Cuban Carved Wooden Indian

Above, the carved wooden Indian from Cuba. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the last things I would have ever expected to buy while touring Havana, Cuba was a 5" carved wooden Indian figure.

Our tour wound up at an indoor flea market/bazaar for some shopping. I had exchanged $130 in U.S. dollars for Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC), which are used by foreign visitors to the country. By the time we reached the flea market/bazaar, I had about seven CUCs left after buying cigars and rum.

Above, inside the Havana flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did briefly contemplate buying a Cuban cap, but had second thoughts since it would not get much wearing use.

As I wandered around the aisles and looked in many vendor stalls with all kinds of souvenir goods, I spotted some wooden Indian figures of varying sizes. The 5" one had a price of five pesos. Since my home is mainly decorated in Southwest style, the Indian would fit in. So I bought it.

I ended up with two pesos (in paper currency) and some coins left over.