I wish I had already gone. It will be like Cabo in a few years.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
My son was there last year and does not think they are ready for us. Not much in the way of hotels, etc. Also limited internet and it is censored.

I don't remember where it was published, maybe the Atlantic, but a while ago I posted a long article which explained essentially this.

I've been to Gitmo several times. Having had my home town of Ft Lauderdale invaded, I'd like to go go to Havana and rent a car and drive around like an ass hole just to see what it's like!

I'm here already, so, umm, yeah? Now if they would only open the North East gate I'll head over to Santiago.

quote:

Originally posted by ramtough:
Fuck no; I've been to Florida.

I LOL on that.

I would like to. I would like to take my boat and fish and snorkel some of the untouched reefs. It would be a lot of catch and release fishing just enough for a couple of meals. But I want to experience what my mom and her brothers and sisters experienced growing up in keys in the early 40s also on my dad side my grandmother grew up in key west in the teens to 20. Both sides are gringos, hell on my moms side Thomas Nelson (related) signed the Declaration of Independence. I just want to see the waters and reefs.

Nope, too many other places on my list.

I've been there and it wasn't all that great. The weather sucked, the hours sucked even more, and the beer was preserved with formaldehyde. The water was spectacular, though.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
My son was there last year and does not think they are ready for us. Not much in the way of hotels, etc. Also limited internet and it is censored.

My cousin went a few months ago on one of the "educational trips", and he said pretty much the same thing. I'm sure he didn't plan as he should have, but I won't go until they sort this stuff out for Americans.

Apparently, there is very limited access for credit cards & ATMs, and his didn't work. Since they didn't bring enough cash for hotels, they had to come up with an elaborate way to rent from American Cubans on AirBNB. To get internet, they had to wait in a long line to get internet access cards.

Other interesting things, apparently beach access is extremely limited, and you need a permit to be near or live on the beach. You know, in case you were tempted to build a raft or something. Not that it matters, because I guess you're not supposed to do "touristy things" on these education trips.

Yeah, I'll pass for now.

Absolutely no interest in going there. Even if it was all-expenses paid.

I'd like to go.

I have a lot of Canadian friends that go every year and love it. Supposedly the food sucks.

My wife went last year. She loved it.

No.

FIL, MIL, boat and crew there as we "forum". Neither of them is as happy with the trip as FIL "knew" they'd be.

MIL says it's "interesting" with "crumbling buildings and old cars".

They had to hire a "guide/ translator" for their stay and when they are ashore, the crew must stay on the boat to make sure it doesn't get stolen (and it's a BIG boat). The tender must be hoisted aboard each night so it doesn't get liberated either.

Also when ashore they are required to spend at least 8 hours a day interacting with locals...

No thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmoid:

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
The culture is interesting to me, but to be honest, I feel that traveling anywhere where poverty is rampant imparts risk. Poverty creates desperation creates unpredictability. Gringos are targets. It's probably fairly safe, until it isn't.

I can get 80% of the experience in Miami.

I like your thinking there!
But, I wonder how safe we'd be in Miami?

At least we can carry protection in Miami. Not so much in Cuba.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
In a decade, perhaps.

Yep. Like buying a car in it's first model year, better to wait.

quote:

Originally posted by GA Gator:
Cuba has long been a destination for Canadian and European travelers.

All the more reason not to go.

Grandma went a few years ago. She loved it. The pictures she took were amazing. No where near the top of my list, but if I won a free trip, I'd go in a heart beat.

The thing I thought was interesting was her cab driver bragged about earning the same as a doctor. What's the motivation to become a doctor there? Or inventor?

Just before high school graduation in 1957 a buddy was trying to talk me into joining him in fighting for Castro's forces. I considered that foe almost a minute, then completed paperwork for attending the New Mexico institute of Mining and Technology. I would not go to Cuba.

I'm not interested, but I think we can have a positive influence in helping the people of Cuba kick out the current regime.

Never underestimate the risk that you may become a "bargaining chip" or an "unfortunate misunderstanding."