Our Cuba trip, in retrospect

We were in Cuba, March 2017, where we had 14 days there and entered the country under a General License for an Athletic Event, the Miami to Cuba Sailboat Race. We entered the Cruising Class, the largest class in the race, and were able to enter Cuba with very little difficulty. The race organization handled all but the CG3300 which we were responsible for.

We loved it in Cuba. And Loved the people. Loved the industriousness of the Cubans and their huge amount of Pride of Place. Everyone was fixing up property, sweeping, cleaning, painting, repairing front steps. It may sound like small steps, but the effort showed how much they cared about their home-place and on a bigger scale, their country. Which author said "little pieces of grace everywhere if you looked"... That says it all from my point of view.

And all tools and machinery were made to work and keep working. Have no vehicle, okay then, horses and oxen were put to good use.

The sugarcane fields, the banana plantations, the locally grown vegetables found at open air markets, the rice paddies, the rickshaws, lizard eater and other unique birds, guayaba paste, tobacco plantations (how cool to visit and understand how they make their tobacco flavor unique), was all just wonderful. The music and artistry was remarkable in Cuba. The display of revolutionary history was apparent and the overthrow of Batista's government is not forgotten. Cuban faces were bright when they talked about Obama and the opening of the American Embassy in Havana.

It's not all roses: poverty exists, trash exists, the government taking the majority of the earnings from
any business exists. Sure, a lot of Havana and other towns were run down. Seemingly forgotten, right next to other buildings that are well restored. Regardless of the state of the buildings, we felt safe everywhere we went. We felt safer in Cuba that some other places we've been. The Cuban people made us feel welcome.

The country has been in a 5 year drought. No question that can be seen in the countryside. But the beauty is inescapable nonetheless. We left our boat at Marina Hemingway, and took daily country-side trips and an overnight trip staying in a Vinales Casa. (Thank you to Jill B for caring for Minnie in our absence).

Love, love, love Cuba and it's proud people.


Tobacco field and mogote in Vinales:

 Valley of Vinales, Oh My!! Mogotes seen in the background.

Limestone caves access, Ernie and Jill coming down:

Marina Hemingway home for 2 weeks, below:

 Cool old cars everywhere you looked:

Havana rooftops looking northward toward the Florida Straits.

Havana kids on the balcony playing with a balloon, blending in with the laundry.

Our sail back to the U.S. (no motor) was just right.