adios amigos

The two systems existing in this country are so distinct and separated you probably don´t know they even exist. Its pretty much tourist aparthied.
You would need years here to fully understand the implications socialism has on this society, however spending more time with the locals you find there is a whole other world away from the much photographed salas bands and che grafitti.

As with all comunist/ socialist systems knowledge=power=freedom and so to control the population you just have to simply prevent them from finding anything out about the outside world or have the outside world find out about them. Internet access is banned (although some houses are allowed email), education is free-but all books are written by the state so much biased; but most of all they don´t want the 2 systems (that is the tourists and locals) to interact.

Talk to the people and you will find for the few that idolise Fidel the majority detest him and their way of life that has been forced upon them. They are so repressed they leave in the hundreds every night (in organised boats) from all over the country and keep trying until they either get to the US or they die. If they get caught the penalties are severe and the risks great, but for many this is the only option despite the possible consequences.
They party does not want this know and go to great lengths to enforce it ´for the security of tourists´. The segregation is so great that Cubans are pretty much banned from talking to tourists, so much so that one night out drinking on the Malecon with some local amigos over the space of 6 hours or so, all were arrested for varying excuses then released hours later without and reason, some even twice; our protestations they they were our friends only made the situation and our guilt even worse.

So what is the future? Who knows. But possibly the new mans Che/ Fidel starting a new revolution is inevitable.