Why did we go?
The "short" story: Having spent most of my life in Miami, I've always had a curiosity about Cuba and finally took this wonderful opportunity to visit.
The "long" story: At a diving Expo in Houston, TX last year, I picked up some brochures advertising "Scuba Diving in Cuba". Upon seeing them, Leisha said "Let's go for our 40th!" This is probably what sparked our desire to go. We also wanted to go somewhere "different" for vacation and we decided Cuba would provide just that level of adventure.
How did we get there?
We booked the trip through Cross Cultural Solutions, a special touring organization that arranged our flight from Miami (yes, Miami!) directly to Cuba on a special charter flight. The airline was Gulfstream Airways. We flew to Cuba on a 737 that was operated by (leased from?) Continental Airlines. On the flight back we flew on a smaller aircraft owned and operated by Gulfstream.
CCS provides a "Mini Peace Corps" type of experience to locations such as India and Peru. Also included in their locales is Cuba. Because of the format of this trip we spent no time lying on a beach, fishing, diving or doing other typical "vacation" sort of activities. Instead we visited and spoke with people involved in: an agricultural co-op, a social services organization that helps women and families in need, a farm, a tobacco factory, a children's hospital and more.
For more information trips to Cuba and elsewhere, visit: www.crossculturalsolutions.org.
Did we enjoy the trip?
Yes, but it didn't blow us away. In may respects, Cuba was not unlike other developing countries we've visited. However, due to the embargo/blockade and its proximity to the U.S (90 miles)., Cuba was unique in many ways. For a wonderful summary of this trip, please see fellow traveler Matt Young's article from the Delaware News Journal.
How was the food?
Not great, just OK. Nearly every meal was chicken with rice and beans but the latter was in the form of moros (both combined) which is generally dryer and not as enjoyable. In fact the first thing we did upon returning to Miami was to take two of our tourgroup friends to eat some GOOD Cuban food. I wanted to show them MY Cuba! During their 4 hour layover we took them to La Carreta on calle ocho for some wonderful ropa vieja, palomilla, arroz blanco con frijoles negros y una llave fria!
How were the people?
The people in Cuba were extremely friendly. I felt almost at home (because I was almost at home.) In fact, most of the people thought I was Cuban or at least had Cuban parents.
Would I go back?
I would love to travel back to Cuba sometime but it would hopefully be during a time when there's more money pumping into the place. It seemed like a typical developing country but many things I saw and heard led me to believe there were deeper problems (as we all know.)
What would happen when freedom (and the commerce that comes with it) finally
arrive in Cuba?
Your answer might be found here. The
Havana Project - A comprehensive strategy for promoting culturally sensitive
growth in a Post-US-embargo Cuba.
