an ami

Look, &Igrave; dont`t want to start a long political debate here, but some points need to be made.<BR><BR>First, I am also an American living in Germany. My consulate and Embassy BOTH told me it was not allowed for me to go to cuba. I will be prosecuted, thrown out of germany etc. It's a load of crap. It's not true at all. It's another example of how the US government tries to limit your knowledge. If US citizens were, say, to start going to cuba all the time, and begin discovering that everything the hear from their government about cuba was a lie, they would maybe wake up a bit! That's what I did, and that's exactly what I discovered! A country full of genuinely nice, open, curious, and poor people. But only poor due to our &quot;sanctions&quot; I might add. Man those people invite you into their homes and everything! Would an American do that with someone they just met at the beach bar? I hardly think so. So stop letting the government bully you around.<BR><BR>Second, I visit cuba not to eat the &quot;forbidden fruit&quot;, but to expand my knowledge base. I visit Cuba for the people, not the all inclusive buffet and the ugly sight of overfed, bitching-about-no-clean-towels-americans. It's also (like it's already been said here) the last unspoiled island there. Not Americanised at all. Veradero is a small island off cuba, connected with a bridge, where all the tourism is confined. SUPER! The rest of Cuba is &quot;original Cuba&quot;. That's why I spend my money on traveling to a foreign country; to meet the people and learn about other cultures. If I stay in a hotel, it's a 2 star. If you ask me, you guys that only stay in 4 or 5 star hotels should piss off to Cancun or to the Virgin lsles. If you're too &quot;scared&quot;, stay away. But don't forget why you're scared... not because of a real threat, but because of US government propaganda.<BR><BR>BTW. My passport was never stamped, I asked politely that they only stamp my tourist card. No Problemo. And I didn't apply for the card, I picked it up at the airport for US $18.<BR><BR>Third, there is no reason to go through official channels. This only draws more attention to yourself. You are allowed to travel to cuba, just not spend any money there. I repeat: You are allowed to travel to cuba, just not spend any money there. This means, if you for some stupid (and unlikely) reason get &quot;caught&quot;, you only have to say my trip was sponsored by xxxx. Where xxxx is a Candian or other foriegn friend. THEY gave you Canadian dollars or whatever. Be creative. This law is in any case unconstitutional, and has not been enforced ONCE. Really! Fines have been levied, true. But if you pay them, you're stupid. There is no follow up. But don't believe me, search the net with &quot;cuba tourist card for americans&quot; and see what happens. Then relax and go to cuba <BR>Dont't believe the hype