carmenbona

I spent 2 weeks in Cuba on my own, with very little planning, and loved it.
My itinerary was Havana-Trinidad-Playa Ancon-Cienfuegos.
Check out my blog for the full trip report and some tips and inspiration:
http://bonatravels.com/2009/01/04/country-summary-cuba/

annhig

Hi carmen,

thank you very much for posting your blog and your very personal account of your travels. We are aiming to visit Cuba next January, travelling independently [we're British so aren't subject to the restrictions that apply to americans]. we will probably hire a car.

I don't think that we are likely to do it on such a shoe-string as you but we are planning to stay in case particulars. Apart from Havana, I was hoping that we wouldn't have to book, but reading what you've written I'm not so sure. D you think that we are likely to encounter many places where everything is fully-booked?

BostonHarbor

Carmen, Wow, I just read your blog. You are one adventurous young woman! It sounds to me that you had an experience most never have in Cuba. That is, getting really to know people and understand their situation--the good and the bad. I loved your observations that the Cubans you met, although poor, were not unhappy. However, it has become much worse over the last 15 years as the government has not been able to generate the funds to feed the people. Ration stores in the 2003 (my first visit of many to the island) were a far different beast then today. Rations stores back then had chicken, beef, cigarettes, soap, eggs, sugar and much, much more. Today rations are almost nothing--some beans and rice and sugar are about it.

This is why Cuba has to make friends with countries that can help get the economy running. Cuba isn't staying the same; Cuba it is failing and it can't continue the slide.

I think the Cuban government and cubans as a whole are smart enough to create a marketplace that doesn't throw the baby out with the bath water. It should be an interesting decade.

Thanks so much for sharing your journey. If I were your mother, I would be having a heart attack. However, Im just a fellow traveler who admires you spunk!