture. Sugar cane fields were everywhere. The country looks quite a bit like Mexico.
One of the stranger things that Rosa pointed out was what she called “The Yellow Man.” This person is a government employee who is assigned to appear at the various stop signs, pull-outs or intersections along the national highway. The Yellow Man’s job is to make sure people in vehicles were stopping to pick up the numerous hitchhikers that are looking for transportation along the highways. Hitchhiking is a common practice in Cuba. Automobiles are very expensive and common people are unable to afford to purchase them. The average monthly income for a normal Cuban is about 20-30 COCs.(COCs are the national currency – Cuban pesos; locales are paid in COCs) Automobiles run double or more in COCs than we would pay in the US. You can see that vehicles are not affordable to the average Cuban.
The Yellow Man is there to make sure hitchhikers are able to find rides in transportation that have available seats. Rosa pointed out that most autos that are on the roads are government issued autos and the drivers are required to pick up people to fill their empty seats. License plates identify government owned vehicles. Thus the Yellow Man is there to make sure that these drivers are fulfilling the government’s wishes. Drivers can be fined by the Yellow Man if they fail to pick up a full load of passengers. Strange, very strange!
I did notice that people will hold up money enticing drivers to pick them up. Hitchhiking is a big thing in Cuba and everyone tries to help each other.
We stopped at a place where everyone had the chance to use the restrooms. I took some photos of the sugar cane train. These trains were used to transport the cane to the processing mills and now they decorate many areas around the countryside.
As we entered the outskirts of Havana we stopped to view one of several forts that were built to protect the city of Havana. In early years Havana was completely walled in protecting its people from pirates and other scavengers. This fort was constructed and as the years passed and they needed more protection they added to it until all of Havana was surrounded. Most of the walls are gone, but you can still see segments of the wall remaining throughout Havana.
Havana proper is a unique city. I quickly observed how old and run down everything is. The architecture is amazing, but because it is mostly government owned, it is in need of attention. When we entered the city we stopped and did a walking tour of one of the districts within the city. People were out and about everywhere. We followed Rosa and wound through several blocks of shops, restaurants and vendors. Street vendors were constantly trying to get us to purchase their wares. One fellow followed us and did a caricature of my face. When he finished, he offered it to me. I really didn’t want it. I felt the nose wasn’t right. So I said no thank you. He gave it to me anyway.
Back on the bus they took us to our hotel where we had about an hour and a half to get changed for our dinner and evening at the Tropicana. We met up after settling into rooms and we were loaded into a very old Chevrolet convertible taxi that took us through the city to our restaurant. Riding in these open old cars was a real highlight. The drivers honked and flashed their lights; it made us feel very special.
Our meal was adequate, nothing fancy. Once finished we got on buses and were taken a little ways to the Tropicana where we were given a bottle of rum per couple and a cigar. We watched an amazing floor show executed in the old Havana style.
We went back to our room early due to the early bus departure time the next morning. We drove back across Cuba to Cienfuegos and our awaiting ship.
Back on the ship we were tired but full of information for Don and Caroline. We met for dinner at one of the ships restaurants called The Chef’s Table.
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