So where do I begin in describing our trip to CUBA? With Cuba going through dramatic changes as we speak, this perplexing, seemingly “frozen-in-time” country is a compelling place to visit….SOONER, rather than LATER!
Have you heard that President Obama and a business contingent in excess of 1,000 visited in March…..OR that Carnival Corporation is launching its “Fathom” cruise lines for CUBA exploration trips beginning May 1st….OR that Marriott and Hilton Corporations are lobbying for building permits…OR that numerous American airlines have applied for non-charter flight access????? With such an extreme thaw in US/CUBA relations, CUBA is poised on the edge of change and many companies are looking for ways to access this market.
GO NOW…..if you can, and as I share some of our experiences, you’ll see why you must take this opportunity to visit and see all that CUBA has to offer!
The “Stars and Stripes” Flying Again in CUBA
I’ve been to numerous Caribbean islands and I’ve often viewed them as one BIG BEACH! I’ve focused on sun, beaches, more sun, more beaches. Since I’m, technically, still forbidden (as an American) from visiting Cuba’s beaches (still can’t go there to just have fun….still against our U.S. Laws), I can’t make that same categorization for CUBA. My visit there had to fall into one of 12 “sanctioned” ways to visit CUBA as an American citizen. Yes, in spite of what you’ve heard, you “CANNOT” go to Cuba “Legally” as an American Citizen without traveling in one of the 12 categories of travel authorized by general license set forth in the “Cuban Assets Control Regulations—CACR”. Note: To read the most current regulations….updated as of April 6, 2016, please see website: http so:/www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/
Ok….So enough about rules and regulations! FYI! WE went there as a part of a Tauck PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE Educational Tour.
The “Curious” Members of our Group
I can honestly say I did not know what to expect in Cuba. Were we going to have a decent place to stay? Were we going to enjoy the food? Would the people be welcoming? Did they REALLY have cars from the 50’s? Would we find art and history and culture worth delving into? I’ll try to address each of these thoughts with pictures and words and let you form your own opinion.
1. Did we have a decent place to stay?
As we drove up to the Melia Habana Hotel my eyes nearly popped out of my head. This place looked far better than I imagined. Not a five star – – but who needs that! Way better than I imagined. Had a ball staying there!!! See for yourself….
Driving Up To the “Melia Habana”
Pool & Ocean Views From Our Room
Swimming Anyone?
The Lobby Was Impressive!
Really Impressive!
2. How about the food? Fabulous Food, Lots of Rum, Enuf said!
RUM!!!!!!!
LOTS of RUM!!!
GOOD FOOD!!
MORE Good Food!
EVEN More Good Food!
Local Seafood…Yum!
There’s ALWAYS Room For Chocolate!
3. How were the people? Entertaining, Kind, Fun, Industrious, Talented, Welcoming....
Keeping the Colon Cemetery Clean & Tidy
Taxi Anyone?
Working the Land
Giddyup!
The “Cutest” Smiles…..
4. What about the old cars? Antique cars everywhere and in AMAZING condition! What a thrill when we rode in them.
We LOVED the cars!
The Queen’s Wave!
Are They Cool, Or What?
Beautiful!
Totally Beautiful!
5. Any art, history and culture?
We had several opportunities to delve into Cuba’s artistic side. Between the street performers, live music and artists, we came away impressed and wishing for more.
Great Music With Dinner
“Pay” The Ladies For A Kiss!
Isn’t She Lovely!
Great Performers!
More Great Performers!
Artist, Lorenzo Lopez, At His Home
Delightful Kids at the “Boys & Girls Club”
Great Voices
Art at the “San Jose Artisans Market”
More Options at the Market
If I haven’t yet peaked your interest, I can also share that we met with a number of locals who shared various aspects of their lives.
From the…
Former Cuban Professional Baseball Player, Rolando Macias Rodriquez, who mezmerized us with the story of his life as a Cuban star who was thrice recruited by US teams. Imagine having to choose between US fame and fortune and giving up your homeland!
Rolando Macias Rodriquez…Retired Cuban Pitcher
To the….
“Marlboro Man” tobacco farmer who showed us that living off the land is both honorable and profitable…..
Explaining the process of tobacco farming
And “he” can roll also!
To the....
“Cigar Roller” …. Who took pride in creating masterpieces…
Now, “HE’s” a professional roller!
And David enjoyed the fruits of his labor!
To the…
“Organic Farm Owner” of Finca Paraiso…. Beautiful crops, sumptuous food and fabulous views….One of the best meals ever in the countryside hours out of Havana.
The “Owner” was delightful!
The Land was beautiful!
The Crops were sumptuous!
And the FOOD was “WONDERFUL”!
I could dwell on our trip to Cuba for longer but I won’t. I’ll just say go and see for yourself! You’re bound to come away with a perspective different from the one you arrived with….At least if you’re open to seeing things with new eyes!
So now, you’ve seen words and pictures depicting our trip which offer one dimension to our trip. If you’d like to have an emotional dimension offered through some of the performances seen during our trip, please CLICK HERE to see David’s amazing video.
