Republic of Cuba - Peter Varholak

Dear Toastmaster, ladies and gentleman.

Do you fancy to visit country that is exotic and where a lot of people speak russian?

Recently i had been on the vacation in really amazing country. Welcome to Cuba, where tomorow they will be where we were yesterday. Literally.

You can see old american cars everywhere. You may ask: "How old is this one?" 60 years. Whaaat? And is still keeping together? My father is almost same age as this car! Some buildings look really old like no one cared about them at least half of the century. You want to get to sixht floor? Use lift from the same year as toastmaster organization was founded. 1924! But don´t worry it is safe. I remember that I don´t have death insurance. But ride just begun and while I am enjoying I silently whisper in nomine patri et filius et spiritus sankti. Amen. You can see policemen everywhere. But believe me they are there for your protection to not loose money or not to get romantically involved with local women or various combination of these two. Everybody that has something that can drive is a taxi driver. Car, bus, horse coach or even motocycle can take you where ever you want to go. For nice price of course.

Do you want to smoke cigars? It is beautiful country to start doing it. They are even able to show you how you can prepare yours while smoking one and drinking mojito with triple rum in it. Everyone has brother, cousin or friend in a cigar factory. And everyone wants to get advantage of tourists so better count two or three times everything. I know what I am talking about. I almost lost 200 dollars in transaction in official bank! Also try to find out minimum prices for services and than negotiate. Why to pay for example for cigars 100 pounds when you can have them for 25.

To them belong whole paragraph of my speach. When they see you are tourists they send kisses, waving at you from distance, folowing you, trying to talk with you or trying everything possible to catch your attention even when something fall from their hands. Gentleman do you want to feel like georgeous woman? Try this country. Let´s imagine that you are sitting in a club. You are sitting there alone maximum 5 minutes. I wanted to dance salsa. I had been standing with a beer infront of me like a defence like most of the man in the clubs in London. I literally just turned head and one girl approached me asking if I want to dance with her. I said like 4 times that I am ok and she left. How long do you think took till another girl appeared? 10 seconds. Maybe less. And she had been cute so I stayed to dance with her. And what a dance...

Last night had been very emotional. Two girls sitting on a balcony, singing really sad song. Moon shining along with Havana city lights, lighthouse in distance, fire on the chimney where they produce gasoline. A lot of storm clouds with lightning inside of them but without thunder. Just silent night with sad song...

Cigars, mojito, amazing women, beautiful beaches, but watch out. This is Cuba.