Greetings from Havana, Cuba

I am commiting an act of civil disobedience by defying the U.S. Government´s law about travel to Cuba. I´m with a group of other Americans, including a NYer who sends pianos to Cuba, as well as two Cuban Americans from California.

The guy who organized the trip, the NYer, has scheduled a press conference at Miami International Airport for Friday, when we are scheduled to return (we traveled through the Bahamas).

The point is to come out publicly against Bush´s restrictions with Cuba, including how families are only allowed to send money to their family once every three years.

I wish I can post some photos, but it´s not possible because I am writing from a computer at a hotel. Three dollars for 30 minutes. I came to see for myself what Cuba is all about.

In the two days I´ve been here, I´ve had an incredible experience, including losing $200 during an interlude with two Cubanitas. No, I won´t go into details. No, I won´t show you the photos. Yes, I´m a fucking madman.

My impression of Cuba so far: People are happy, but desperate. It´s a police state. I´ve already been talked to twice about taking photos. I´ve already been pulled aside and asked for my information. I´ve already been hit up for a bribe, which I refused to pay.

The people here might not be happy with the system, but they are mesmerized by Fidel Castro. Most of them anyway.

Will keep you guys posted if I don´t end up in a Cuban jail (either in Havana or in Guantanamo, depending on which government I piss off the most).

Raging in Havana.

Also watched Sterns on 60 minutes just now. Good interview and info. Thanks for letting me know it was on. Have fun and stay safe.

Probably safer in Cuba than Iraq anyway.

It's much safer than Iraq. And I speak the language

and peered into a small shop/factory. They set aside the work they were doing and just talked with her for a while. Very comfortable, no worry about "the boss." A rather different world. Where people rank higher than profits.

I had an awesome time. It was truly one of the most interesting, unique and educating experiences of my life.

I will post all the details and photos in the upcoming days after catching up on some much-needed sleep.

One of the highlights of my trip was swigging from a bottle of Cuban rum as I waited my turn to be processed through Customs.

Then telling a roomful of Department of Homeland Security officials, who were searching my bags and lecturing me about the illegality of traveling to Cuba, that I refuse to succumb to the hypocrisy of the embargo set by the U.S. Government(you can buy Coca-Cola and find Tabasco sauce in almost every restaurant and bar. More on that later).

And then informing them how Bush stole two elections, after they pointed to his photo on the wall and declared that he was the one the people elected to set the policies.

I have a feeling this is just getting started. I will probably receive a letter in the mail informing me that I am being fined. I have a lawyer ready to take the case, free of charge.

I plan to return to Cuba soon. Many more times. That is, if I am not on the "no-fly list".

Looking forward to hearing about your trip and seeing your photos, Raging! Now, get some sleep! :)

and looking forward to all the details!
:hi:

Like a child before Christmas, I am anxiously awaiting the photos.

:hi:

If you get some pics out of there, great! But it's much more important that you get yourself back safe & sound.

Will you be at the press conference in Miami on Friday?

I really hope there are no repercussions. You are brave.

looking forward to your story and pictures!! I went through Jamaica once and bought Cuban Rum not realizing (yes, I am dense sometimes) that it was a prohibited item. Did you enjoy??? Been a while since I have visited this group but will come back soon looking for your photojournalist item....