CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE CUBAN COMMUNIST PARTY

The Cubans are clearly hell-bent on acclimatising us to the political situation before our bodies can get used to the extreme heat as on day one, meeting one, we are to meet the central committee of the Communist Party. No pressure then.
As we all brought formal wear for such an occasion, the shorts and t-shirts remain in case for a little longer as shirts, ties, dresses and kilts are worn instead.
We set off convinced in our own heads we each resemble the fine figure that adorns porridge boxes. However, the looks from ordinary Cubans suggest we are more Charles Haughtry in Carry on Up the Kyber and it's more 'good grief' than Scottish beef.
To add to our identity crises, our meeting turns out to be an informal discussion with Teresita Trujillo, the secretary of the CP's international committee. It is no less informative as the two hour meeting proves to be completely fascinating.
Even though we are accompanied by our translator David or 'Davide', Teresita speaks perfect English and his services are not required.
She explains in depth the situation Cuba currently finds itself in and the period it has just come through.
She tells how following the collapse of the Soviet Union and Cuba's battle to adjust to the situation with the loss of much of its income and market, the country spent the best part of a decade simply trying to survive and protect the gains of the revolution.
This led to some economic reforms which resulted in to some concessions to the private sector particularly with regards to farming.
Once Cuba came through what is referred to the 'special period' the government felt sufficiently empowered to look at social planning within Cuba.
It has now in the process of improving and upgrading Cuba's infrastructure, dealing with roads and transportation.
Being international secretary, Teresita also dwelt on the international situation, however other topics discussed included climate change, the global credit crises, Cuba's political system, education and the political situation in the UK and Scotland, which she knew a great deal about.
Asked on how Cuba's political system involves ordinary people, she explained how trade unions and work places are all consulted and invited to amend government legislation.
Following the meeting we are given a tour of the Jose Marti museum and some of us also decided to visit the hugely impressive museum of the Revolution.
It is then back to our unimaginatively named 'Hotel 41' for our evening meal - the amount of food bestowed on us is frightening and actually leads to us asking if we can get less.
Like all good Scots, we then head for the pub and meet some very friendly Cubans who ply us with beer, Cuba Libre and salsa steps.
When the tab arrives, the reason for their hospitality beams on us all like the morning sun through an un-shuttered hotel window.
We empty our pockets and wander back to the hotel with faces longer than Fidel's with his beard at its grandest.
Our acclimatising is clearly not restricted to sun and socialism.