Cuba: A Charismatic Country in the Crux of Change - by Beverly Mann

Havana, Cuba

Thanks to Obama opening up doors in 2008, U.S. Cuban residents can visit their families. Americans, such as myself, in conjunction with humanitarian and educational organizations, are able to have this unique travel opportunity.

 I didn’t realize that during my 10-day sojourn with U.S. Global Exchange, in partnership with Cuba’s ICAP (Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples) that I would develop an increased knowledge and appreciation for the Cuban people and their sense of sustainability and community.

One of the major attractions for me was that Cuba is considered the salsa capital of the world, and dance happens to be my passion. However, it was this contagious human spirit and vibrant arts scene that became the prominent lure.

An interesting day began with an informative lecture by a noted filmmaker and an urban planner, followed by a visit to a museum, and then a viewing a local arts group with lunch at a popular establishment. Also, the tour afforded me the opportunity to have several hours free at times to explore and observe the sights, sounds, and colors around me.

It was easier and more enjoyable to walk, when not on our tour bus, because of the lack of availability of public transportation throughout the different districts of Havana. I only noticed two major bus lines. A taxi or Coco taxi (a three-wheeled yellow bubble powered by the driver on a moped) from the residential districts to Old Havana cost 6 to 10 Cuban dollars. Note that it is approximately 90 U.S. cents to the Cuban CUC or dollar.

Cuba today, since the throes of the revolution in 1959 when Fidel Castro created a socialist state, is a country of approximately 11 million people (2.2 in Havana alone) with constant internal and external struggles, intense social consciousness, and a continual movement toward change. Some 2.5 million tourists from around the world frequented the country last year. Tourism from Europe and Latin America accounts for 51 percent of the Cuba’s GNP. Some 10 percent more Americans visited this past year.

Note EU-Digest : also read the editorial by Kingsley Guy recently published in the Sun Sentinel  " Course change needed for US in Cuba".

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