Traveling to Cuba

Es Cuba: The Time I Traveled to Havana

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Do any of you out there work for the IRS? No? Good. Because a few years ago, I did something that wouldn’t really fly with our federal employee friends: I packed up and went to Cuba.

Traveling to Cuba

What prompted me to do such a thing? Well, I met a girl, Andi, through CouchSurfing in New York, we were chatting over IM, and decided we were overdue for a trip. We wanted somewhere warm and tropical. We thought about Tahiti, but it was too far and too expensive. She said, “hey, I’m just putting this out there, and I totally get if you don’t want to risk it, but…how about Cuba? I’ve always wanted to go there!” Without hesitation, I said, “why not?”

Hotel Nacional: Traveling to Cuba

And within 24 hours, we had our flights booked to La Havana (Habana), routing through Cancun, Mexico.

Beaches in Havana: Traveling to Cuba

I won’t say it was the easiest trip either—rather, everything in the world that could happen to us did: plane caught on fire, money was stolen, we ran out of cash and, of course, couldn’t take out anymore at the ATM—but it was an adventure, that’s for sure.

Beaches in Havana: Traveling to Cuba

Havana itself was gritty, and there wasn’t a ton to do besides a little salsa-ing—I took lessons, and it was awesome—and stare at the stunning, albeit dilapidated, architecture that was everywhere we looked.

Traveling to Cuba

Marvel at the cars, which were also everywhere.

Traveling to Cuba

And, oh yeah, the beaches, they didn’t suck either.

Traveling to Cuba

Side note: You haven’t lived until you’ve had a fresh mojito straight from the source.

Traveling to Cuba

Or smoked a Cohiba, apparently, though I can’t vouch for that firsthand having never smoked a cigarette or cigar for that matter (my travel mates, however, did sample the goods).

Can we just talk about all the anti-American propaganda for a minute (most of which had to do with Bush, naturally)?

Propaganda in Havana: Traveling to Cuba

It was every two blocks and truly insane. I even got accosted by a military man in a bazooka for having the audacity to capture it on camera.

Propaganda in Havana: Traveling to Cuba
Propaganda in Havana: Traveling to Cuba

We stayed at the famous Hotel National for two nights when our flight to La Isla de la Juventud was canceled and we had nowhere else to go.

Hotel Nacional: Traveling to Cuba

We weren’t too bothered.

Hotel Nacional: Traveling to Cuba

Nacional also boasted this awesome “No Trumpets” sign. Good thing they gave me a head’s up as I frequently travel with my trumpet in my carry-on.

Traveling to Cuba

Though right across the street from the hotel was the U.S. Embassy, which Fidel had the decency to block with nearly 100 Cuban flags. Here’s what I gathered from Wiki: “The Mount of Flags in Anti-Imperialism Park…obscures the U.S. interest section’s electronic billboard.” Keep it classy, Castro.

Propaganda in Havana: Traveling to Cuba

Cuba was not my favorite place I’ve ever visited—not by a long shot—but it is so steeped in history and culture that you can’t not appreciate it. As for possible plans to end the Embargo? Well, I’m not so sure how I feel about that. For one thing, it’s a cultural hub that everyone should be able to visit; on another hand, it sure is nice being able to visit a place where there’s not a Starbucks and McDonald’s on every corner.

Propaganda in Havana: Traveling to Cuba
Propaganda in Havana: Traveling to Cuba

What are your thoughts on Cuba? A do? A don’t? Do you hope it will one day open up? Would you go anyway?

COMMENTS
  • March 13, 2009

    I’d love to go… but I’d love to do it this way.. or right in the beginning after the embargo is lifted (if ever). I feel the same as you do. It has been a forbidden fruit for too long, that I don’t know if we/American’s could resist the “opportunity”.

    However…..

    Look at China. Though it isn’t (nearly!) as amazing as Cuba (beaches, proximity to the U.S., etc.), we weren’t allowed in for quite some time. Once that changed… sure, there is a starbucks in the Forbidden City (blasphemy, I know. Sadly, I have supported said Starbucks) but many things still remain very “Chinese”. By “Chinese” I mean the way Mao made it. Tsk Tsk. But still, you can go to China without much western influence … if you go to the right places. This is also possibility because of their communist socialist government and the fact that they don’t allow many outside companies to do business there.. or at least very easily. Sadly, while this government is great for travelers like ourselves, it keeps the Chinese people down. Which is what the Cuban government is currently doing to the Cubans. Double edged sword. Do we try and make things better for the people who live there, or for those who travel there? Is there a way to meet in the middle?

    Not what you asked for… but somehow that is where my thoughts took me…. sorry 😉

  • March 13, 2009

    I tried to strike out “communist” and just leave socialist.. but didn’t realize this comment thing didn’t accept html. Just wanted to clarify…

  • March 13, 2009
    Camels_and_Chocolate

    Emily: I completely get what you mean, which is why I’m still a bit hesitant in my opinion. I have never been somewhere where poverty is just so ubiquitous (and I’ve been to a lot of poor countries), so in that sense, I think lifting the Embargo would be amazing for the people who live there (and of course their families in the US, too). That said, it’s exactly as you stated, Americans would not be able to resist. I think a little money is in order to bring the country up to what it should be, but I just recently returned from Guatemala City, which does have an American influence, and it was still incredibly poor and definitely not one of the prettiest cities I’ve ever seen, with crumbling McD’s, Burger Kings, etc. further littering the streets.

    (And as for the Starbuck’s thing…well, um…when I lived in Holland, there were none, so I actually DROVE TO GERMANY to get my fill. So, you know, I can’t really talk there!)

  • March 13, 2009

    To the Cuba issue- I would love to go which wouldn’t be a problem for me since I’m not an American citizen.
    To your comment about there not being a Sbux in Holland- I know what you mean. I studied in Maastricht and even though I loved that there were none there, we went to Aachen, Germany (30 minutes by bus) a few times to get our fix!

  • March 13, 2009

    Ack, feet!

    Actually, one of our contribs just got back from Cuba (and I could bore you with hours of entertaining stories of Cuba discussions from our office, let’s just say “it’s coming”). Anyway, he went via Cozumel and was detained by customs in Dallas for 3 hours. We had to fax a letter of assignment to border patrol there. Good times.

  • March 13, 2009

    one of my dream places to visit and take photos!

  • March 13, 2009

    I’ve always been curious about Cuba, but only because of it’s Forbidden Fruit status.

  • March 13, 2009
    L

    I guess I’m surprised they even let you in. Weren’t you a bit scared about your safety? If something had happened to you, no one would ever know. The beaches look gorgeous, as is to be expected of course.

  • March 14, 2009

    Oh how I would love to see Cuba, especially before the old man dies. If it weren’t for the poverty they’re forced into, I’d personally not care a jot if it never opened up. Of course I’m Australian and can go there.

  • March 14, 2009

    Oh wow. I would kill to go there and paint. My last trip was perfect, but cuba looks amazing! Love your photos!

  • March 14, 2009

    @SoniaBonia: I study in Maastricht and live in Aachen! Ha! The world is so small. 🙂

    Kristin, I think I would probably be a little scared to go to Cuba. It looks like a beautiful place, though. I really envy your courage because I imagine it can really be dangerous especially for Americans.
    I love all the pictures, as usual, but the army of flags freaks me out completely.

  • March 14, 2009

    I’m so jealous. Cuba has been on my dream list for ages. My husband knows a few people who have gone surreptitiously as well. We’re thinking of trying to go this fall is we can scrape together the money around our other trips. If not, we’re thinking next spring. I’d love to hear the details of how you went, if you booked with a company, etc.

  • March 14, 2009

    Now this was nearly ten years ago but… I spent a month in Havana and… there were plenty of American tourists in town… and a marina/yacht club outside the city was 95% populated by US boats… US flags from nearly every mast (a few Canadians and Europeans lost among the stars and stripes). The moral of this story is that if you have money, it’s a quick hop from Key West on your own transport and you won’t have to worry about those pesky border guards.

    Another option to Mexico is Montreal or Toronto – plenty of flights daily to several cities in Cuba.

    I loved it. I did feel sad about the scarcity, but I shudder at the thought of a possible return to Batista times. Still, Cuba’s changing fast. Remember the Berlin Wall? That was permanent too.

  • March 14, 2009

    I’m such a sissy that while I would love to visit Cuba, I won’t until the embargo is lifted. I’m such a “the worst that can happen, will happen” kind of person that going just seems like a bad idea.

  • March 14, 2009

    I don’t know how you did that. What were people like to you?

  • March 14, 2009

    ahh the no trumpets sign! Love it!

  • March 14, 2009

    cuba is a country that was never high up on my list but has recently moved up higher and higher to the point that it’s now pretty high up there and i’m considering going this spring or summer.

    i’m a canadian citizen though so it’s no problem for me to travel there. the reason i want to go is precisely because it’s difficult for others to go to and i want to see it as it currently is, before the embargo is perhaps lifted, and while it still appears to be trapped in another era.

  • March 15, 2009

    Kristin,

    I am SO jealous. I’ve been plotting a trip here for years and frankly, I’m just too chicken. Someday, someday, and I wanna do it soon. AND by the way, I work for the Department of Treasury and the cops are on their way.

  • March 15, 2009

    We have supported people who have traveled to Cuba as missionaries/bearers of food and clothing, but have never been. One day…

  • March 16, 2009

    I would love to go to Cuba. It’s a place that has interested me for a long time and I’ve read some interesting books about people who have travelled/lived there. Of course as a British citizen I have no embargo worries to think about, but it still seems a little bit of a ‘forbidden city’ anyway.
    Your photos are great, you should really think about publishing a travel journal with all your stories and photos, I’d buy it! :0 )

  • March 16, 2009

    lalala. i guess it’s one good thing that having canadian citizenship gets me!

  • March 16, 2009

    The photographer who did my wedding is Canadian and he has tons of photos from Cuba that are amazing. Maybe it’s his Photoshop skills…but the colors and textures of Cuba are so intruiging. I would love to go sometime.

  • March 16, 2009
    Janet

    interestingly enough. I don’t believe that is actually an “embassy” because there is no “ambassador” I forget what it’s actually called. Same thing, really, though 🙂 And I love that y’all are using the term embargo. The US gov will say there is no embargo. I disagree. I think if it is listed, it will be awhile before sbux and macdonalds make their way down there. However, it would definitely provide the Cuban people access to things like better pharmaceuticals, building supplies, and things they cannot actually produce on their island.

  • March 16, 2009

    I just saw you won for Best Travel Blog 2009- Congratulations all around!

  • March 16, 2009

    Congrats on your Bloggie!!!!!!!

  • March 16, 2009

    I would love to visit Cuba. I actually had the opportunity to do so when I was in college (my guitar teacher takes a group there every year), but I wasn’t able to go due to my running obligations. Your pictures are gorgeous!

  • March 16, 2009

    Way to go on the Bloggie! xoxoxo

  • March 16, 2009

    First – your spontaneity is inspiring. I want to get on a plane tomorrow. Also, I would definitely go to Cuba.
    And to your point above, I am not sure that “American Influence” necessarily leads to prosperity. Think about CAFTA and a country like El Salvador adopting the American Dollar but there is still so much poverty.

  • March 16, 2009

    Holy hell, you just won a bloggie. I can say that I was once friends with the famed Kristin Luna. She even let me sleep in her guest bedroom.

    Congrats!!!

  • March 17, 2009

    Kristin, I have the same photo of that lady with a cigar in Havana !!!! I should post it some time! Don’t you just love La Habana?! I do! The food sucks, though…however, I did like pasta at La Dominica Restaurant.

    By the way, congrats on the win at the the 2009 Bloggies! (I learned this from Roaming Tales just now).

    I’m back from Israel now. So sad…:(

  • March 17, 2009

    I don’t think I’d ever just up and decide to go to Cuba. Which is why you are awesome and while I’ll just vicariously live through you!

  • March 25, 2009
    MC

    Great blog on Cuba! I’m trying to plan a trip there in May. What airline did you fly from Cancun? Did you book it in advance or when you got to Mexico?

  • June 3, 2013
    Greidy Puig

    What a shame that you were not able to appreciate all the beauty that Cuba has to offer ( besides beaches of course). One thing is the government and their ridiculous propaganda and one completely different is the actual Cuban people. Of course you have no way to tell this difference if you stay at the National Hotel. It takes time, an open mind, and a desire to truly enjoy a country like Cuba. I hope your perspective changes at some point. No traveler is ever complete without a trip to this country. Cuba suffers a paralysis since 1959. This unfortunate political situation has caused this country to remain as if time stopped on that same morning that Fidel took Havana and decided to establish his regime. Whatever your political inclinations are, the fact that this country is literally frozen in time makes it a magical experience to every traveler that knows how to appreciate its secrets. What makes this country different is exactly what makes it so special. Havana continues to be one of my favorite cities in the world.

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