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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Echelon: The stamp doesn't say "Cuba". It just this wierd little green stamp.</font> There were lots of Canadians and South Americans on holiday in Cuba, the Canadians were having a particularly good laugh at the way Americans weren't allowed in there. I also had stamps from Israel in my passport, some people this this is not possible but I did it. I needed a visa to enter Egypt and got one while I was in Tel Aviv, unfortunately it had "Tel Aviv" in big letters stamped on it. I got the second stamp as I left Israel via Rafah where the Egyptians stamped my passport with a stamp saying Rafah in Arabic. A few immigration officals noticed this and commented that the only way I could have crossed the border at Rafah is if I had been to Israel. It didn't cause a problem though. |
Lets just say that goin gto Cuba is risky - very risky and if you so happen to get caught - you will not want to face the consequences.
Best A Cuban |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by joie_de_vie: May I suggest, if you're an American citizen and want to visit Cuba, that you do it legally. That's what I did in April 2001 through an organization named "Ambassadors for Children", based in Indianapolis. This is a humanitarian group whose trips to Cuba are sanctioned by the U.S. government - at least for now, as I read recently that our government may soon be further tightening the laws for travel to Cuba. Their address is 7337 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46231 and phone number (317) 826-7929. I hope the contact info is still correct, as I haven't contacted them since my trip. We flew on an ATA charter from Indy to Havana and stayed in one of the nicer large hotels in Havana - "Melia Cohiba", with a waterfront view - basic but nice enough. We spent mornings visiting schools and distributing personal (e.g., school, hygiene) supplies in both Havana and the countryside with Cuban guides (read: government employees) and had afternoons to explore on our own. There were several physicians in our group who took medical supplies and spent time with doctors in the hospitals. It was the most interesting, and at the same time, unsettling, trip of my life. It would take lots of time to post the details of my trip, and not knowing if anyone is interested, I won't. But, please do check into this or other sanctioned organizations (I suspect there are some in S. FL); you will have plenty of time to go off on your own, and you will leave feeling that you have helped, in some small way, to make someone's life better, as well as enrich your own. Edited for typos [This message has been edited by joie_de_vie (edited Jan 18, 2004).]</font> And thanks for the info. I'll definitely look into it. I've been dying to go, ever since friends on the US Waterpolo team came back. They loved the experience... |
I would definitely go -- I'm going in October (legally), but have done a ton of research. Not to hate on our beloved flyertalk site, but there's a great Cuba site at http://www.cubamania.com/cgi-bin/cubaforums/YaBB.pl -- try the DO Cuba! forum and do some searches on american. They have good, reassuring advice as well as good advice on places to stay.
I'm not affiliated with the site whatsoever and am an avid Flyertalk fan, but their cuba forum is replete with info! <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dudemon: When my wife and I go to Cancun I think I would like to catch a flight to Cuba for a day (spend one night). My wife is a resident alien from Canada and my citizenship is US. Will the trip have any negative effects on my wives alien status? I would like to hire a personal guide when I get there, I do speak very good Spanish no limitations there. Any suggestions where to find someone for this? Also, since Cubans like and need things from the US any suggestions on highly prized items I should bring? Any Cubans out there who have family still in Cuba? Or any Cubans online with an email address? edited for spelling [This message has been edited by Dudemon (edited 04-17-2001).]</font> |
Originally Posted by Dudemon
As for Human Rights in Cuba, yes there are clearly problems that I have a conflict of interests with when I choose to support a government financially, albeit indirectly. I am a vegetarian because I choose not to economically support the cattle & ranching industries warehouse farmed chicken, et cetera. I clearly understand that I do vote with my dollars and I don’t except that responsibility lightly.
I know more of U.S. interventions in Latin America then most and not one of them has been carried out for Human Rights, though our government chooses to market their actions this way. In Cuba we supported Batista who was as tyrannical as they get, he makes Fidel look like a saint. But the Cuban hero Ernesto “Che” Guevara? Personally I feel he was a lot like the CIA in his covert operations (always a foreigner) and I fail to see how outside of Cuba he could be admired in the way he is. He is simply more fashionable now. But as for Cuba, I would love to see it before any major changes, for all of it’s glories and catastrophes. I just won’t be the on yelling “ˇViva la revolucion!” I would also say that the rationale for isolating Cuba because of its human rights record is kind of hollow given that we have a lot of trade and exchanges with countries that are just as bad if not worse. |
My Dad (non US citizen) went a few years ago. He had his mexican counsel with him, so he took care of the details. But $5 will take care of them not stamping your passport.
I here for $20, you get escorted off the plane, into a lounge, given a cigar and a mojito, while some one clears immigration, customs, gets your luggage, puts the luggage in the car, and the gets you when the car is ready to take you to the hotel. I read this on a travel web site on suggestions for Cuba. It is legal and promoted by the government. Personally, risk versus reward does not seem appealing. Dad was not too impressed and said it was kind of depressing. Plus, the food is not that good. A good meal is only adequate, even in the private restaurants. If I wanted to go to the Carribean for vacation, I can think of many other islands to visit, rather than Cuba. I think the US policy is dumb and hypocritical, but I bet in the next 5 years or so, the counrty will open up to Americans. Then you can travel with impunity. If you really want to go, suggestion above on a charitable trip seems the best bet. At least you will feel good about your trip and help the image of the US abroad. |
The burning question of the day... With all the european visitors...
would the typical cuban prefer $20 USD or $20 Euro??
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I go to Cuba 2 or 3 times a year on business and US dollars are useless there. Nobody will accept them, hotels, taxi drivers, nobody. You need to take South American currency or Euros.
And they won't accept any credit card issued by a US bank. This includes foreign credit cards where the parent company is a US concern. For example, an MBNA credit card issued in any country would not be accepted in Cuba. Doug |
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