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Before moving to Cuba, it is advisable
to spend time there on a trial basis to
see if it is the place for you. You should
stay a couple months or longer so you can
experience Cuban life as it is. Remember,
visiting Cuba as a tourist is quite different
from living there. The success rate of adjustment
among Americans and other foreigners is
not nearly as high as might be expected,
so it is a good idea to "test the waters"
before moving to Cuba or any foreign country
permanently.
It is good to visit for extended periods
during both the wet and dry seasons. This
way you will have an idea of what the country
is like at all times of the year. During
your visits, talk to as many foreign residents
as you can and gather as much information
as possible before making your final decision.
The last step in making your decision is
to try living there for at least a year.
That is sufficient time to get an idea of
what living in Cuba is really like and what
problems may confront you while trying to
adapt to living in a new culture. Some people
may have to spend a couple of years in Cuba
to discover whether they can live in a culture
with different customs. Either way, a prolonged
stay may also help you adjust to the climate
and new foods.
You may decide you are more suited for
seasonal living or, as they say, 'wintering
'in Cuba for a few months a year. A number
of people spend the summer in Canada or
the U.S. and the winter in the tropics-where
it is actually summer-so they can enjoy
the best of both worlds or the endless summer.
By living in two places, they won't have
to sever ties with their home country.
Whether you will choose to reside in Cuba
full or part time, keep in mind the cultural
differences and new customs you will encounter.
Life in Cuba will be very different to what
you are probably used to. If you expect
all things to be the same as they are in
the U.S., you are deceiving yourself. The
concepts of time and punctuality are not
important in Latin America. It is not unusual
and not considered in bad taste for a person
to arrive late for a business appointment
or dinner engagement. This custom can be
incomprehensible and infuriating to North
Americans but will not change since it is
a deep rooted tradition.
There are numerous other examples of cultural
differences you should be aware of if you
are seriously considering living in Cuba.
Driving habits and traffic rules are not
always the same as in other countries. Tipping
and even bribery are expected to ensure
good service and to guarantee things will
get done. Bureaucracy tends to move at a
snail's pace, which can also be maddening
to foreigners. Since most Americans are
always in a hurry they tend to feel frustrated
by the dilatory nature of many things in
Latin America. In addition, the Latin mentality,
machismo, Latin logic, traditions, different
laws and ways of doing business, seem incomprehensible
at times. You will notice countless examples
of cultural idiosyncrasies after you have
spent some time in Cuba.
Cultural shock is the term used to describe
the reaction most people experience when
they move for a long period of time to a
new culture which is very different from
their own. Being cut off from familiar things
causes the phenomenon. Anyone entering a
new environment will experience cultural
shock to some degree. No matter how psychologically
secure you are, some cultural shock in your
new situation will confront you. Small discomforts
and adversities can easily grow in importance.
Many people experience homesickness, boredom,
frustration and even illness. How you will
like Cuba really depends on your attitude
and your willingness to adapt to living
in a foreign country.
Americans and Canadians are apt to view
their way of doing things as better than
they are done in other parts of the world.
Since every culture is different, there
is no "right way" of doing things.
The more "cultural baggage" and
preconceptions you leave behind the easier
it will be for you to adjust. The best thing
you can do is respect the different cultural
values, be understanding, have patience
and go with the flow. Also, do your homework
before moving to the country, know your
new country and follow all of the advice
we offer in this book. Learning Spanish
will ease your way.
Whatever you do don't play the role of
the "Ugly American" by displaying
embarrassing behavior and trying to impose
your way of doing thing on the locals. Don't
stereotype them and refrain from making
disparaging remarks.
Making a change in your life can be refreshing,
rewarding and stimulating. However, most
people tend to resist change. Our advice
is to try experiencing all that Cuba has
to offer.
You will meet new people while residing
in a foreign country. For some strange reason
expatriates seem to gravitate towards each
other. People who you would not normally
associate with at home become instant friends
when living abroad. So, making friends shouldn't
be a problem. Try developing a whole network
of friends for support. Being around other
foreigners with a common cultural bond will
make your new home seem less foreign.
For those of you who are lucky enough to
be living with your family, nostalgia will
be less of a factor. If you are the type
of person who doesn't make the effort to
meet people, who wait for things to happen,
you will probably find it disappointing
to live abroad. You will have to take a
positive approach to create a constructive
lifestyle for yourself in Cuba.
If you are retired or just taking a hiatus
and have a lot of spare time on your hands,
you must make an effort to stay active.
In Chapter 4 there are activities to keep
you busy. If you feel bored or at lose ends
now, you might feel more so when living
abroad. So, use your idle time wisely by
getting involved. Spanish is a good way
to spend your spare time. This is a lifetime
project, will keep you occupied and open
the door to many exciting new adventures.
Above all, Spanish will help you understand
your new culture and make living abroad
easier. For an adult starting from scratch,
learning a new language is difficult, but
can be done if you make an effort. You will
certainly have enough time. Just a few minutes
a day makes a difference. If you never learn
Spanish you will probably be able to get
by since many Cubans living in cities speak
English. However, you will be missing out
on a lot. Words, phrases, sentences and
songs pave the way for many new and rewarding
experiences. You will be surprised how much
you can learn about your host country and
improve your lifestyle in the process.
Be aware that you may miss many of the
conveniences and activities of home-hobbies,
friends, luxuries, lack of mobility, stores,
your favorite T.V. programs and other familiar
items. What you have to do is substitute
new activities and find new hobbies. If
you stay active you will adjust easily.
For example, if you are an avid reader you
can form a book club. Those people who like
to walk can organize a walking or hiking
club.
Get out and explore your neighborhood and
city. You will discover restaurants, theaters,
stores and other places where people gather.
Try all forms of public transportation to
become more mobile and discover new areas.
Studying the history, politics, poetry,
music and dance will help keep you busy
and enable you to better understand your
new culture. Remember living abroad is a
trade off: you won't have everything you
had from where you came.
Food may pose a major adjustment. So, again,
learn to substitute. It is also exciting
to discover new foods and dishes. As we
state in the next section, Cuba has many
exotic dishes and native foods from which
to choose. Since the U.S. is so close, you
will eventually be able to pick up non perishable
items on shopping trips abroad.
Under the stress of living in a strange
land some people turn to drinking as a coping
mechanism. Don't fall into this trap.
You should also be aware that it is our
comparative wealth that separates us from
people in the third world. No matter what
your present station in life, most Cubans
will view you as a millionaire.
Don't count on finding work in Cuba. It
is difficult for the locals to make ends
meet let alone for a foreigner finding work.
There are investments for those people lucky
enough to have sufficient capital to invest.
But people thinking they can find work to
support themselves are dreaming. It is best
to have an external income like a pension,
annuity or savings interests. This is not
meant to discourage you, but to paint a
realistic picture of the work situation.
Living in a foreign country is exciting
but poses many obstacles for newcomers.
Don't expect everything to go smoothly at
first or be perfect. By taking the advice
throughout this book and adjusting to the
many new challenges, you will be able to
enjoy all of Cuba's wonders and have a successful
lifestyle.
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