rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Oh, the hypocritical pearl-clutching and false outrage. I for one would love to go to Cuba, have a Mojito where it was first served, dance to the music and capture images.

Here's a hint: The Cold War is over, we won.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

We learned how to make really good mojitos..it is the type of mint they use...yummy!!!
The people are so welcoming and happy to see Americans. The architecture is amazing, the organic garden was beautiful and walking in the early morning in Vinales to greet the children going to school, the cowboys getting ready to start their day and the farmers plowing the fields. It was a wonderful experience. I look forward to returning.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I think it's best to accept reality, warts and all rather than have some fairy tale image of the world, your country, your job, your family, yourself, etc. Like another poster aptly said, our hands are not clean. And Jesus did say, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Must be in our dna to be led by ruthless people in every society.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The blockade and embargo does not seem to have really worked all that well over the last SIXTY years. How about we try open lines of communications with the Cuban people for a change? Our wall has allowed the Castro regime to repress its people. Why is Cuba verboten for those right-wingers here and Vietnam and China not? Cuba has actually become less repressive, and I think that one of the reasons is the increased exposure on the world stage that has been created by increased visitation to the island nation.

ringmaster

I always get a kick out of people who scream your wrong and then say "I'm not going to argue about it"

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Haven’t been to Cuba and don’t support the government. However when talking about a violent country and killing children and exporting violence. This sounds like you;could be talking about the U.S. Look at our interment camps on the border the reports are horrific. Children dying in our custody. Inhuman living conditions. Hope you are vocal protesting this in our country as you are about Cuba. And I’m not even talking about our history in the area.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Couldn’t say it better.

trahrig Loc: Georgia

Sorry I didn't join this group to discuss an read about politics. If I want to read about them I will read the news threads.

usnpilot Loc: Ft Myers Fl

[quote=trahrig]Sorry I didn't join this group to discuss an read about politics. If I want to read about them I will read the news threads.[/

This should have been moved to the attic

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

The rage here about your trip is totally ignorant. The more we keep up the visiting
and exchange of ideas the more Cuba will get better for the people. They don't even have
a proper internet at all. And the people want the country to be opened to investment and
visitors.
I am not a socialist but we could learn from everything. Cuba's medical service is among
the best in the world. We can help the growing and freedom in the country if they
have visitors and investments from our country and others.

This kind of anger here is what has got us into problems and wars. I read the other day
that the US has been at war 80% of the time since our country was started. For the people
of Cuba we should support visiting and creating a better economy and political's for the
country.

Xanadu Loc: Clay County FL

Disappointing rancor. I have also visited Cuba many years ago (1999). At that time there was a very active underground economy unintentionally supported by the US dollar. When I returned I listened to the political rhetoric about Cuba with a different perspective. My take - it's not as bad as the anti-Cuba folks would have you believe nor is it the carribbean paradise the Cuban government tries to project. I would love to re-visit.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Your trip to Cuba is being attacked by some right-wing proto fascists on this board, many of whom have served in the armed forces. When the president loses the next election and refuses to leave the White House, he will have the support of the military and the U.S.A. as we knew it will be kaput. I have toured Iran and never have I encountered such hospitable people. On the street they heard me and my companions talking in English, asked where we were from and when we told them, they came close to hugging us. The Revolutionary Guard and the religious fanatics are a very small part of Iran. I also toured Burma for three weeks, driven over 3,000 miles by a former taxi driver. We stayed at hotels not owned by the government and ate in small local restaurants. And Burma was ruled by the military, but the people benefited from whatever we spent locally. I live in an area that is so provincial that people find daunting the thought of traveling to NYC.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

You are confusing socialism with communism! The Cuban administration is a form of communism, think Russia or China while the administration in countries such as Norway or Sweden represent socialist forms of government.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

This is not accurate. They do have proper internet. Many have cell phones, all of the private homes I stayed in had internet service. While I was there in December, wifi was started in most of the parks. Yes I had to buy a card, $2 for an hour. It was great seeing everyone in the park on their cell phones.
I am *friends* with all the guys/drivers from my trip in December, on facebook. They comment and post photos on a regular basis.

I was there 5 years ago, and then in December. I did find the people definitely were better off in December than they were 5 years ago. The people are happy, friendly people. They are kind and not mean, like some of the people on UHH. They are polite and so happy to meet and speak with Americans.

We had the opportunity to photograph 2 young girls from the ballet school. They have visited the USA in the past. They are on facebook and instagram. One of the girls is from Costa Rica, but the ballet school in Cuba was better so the mom/girl live in Cuba so she can go to ballet school.

Images-
Ballerina with the fisherman late in day.
Drivers taking photos of their cars with their cell phones
Dance school we visited
2 ladies with their ipad getting online.