CubaHeadlines

Tourist's Reaction to Visiting a Havana Housing Complex: "How Can People Live Like This?"

Thursday, May 16, 2024 by Emma Garcia

A tourist exploring the streets of Havana was struck by the stark contrast between the reality promoted by **Cuban official propaganda** and the true conditions he encountered during his strolls, which were far less appealing.

The disappointment he felt while visiting various spots in Havana was captured in a video posted on **TikTok** this Thursday. As he explored a housing complex in **Centro Habana**, he questioned, "How can people live in this situation?"

The traveler acknowledged that there are beautiful and well-maintained buildings. However, he also noticed that just a few meters away, there could be another building "completely destroyed."

On one occasion, he recounted entering one of these dilapidated structures "to see how people lived." His biggest shock was seeing people living with "black water flowing" through their homes.

This harsh reality led him to reflect on how **Cubans** can survive in conditions he described as "inhumane." These "contrasts" are a reality that, he admitted, "he cannot understand."

Ultimately, he concluded that "the reality of Cubans" is far removed from the image that official propaganda presents to visitors.

Stories of tourists' disappointment when visiting various cities in Cuba are frequent and recurring.

The famous **YouTubers** "Mateo and Lisanna," a couple of influencers with over a million followers on their channel, claimed after visiting the island that prices in Cuba are as high or higher than in Europe.

After visiting a supermarket and paying for a snack for four people, Lisanna stated that the prices of basic products in Havana were higher than in **Estonia**, her home country, where salaries are also higher than in the Caribbean nation.

The influencers arrived in Havana in early April to reveal to the world what they called "The Cuban Lie."

Understanding the Reality of Living Conditions in Cuba

To provide more insight into the living conditions in Cuba, here are some common questions and their answers.

What are the typical living conditions in Havana's housing complexes?

Living conditions in many of Havana's housing complexes are often poor, with buildings in disrepair and inadequate sanitation facilities. Many residents live in dilapidated structures with issues such as black water flow and lack of proper maintenance.

Why is there such a stark contrast between official propaganda and reality in Cuba?

The Cuban government uses propaganda to present an idealized image of the country to attract tourists and gain international support. However, the actual living conditions for many Cubans are far from this portrayal, leading to a significant disparity between perception and reality.

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