"... they are NOT getting their granddad's land back" A converstaiton in Key West 2003

My wife and I spent a fabulous week in Key West in 2003. Local knowledge from DUérs made the trip even better.

We were sitting at the Conch Republic bar in the early afternoon. I strike up a conversation with the guy next to me having lunch and a beer.

"I'm going to Cuba" he eventually said
"Business or pleasure?""
"A little of both. Great place for a day trip. You can't stay overnight anyway"- he traded medical supplies for Cuban art. No money exchanged.

"That's my boat there" pointing out to the dock - this thing was a huge 50'+ schooner. The kind of boat you get up with your drink to go take a look at.

So we are talking about Cuba and he says, "I hate telling this to my Cuban friends but they are NOT getting their granddad's land back. That just isn't going to happen. But I will tell you where some of the Cubans are going to really cash in.... If we ever open it back up they are going to get some serious money for those '57 Chevys they have been taking care of all these years"

Really great conversation. He finished his sandwiched and left on his "boat".


For the rest of the week when we would engage in conversation with locals (at dinner, waitresses, bartenders, etc.) they all said that a day trip to Cuba was no big thing to them. They all raved about how beautiful it was.

When the news broke this morning I texted my wife "Christmas in Cuba?" and some of the details. She was all for it.