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Every week, we receive numerous inquiries covering a variety of subjects that are important to you. Now, we would like to invite all of you to participate in our new feature by submitting questions that are relevant to expat living, whether you are planning to retire, work abroad, study, wander, or are just curious about life as an expat.
We encourage you to submit your questions to us, and beginning in June, we will post our answers here on Expat Daily News on Fridays. This is an effort by your editors, all experienced travelers and expats, to serve you better, and have you share your curiosities with your fellow readers.
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Your Editors,
Susan, Julie, and Jamie
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| The Great Theater of Havana (via Wikipedia) |
Time to Visit Cuba
By Jamie Douglas
Cuba is a truly magnificent destination in terms of scenery, beaches, historic dilapidated cities and towns, as well as perhaps the largest repository of pre-1960’s cars on the planet. If you can’t wait for freedom to return to Cuba, it may be a little depressing to take it all in as it is today. While Cuba prides itself on having a brilliant educational system that allows many to become Doctors and Biologists, the sad truth is that the everyday citizen is just now, after more than 50 years, getting a chance at making important personal decisions.
While I spend a lot of time criticizing governments, I think enough has been said about this subject that my North American readers need no further reminder of the failed Marxist model that has caused so much suffering to the average Cuban José.
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| Alejandro de Humboldt National Park (image via Wikipedia) |
The time to visit Cuba, before it gets overrun with Gringos coming off the ferries from Key West, Fort Myers, and Florida’s east coast, seems to be now. This large island nation has spectacular scenery to offer those who venture to the extremes of the island. Mountains, valleys, rivers, and many historic towns beckon the uninitiated visitor. There of course are the famous Cuban cigars to be had, world class Havana Rum, irresistible music, wonderful people, and great food. Accommodations are not always up to world class standards, especially if you happen to be a Middle Eastern visitor in the not so hospitable part of the nation, held in perpetuity by the USA, the Guantanamo Naval Torture center, one of the biggest stains on Americas so-called democracy, a democracy that has freedom for those who can afford it.
The west end of the island is home to some amazing geological features, and some of the friendliest and most curious islanders. You can travel by bus, but if it is in your budget, I highly recommend a rental car, as that allows you to go anywhere you want, with as many stop-and-chats as your heart desires.
Photographic opportunities are manifold, but don’t drag out your very expensive Canon camera. Stick to reasonable digital cameras that have a nice display on the back, allowing you to share the image for a moment with bystanders.
Economic inequities between you and the locals of course will require you to watch out for petty and grand larceny, as you would in any impoverished nation. The road network is extensive, but generally speaking not in great shape, and no matter where you go, by 4 PM or so, you should be starting to look seriously for the night’s accommodations. Should you have difficulties finding something, stop at a local police station, and in all likelihood, they will either direct you to a pension or someone’s house where you can rent a room with meals for the night.
There is hope for citizens of the USA as well. New rules issued by the Obama administration will allow for much more relaxed travel to Cuba, with a people to people program. The next few weeks will tell, if all goes as planned. Already of course the Cuban-American lobby is in full swing, denouncing the proposed changes, with the children of Cuba’s Robber Barons, who were driven into exile, being the most vociferous of the bunch. But the only effect almost 50 years of embargoes have had is the continuing hard-line communist party regime’s hold on power, and the abject poverty of the population. It is time for a change, not for business reasons, as some in the USA wish for, but for humanitarian reasons. Give the common people of Cuba their lives back. The rest will soon fall into place.
Viva Cuba Libre!
Jamie Douglas
San Rafael, Mendoza
Where the Malbec Wine is Always Fine!
Jamie Douglas is an Adventurer, Writer and Photographer with an amazing array of Nikon equipment, and a lifetime of experience traveling and documenting. To contact him for assignments and new adventures, email: jamie.douglas [at] yahoo.com
See more expat articles by Jamie at
We would love to hear your comments on this article email us at editor@expatdailynews.com
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