Those with relatives who are visiting do better, and those in the travel industry gain all our castoff clothing and leftover shampoo and soaps. After all, most Cubans have U.S. relatives, and it's not possible to hate your cousins. The roads were full of American cars from the '50s. Filled with people heading to work, these cars act as cabs, easing the transportation shortages by picking up people lined up on the side of the road. More cars were exported from Detroit to Cuba in the 1950s than to any other location, and most of them are still on the road, converted to diesel or vegetable-oil fuel.
Vendors sell crafts in the market, crafts that are duplicated in every other stall.
The bargaining is lively and fun. Bananas are sold by the side of the road without a set price. A quarter was appreciated. A dollar was really appreciated. But there was never any begging on any street.