I just returned from Cuba - AMA

[Anonymous]

Someone pointed out aptly that for anyone who wants to romanticize communist cuba needs to inform themselves and at a minimim, should pick up a book. A great book on this topic is: Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone pointed out aptly that for anyone who wants to romanticize communist cuba needs to inform themselves and at a minimim, should pick up a book. A great book on this topic is: Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause

I don't think anyone is romanticizing communist Cuba by saying that one advantage of the communist system is that you don't have people starving in the streets. I don't know much about Cuba, but I know a ton about the Soviet Union. Life in Soviet Russia was no picnic, but it's absolutely true that (once they were past the Stalin years), people weren't starving. They might not have had meat, and the apartments might have been shit, but everyone had an apartment (even if they had to share with another random family), everyone received a pretty decent (although ideologically slanted) education, and everyone had food to eat. People had jobs, unless they couldn't work, in which case they had pensions. Once communism fell apart, you had a ton of old people and Afghani war veterans starving in the street and begging for money -- even people that were strong critics of the Soviet system felt embarrassed by that. That doesn't mean that the Soviet system was a good one. But it did have certain advantages over the alternatives.

I think it's a little ridiculous that people are beating OP up for visiting Cuba. Castro is dead. Opening up Cuba to foreigners is an incredibly important part of bringing freedom to the island. They have been isolated too long. Plus, with the type of tourist that OP is describing, I really doubt it's going to line the pockets of the ruling elite or prop up a dying system. (I have more questions about the big cruise ship deals...both in Cuba and in some other countries that have pretty distasteful rulers at the moment).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone pointed out aptly that for anyone who wants to romanticize communist cuba needs to inform themselves and at a minimim, should pick up a book. A great book on this topic is: Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause

I don't think anyone is romanticizing communist Cuba by saying that one advantage of the communist system is that you don't have people starving in the streets. I don't know much about Cuba, but I know a ton about the Soviet Union. Life in Soviet Russia was no picnic, but it's absolutely true that (once they were past the Stalin years), people weren't starving. They might not have had meat, and the apartments might have been shit, but everyone had an apartment (even if they had to share with another random family), everyone received a pretty decent (although ideologically slanted) education, and everyone had food to eat. People had jobs, unless they couldn't work, in which case they had pensions. Once communism fell apart, you had a ton of old people and Afghani war veterans starving in the street and begging for money -- even people that were strong critics of the Soviet system felt embarrassed by that. That doesn't mean that the Soviet system was a good one. But it did have certain advantages over the alternatives.

I think it's a little ridiculous that people are beating OP up for visiting Cuba. Castro is dead. Opening up Cuba to foreigners is an incredibly important part of bringing freedom to the island. They have been isolated too long. Plus, with the type of tourist that OP is describing, I really doubt it's going to line the pockets of the ruling elite or prop up a dying system. (I have more questions about the big cruise ship deals...both in Cuba and in some other countries that have pretty distasteful rulers at the moment).

Uh...ok. Virgin Lands Campaign?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Big deal. I'm Canadian. I have been six times.

I'm American and celebrated NYE 2000(partied like it was 1999).

Now with the floodgates opened --I am so glad I saw it before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Luckily, we didn;t need to visit any hospitals or need to see a medical professional. The Cuban people we spoke to were very happy with their healthcare however and claimed that in Cuba they have found a cure for diabetes and lung cancer. I have no clue as to whether or not that is even close to the truth.

I'm Cuban and have lots of family there. Anyone who tries to sell you on the Cuban health care system (or anything Cuban for that matter) is brainwashed or more likely afraid of speaking out. It's truly sad but sadder that Americans go there and think they are seeing the real Cuba.

Our friends were stationed at Guantanamo Bay for 3 years. They just returned back to their assignment in DC a few months ago. They had lots of interesting stories to tell, including how Cubans would swim pretty much every week to the base, thinking that they could get to the US via the (now eliminated) Wet Foot, Dry Foot policy. However, WFDF didn't apply to the base. Those Cubans would be sent back to Cuba within a week.

There are some Cubans who have lived on the base for 50+ years.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuban-refugees-fled-to-the-u-s-naval-base-in-guantanamo-bay-a-half-century-agoand-never-left-1421427942

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone pointed out aptly that for anyone who wants to romanticize communist cuba needs to inform themselves and at a minimim, should pick up a book. A great book on this topic is: Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause

I don't think anyone is romanticizing communist Cuba by saying that one advantage of the communist system is that you don't have people starving in the streets. I don't know much about Cuba, but I know a ton about the Soviet Union. Life in Soviet Russia was no picnic, but it's absolutely true that (once they were past the Stalin years), people weren't starving. They might not have had meat, and the apartments might have been shit, but everyone had an apartment (even if they had to share with another random family), everyone received a pretty decent (although ideologically slanted) education, and everyone had food to eat. People had jobs, unless they couldn't work, in which case they had pensions. Once communism fell apart, you had a ton of old people and Afghani war veterans starving in the street and begging for money -- even people that were strong critics of the Soviet system felt embarrassed by that. That doesn't mean that the Soviet system was a good one. But it did have certain advantages over the alternatives.

I think it's a little ridiculous that people are beating OP up for visiting Cuba. Castro is dead. Opening up Cuba to foreigners is an incredibly important part of bringing freedom to the island. They have been isolated too long. Plus, with the type of tourist that OP is describing, I really doubt it's going to line the pockets of the ruling elite or prop up a dying system. (I have more questions about the big cruise ship deals...both in Cuba and in some other countries that have pretty distasteful rulers at the moment).

Uh...ok. Virgin Lands Campaign?

That started in 1953--the same year Stalin died. So, okay, maybe there was still famine in the years immediately post Stalin (who was a disaster in every way) but people were not starving in the Soviet Union of the 70s, 80s and 90s (and I think 60s). The meat quality stank and some stuff was a PITA to get, certainly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Big deal. I'm Canadian. I have been six times.

So why haven't you done an AMA thread?

[Anonymous]

OP, I am going next month and would like a list of restaurants as well as tour guide. Friends that recently went did day tours and had nobproblrm getting visas in Florida without full itinerary. Did you get insurance? If so, where? I am also traveling with a 1 year old. Is umbrella stroller fine? Did you bring car seat with you? What kind? We are staying in an Air BNB in Havana for 5 days. Any trips we must take? I feel like the tour companies that sell people to people are taking advantage of Americans since the rules have relaxed. If you have a tour guide you recommend, I'd love to have it.

Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so proud, OP? You spent money in a country that oppresses its people. The locals will never see that money.

Like America? China? Every country on earth?

Np...you are comparing America to China? Seriously? Don't you know any history?

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine went there on a photographry tour with her husband. They complained there wasn't enough food for them and no they are not gluttons. They are quite skinny. They also saw a lot of poverty and they thought it was really sad and dirty. My friend was able to wander one afternoon. Her husband was asked if he wanted any prostitutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine went there on a photographry tour with her husband. They complained there wasn't enough food for them and no they are not gluttons. They are quite skinny. They also saw a lot of poverty and they thought it was really sad and dirty. My friend was able to wander one afternoon. Her husband was asked if he wanted any prostitutes.

Prostitution happens in about every single country. The food there is amazing and plentiful (to tourists of course).

[Anonymous]

Everything I've read said the food in Cuba sucks. You must have poor taste, like literally.

[Anonymous]

I'm not understanding the obsession with Cuba. There are more interesting, comfortable beautiful places to visit and still experience authentic culture. Mexico City, Oaxaca.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not understanding the obsession with Cuba. There are more interesting, comfortable beautiful places to visit and still experience authentic culture. Mexico City, Oaxaca.

Different strokes. I don't get fascination with London, Japan, Thailand, Mexico City, Jamaica, Russia, Florida (except the Keys), Paris either but I don't judge people that want to go. I also don't call it a fascination if someone chooses to do a cheap trip there. For us, it was a $250 2.5 hour flight and a $200 Air BNB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am going next month and would like a list of restaurants as well as tour guide. Friends that recently went did day tours and had nobproblrm getting visas in Florida without full itinerary. Did you get insurance? If so, where? I am also traveling with a 1 year old. Is umbrella stroller fine? Did you bring car seat with you? What kind? We are staying in an Air BNB in Havana for 5 days. Any trips we must take? I feel like the tour companies that sell people to people are taking advantage of Americans since the rules have relaxed. If you have a tour guide you recommend, I'd love to have it.

Thanks!!!

Just realized my Southwest ticket includes medical insurance. Would love to hear about rest. Did you try Habana 61?