Some Notes from Monday's Free Walking Tour

1.  Cuba means cave

2.  White license plates versus blue license plates-the white plates belong to private can owners.  Blue plates are government owned. White plate drivers are much more willing to negotiate. 

3.  1901-1951 heavy US influence in architecture

4.  Victor Mesa is manager of baseball team of Havana.  He's been suspended over 20 items and is a controversial figure in Cuban baseball. 

5.  Marti-most important person in Cuban history.  Poet.  Writer.  

6.  80% of the economy is run by the government 

7.  School mandatory from 5-15.  High school and university optional. Must serve the government after university.  Men two years.  Women three years.  Men must do at least one year in army 

8.  Two currencies in Cuba-CUC has pictures of statues and CUP has pictures of real faces(of the same people on the CUC). 

9.  Fidel was a hero for old generation in Cuba-Johan's Grandmother has picture of Fidel and him.  638 attempted assassination attempts against him. DOCUMENTARY about this.   Now no one knows where he Cuban president lives 

10.  Dog ID cards-if dogs are living in public places they have these cards.  For example, a museum may take in a dog so they will register them with the government so people know the dog is cool to be hanging out there.  

11.  Wooden bricks in road at Plaza de Armas. 

12.  Carlos Cespedes-started war against Spain 

13.  Forts were built to defend against pirates(working for themselves) and privateers(run by governments 

14.  Havana was created in 1519 underneath a tree.  Each year on Havana's birthday, people take three laps around the replica tree that is near the harbor 

15. I saw Alex again!  I'm not sure I wrote about Alex, but he's a 17 year old kid that works for one of the restaurants.  His job is to basically talk with unsuspecting tourists(like me) and get us to go to the restaurant he works at.  

16.  Chocolate Museum smelled amazingggggggggggggggg