Visiting Cuba

[Shepherd]

My long-time friend Philip Ross--who lived full-time here in Sebastopol for decades--just sent out this email from Cuba. He now spends most of the year there with his Cuban wife and child. He is an excellent host, musician, and film-maker. When I visited Cuba, decades ago, it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, full of good music and good people, there in the Caribbean.

Greeting All,
I have had the unique opportunity through my travel organization of hosting over 450 travelers to Cuba over the past 5 years.This was made possible in large part as a result of President Obama in 2016 making history by enacting new regulations making it possible for much freer travel to Cuba for Americans.

NOW
This past week our current President reversed much of that progress toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

While airline flights and travel to Cuba for Americans is still possible - the new regulations will limit travel only under the auspices of a licensed American travel operator doing educational"people to people" travel. In addition all hotel stays in Cuba will be off limits.

I will not go into the political ramifications but to say: the hope is these new regulations will not be in place long given the political climate.

IT'S SPECIAL
Cuba is a special place on the planet. A mix of of socialism, afro-cuban religion, dynamic invention as a
result of severe limitations, super family friendly, with no corporate advertising, and levels of talent and creativity beyond description.

Cuba will continue to abide and forge its own way.

INKLING
If you have an inkling of going I can help make it still happen. I am happy to answers questions and help folks figure out the morass of Cuba travel at this moment.
All the best,
Philip

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[occihoff]

But isn't there a lot of tobacco smoking in Cuba?

[pearl g]

Oh yes. The cities are awash with tobacco smoke. Away from Havana, there are clean beautiful places however. If you can't deal with smoke, Cuba is probably not a good choice for you. There's a lot of paperwork to get there, but so worth it. Nice to hear about expats living there. I didn't meet any or hear about any Americans living there.

[Shepherd]

Yes, cigar and cigarette smoking throughout Latin America and much of Europe is much worse than here. The reduction of these death and disease habits in the U.S. has been a major accomplishment.

[Sally Churgel]

The cigars and smoke is NO reason to skip Cuba. It's a wonderful country. I traveled in Cuba 5 years ago with a small tour group of Californians so granted none of us, or our guides, smoked. I loathe smoke and am quite sensitive to it. I'm into salsa and I went to a nightclub every night. My memory of smoking in the clubs or streets....none. NONE! I don't remember the smoking. Even if you do find yourself sitting on a park bench near smokers, just move on over. The sea air is fresh there!

Go to Cuba if you're inclined and have a salsa dance on me!

Oh yes. The cities are awash with tobacco smoke. Away from Havana, there are clean beautiful places however. If you can't deal with smoke, Cuba is probably not a good choice for you. There's a lot of paperwork to get there, but so worth it. Nice to hear about expats living there. I didn't meet any or hear about any Americans living there.

[occihoff]

So Pearl says lots of smoke, and Sally says virtually none! How do we square this circle??

[Sally Churgel]

So Pearl says lots of smoke, and Sally says virtually none! How do we square this circle??Hi,

Thanks for calling the circle square. I meant the smoking that is prolific just didn't stand out in my memories compared to the views, buildings, people, art, adventures and dancing. Yes, its there but same in Paris and that wouldn't stop me from going there either.

I find traveling uncomfortable in many ways but I still love it.

[Shepherd]

Though my time in Cuba was many decades ago and I have never had a cigarette to my mouth and I am allergic to cigarettes, they do not stand out in any way to me as an obstacle. At 72-years-old, Cuba is near the top of my bucket list of what to do while I can still have fun.

I also enjoyed my time in Barcelona, which I highly recommend, where there is still much smoking, from my trip back there a couple of years ago. You can usually just walk away from the smoke.

Cuba and Barcelona radiate love, enjoyment, the arts, music, great, welcoming people, being alive and outside, etc. Take the risk.