Steven’s Cuba Blog

Do Cubans sweat?

October 17, 2006 at 3:55 pm | In Social, Culture, Villa Clara |

This title is a bit of a joke - but there’s some truth to it.

I was standing in line outside a Cadeca (Casa de Cambio - Currency Exchange) in Santa Clara the other day, with about 100 Cubans waiting to get inside to change some money. It was about 10am, and the heat was already starting to get to everyone.

I fit in perfectly with everyone else - jeans, clean running shoes, white “New Balance” tee. At first we were in the sun, but then the line snaked around under part of the building so after about 20 minutes I was in the shade.

But one thing gave me away: as we were just standing in line, not doing anything, all the Cubans looked perfectly normal, and dry as a desert, as if playing a part in some anti-perspirant TV ad. I, however, was literally dripping sweat. My shirt was drenched, and my forehead and cheeks had little streaks going down them. I didn’t have a towel handy, so every now and then I’d wipe my face with my shirt - not the best way to impress the beautiful girls standing in line with me.

After I got in and changed my money, I walked back home, took my 2nd shower in as many hours, and changed my clothes - then headed out the door again.