Making a Living in Havana

If you're a visitor to Havana, you're sure to notice that there are a lot of attractive young people around.
Many are dressed decently, and seem to be very helpful and friendly.
This might seem to be in opposition to the stories you hear of widespread poverty.
Here are some observations on how what passes for an economy in Cuba works.
First off, appreciate that all financial, man-made and natural resources in Cuba are owned by the government and may only be exploited for benefit by them or under their authority. There are no private businesses, nor are any private companies allowed except in a beneficial partnership with Fidel and Raul.
All the foreign hotels, all the private restaurants and rooms for rent in private casas operate under a license and at the pleasure of the revolutionary government.
All employees of private companies (say in foreign hotels) work for the government at one price (say 10 convertible equivalents (CUCs)/month) then have their services sold to the foreign company at a higher one (say $5/hr). Each head of household receives a place to live, ration coupons and a monthly stipend that ranges from 10 CUC a month for students to thirty for a teacher or nurse and 50 for a doctor.
Ration coupons are useful as currency as goods acquired with these can be traded for other goodies.
The staple diet for Cubans is rice, supplemented by root vegetables, beans and occasionally a lucky chicken who has its food value extracted to the max.
An egg is like a chunk of gold. The story in "Mojito" about milk rationing for children is true.
Cubans are forbidden from selling any produce they grow, and I've heard that many have had anything they have grown confiscated. Entrepreneurship and personal initiative is discouraged in Fidel's Cuba, but is everywhere. Cubans are hustlers.
The end result of all this, since Cuban people are human and they have the nature of our species, is that the only way for them to survive is to scramble and participate in a black market.
The most well to do Cubans are not the doctors or even the politicians, but rather those who come into contact with turistas. Bartenders, front desk clerks, bellmen and taxi drivers are the merchant banker equivalents income-wise in the land of Fidel.
Appreciate that dollar tip that we offer to those who carry our bags is 3 days salary!
Perhaps not surprisingly with a mostly Spanish hierarchy, most of the people who are hired to jobs that interact with visitors are of Spanish heritage(although about half the island's people are of mixed race). Like most places in the world, some Cubans are created more equal than others.
A family that has someone who works in a hotel can live quite well (providing they keep the local CDR representatives happy).
Left out of this opportunity are the Cubans of African heritage.
Some with a lot of talent are allowed to perform in bands and share in CD sales and tips. But if you can't sing or play drums, you're out of luck.
So most of these untalented people, almost always young, become "travel guides" or "escorts".
If you find one that is fairly honest, they can be a great help. They're take you to the best paladares (private restaurants) and help you find the best music. They'll get a commission every time they take you to a restaurant - don't be surprised at this. It's the way they make their living.
Their dream is to sell you a box of cigars, but almost always this is a bad deal for you. Probably 60% of all Cuban Cigars sold in Cuba are counterfeits (and 95% everywhere else).
If you find a great one, don't expect to find him again next time you return. As often as not, at some point in earning their living, they will be caught and returned to whatever town in which they are designated for residence. Or worse.
As far as participating in sharing of charms of young Cuban women, I leave you to your own devices to grapple with this moral dilemma. My views on this are in the book.