Historic Cuban People-To-People Tour, 2016

For many years I have wanted to travel Cuba to see the beaches and farm land, and get to know the Cuban people. So, in 2015, when the Obama Administration loosened ties with our southern neighbors, I signed up for a “people to people tour”, the only legitimate way to visit. It was a wise move and a fabulous trip. As the political climates in both Cuba and the US change, I am fortunate to have gone when I did. If free travel ever does occur, I will go back in a heartbeat. The Republic of Cuba consists of one large island and several small ones situated on the northern rim of the Caribbean Sea, about 90 miles south of Florida. With an area of 42,803 square miles, it is slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania. It is primarily agrarian partly due to the need to raise much of their own food. In the past, there was a thriving sugar industry, and currently tobacco is large. Today, one of Cuba’s greatest exports is doctors, a result of the mandatory education system and the overproduction of medical people. .

We flew from Miami to Camaguey International Airport, then traveled by bus through the country side to Trinidad, Cienfeugos, and Havana. Going to Cuba is a lot like stepping back to the 1950’s, thanks to an accumulation of austere requirements of the Communist-Marxist rule, then Russia leaving the country, and now the rigidity of the current regime. But, as you may have read on my earlier post, I happened to go at an historic time. Fidel Castro died the day I left for Miami. What this would mean for our tour was unknown, but the only changes due to the mourning period were no alcohol and no music. I certainly missed the music, one of the reasons I wanted to go, but considering the historic significance of the time, it was a small hardship. The people-to-people exchanges were with artists, cowboys, librarians, botanical specialists, parks managers, day care caregivers, a retired baseball player, and a wonderful cemetery guide. The food was varied and delicious. Please enjoy the photographs of Camaguey, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, and, of course, Habana . . . .

Cuba, Camaquey from flyingthree