Licenses
After Raoul Castro become the President of Cuba, private enterprise became possible. But to have a private enterprise, one must first have a license. The initial cost is fairly small (based upon the type of enterprise, of course) but then the entrepreneur has to pay tax on his/her earnings.
For example, the bicycle taxis driver must have a license. These are the guys who took us to the farmer’s market one day (the woman displaying the license is our tour leader).
The seamstress working out of her home needs a license,
People who own private restaurants (paradars) pay a lot for a license, then about 50% or profits in taxes. And, of course, vendors on the street have to have a license
Even the ‘living statues’ who come alive when you put some money in their basket (the guy on the right in the pictures is NOT a statue, he’s one of my fellow travelers, who put some pesos in her basket and turned her into an automaton).
And, not but not least, dogs! (Who apparently have the right to ask you for a tip to allow a picture).
Havana, Cuba
4/11/18
Posted from the US 5/20/18
Mary's Travel Blog 