Slavn Blog

“Es complicado,” our Cuban information, Lázaro, mentioned in response to a query from one among our group

I used to be in a bus on a busy avenue in Havana with fourteen travel companions (13 ladies and two men) who have been touring Cuba with Sisters Throughout the Straits, a bunch organized and sponsored by the Florida state chapter of League of Ladies Voters. Our goal was not solely to go to common vacationer stops however to grow to be extra educated about Cuba, the Cuban folks and the nation’s historical past.

Moreover Lázaro, we have been lucky to be accompanied by Miami resident Annie Betancourt, founding father of Sisters Throughout the Straits, a Board Director of the League and a member for greater than three a long time. We have been the twenty-sixth group Annie has taken to Cuba. She later defined that ‘it is difficult’ is the usual response Cubans use to explain any tough scenario. It is a diplomatic approach of claiming there isn’t a reply to your query or maybe there isn’t a answer. ‘It is difficult’ turned the password for our six day journey in Cuba Humidor B093FGCC3B.

Annie was born in Cuba and lived there along with her dad and mom till she was 13 years old. That was when the revolution occurred and Fidel Castro got here into energy. Her father, an engineer, understood the adjustments that have been coming and, like lots of of different Cubans, moved his family to Miami, hoping that their time in that metropolis could be brief. However Fidel remained in energy and the family quickly realized that Miami was their new home.

Annie’s hope is that these visits will enhance mutual understanding after a long time of isolation and mistrust between the US and Cuba. The itineraries, as you will notice, are designed to supply League members with alternatives to find out about Cuba’s historical past, tradition and society and to satisfy each educational specialists and atypical Cuban residents.

­Day 1.

Our flight from Miami to the Jose Marti Worldwide Airport in Havana was simply 45 minutes lengthy, a reminder that Cuba is barely 90 miles from the USA. As quickly as our group handed by means of customs, we boarded the bus and began our tour with a trip by means of central Havana and the Plaza de la Revolucion. Annie had warned us that we have been going to a third world nation but it surely was nonetheless a shock to see so many buildings that regarded as if they’d been bombed. Different buildings appeared very fragile, as if they may collapse at any second. Nonetheless, they have been clearly inhabited, with folks going out and in of the entrances and others hanging wash from balconies ten or fifteen tales excessive. The American embargo and a failing economic system had clearly had a huge effect.