Will Americans Ever Vacation In Cuba???
 

I've noticed that whenever the subject is Cuba there is great debate. My question is how many of us (Americans) are curious about visiting Cuba when Castro is finally out, and Cuba has a new government? We all know it is only a matter of time.
I would really like to visit the island and its people, but not until the communists are out!

Many americans visited Cuba when the US- supported and mafia-controlled dictator Batista ruled there. I visited Cuba this september. Old people told horrible stories from the Batista-time. Many innocent people were killed and tortured by his soldiers, corruption was widespread and so was poverty. To-day the cubans enjoy no freedom (which they should). But they are well educated, the health system is good and about 70%25 of the people support Fidel Castro. In my opinion USA should take a much more constructive approach to the Cuban-issue. You are supporting many brutal regimes all over the world (Turkey, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Paraguay, Colombo etc.). Hypocracy is also some kind of a morale? Nations like Canada, Mexico and Spain have a much more constructive and hypocracy-free attitude to Cuba. And so has my country, Norway. We are visiting Cuba, and we dont like much of what we see there. But who is perfect? The crime rate in USA is much higher than in Cuba - especially as regards serious crimes like robbery and murder. Maybe you should start with solving your own problems before moralising about the situation in countries like Cuba? I have stayed in USA, and the people there are very friendly. Clinton is a decent man. But the attidtudes of the republican party is really destructive!

Nils,Ronald has gone quiet,please in the nicest way, no more politics.tom

Por favor amigos! Donde esta Roanld? Je m'ennuie (presque) mon ami... A la proxima vez!

Dear Tom and Michel: I think I have said all I can about this subject. I do not want to emulate Castro by making long, repetitive and boring speeches over 37 years. Nils has not been convinced and I doubt if he ever will be and that is his right. I would suggest, though, he give consideration to taking up permanent residence or citizenship in Cuba in order to fully participate and understand life in that tropical Paradise. I predict he will be on a raft to Miami within six months - and the US will send him back since that is current policy and he loves it so there! Adieu mon amis. Venceremos! Yanqui going home.

Nils' application for residence, should he choose to apply, should be processed quite rapidly as I believe the line is quite short - it will consist of Nils only. Just be sure not to stand in the line of Cubans applying for exit visas which is considerably longer. I feel certain that when he obtains his residency Cuba will hold him up to the world as an example of the triumph of their system and the rush to join the revolution from forward thinking people everywhere. When the publicity dies down he will be sent to harvest sugar cane and will end up in a psychiatric ward as the Cubans will be certain he is mad - the evidence is clear: look at where he freely chose to live! Nils: let the world know your date of departure to Cuba so we can follow your adventures in the land of el son y las playas. Viva el Internet! Patria o muerte! Abajo los perros yanquis. (Why are the Cubans in Cuba so silent? Explicarme porfavor.)

I have tried to express this many times: Cuba is no model for anyone. My main point is: US politics is based on irrational feelings and lack of consistency. And so are my opinions? Human beings are primarily irrational. Let us recognize this fact and still try to have a dialogue and respect for each other. Cuba is a beatiful country, and also the cubans deserve our respect. They dont want to be a banana republic. But communism is not the right medicine for them. Freedom of speech and freedom to express one's opinion is essential. But I will not recommend tourists not to visit Cuba. By visiting them and having a dialogue with the cubans it is my opinion that this will facilitate a new (and hopefully democratic) system. Personally I have got some contacts in Cuba. I will correspond with them and thus try to contribute to international dialogue and mutual understanding.
I thank you all for the discussion on this matter. Let us all be aware of our biases and try to listen to others (inclusive the cubans) with an open mind. If I have interferred in this tourist page with politics I beg your pardon. Maybe our further dialogue should concentrate on tourism? Have a nice weekend!

I just wanted to say I am Canadian, and just love
visiting Cuba. We go there once a year and just
love it!!!! Just wanted to let you know.
Thanks Kelly

Nils: US policy towards Cuba may be many things but it is not "irrational." Problem is you don't comprehend the rationale.

Nils: while I encourage you in your efforts to talk with Cubans I would caution you that if the Cuban authorities think your correspondent is engaging in "subversive" correspondence with foreigners they might be the subject of a police investigation. I don't know if the mails are censored but I do know that long distance telephone calls to Cubans are subject to being monitored without your knowledge by the authorities. Maybe you should attempt to write to the Maximum Leader as he's the only one who can do anything about their system - your correspondents won't be able to do a thing.

Dear Nils: after you have carefully read website www.fiu.edu/~fcf/ as suggested by Robert Linares in another discussion on Cuba I want to hear if you still think US policy toward Cuba is "irrational."

My question was "Will Americans Ever Vacation In Cuba? I still want to know if there are people out there who love the Caribbean as much as I do, and are somewhat curious about visiting Cuba? I do not consider myself to be political, however, I like to travel and experience other cultures. I know there are many more people out there that would like to see Cuba for themselves, these are the people I would like to hear from.CONDE NAST readers where are you? CARRIBEAN TRAVEL & LIFE readers where are you?
I would never consider breaking the laws of my country to visit Cuba, but if one day the political climate changes and the U.S. government says its O.K. then I'll go. Do not allow Nils and Ronald to become the only voices in the Cuban debate.

After reading the articles on Cuba suggested by Robert Linares, web site http:www.fiu.edu/~fcf/
I find I am not quite as interested in visiting Cuba anymore. The articles and information made me think less about a vacation with sun and sand, and more about the people affected. I still am not political, but I will spend my vacations elsewhere!

HI,I DONT have any political leanings other than I know communism does'nt work.I feel sorry for the cubanos who have to live under this regime.But,If Iwhere to turn my back on my many cuban friends,who would give them the little extras,that the tourists(Canadians)bring.ANYONE with strong political feelings,I suggest that they read a few of the poems by Robbie Burns.TOM PATRICK.