Will Cuba open to U.S. tourists soon? (with poll 94 yes 4 no)

http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2010/07/will-cuba-open-to-us-tourists-soon/99188/1

Will Cuba open to U.S. tourists soon?


By Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY

A street scene in Old Havana, where old American cars are still hot. A campaign to open Cuba to American tourists is heating up, too.
CAPTION
By Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Maybe.

Vacationers interested in legally visiting Cuba are heartened by a Congressional committee's decision to send anti-embargo legislation forward.

The Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, which made it out of the House of Representatives' Agriculture Committee last week, goes to House Democratic leadership, which will decide when and if it goes to the floor. If approved in both House and Senate and signed by President Obama, the four-decade ban on American tourists visiting Cuba would end. Some see Wednesday's announcement by Cuba that it will release some political prisoners as a move to encourage an end to the trade and tourism embargo.

Supporters of the controversial legislation include the United States Tour Operators Association and Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., who says that "now is the time to chart a new direction by normalizing our trade relationship with Cuba." Tourism will help do that, he says.

What do you think? Do you want to be able to legally visit Cuba or are you in favor of keeping things as they are? If you want to know more about what Cuba is like, read my story from last year when I went in on a journalist visa. It's accompanied by staff photographer Jack Gruber's evocative photos, one of which is posted above.

Thanks for a chance to vote on the subject.

and I asked him about the 17 days he spent in Cuba 2 years ago on holiday. He stayed in Havana and also did two separate island tours.

He said the most noticeable thing is the absence of abject poverty. He also said that if I was to go then best do it before the Yanks can get back in there : he said the Canadians were bad enough.

going outside Havana, too.

A lot of people still try to inform others who might be inclined to trust them that in Cuba you only see what they want you to see, and that the rest of the country looks a lot different than it does in the hotels and restaurants, etc.

They don't seem to realize because they haven't looked that in Cuba they have rental vehicles from bicycles all the way to RV's, even pairs of skates so anyone can get everywhere whenever the spirit moves when visiting. All this with NO one breathing down their necks, not ever.

Crazy what people can try to put over on others, isn't it?

So now your brother is also acquainted with Cuba, too, like your son who went a couple of years ago, if I remember correctly.

Looks like it's your turn, dipsydoodle!

to wait until about late October if I was going this year - past the hurricane season. I'd probably be happy just mooching around in Havana finding all the music venues despite the fact I can't really stand salsa music itself. Doubtless I'd find some middle aged ladies to teach me the dance though....lol.

I hadn't realised but apparently all of the post revolution cars are state owned. It's the pre-Rev Caddys etc which remain privately owned.

He's been to Vietnam for 3 weeks too ! Him and my sister-in-law are very into checking out other cultures especially now they're both retired. Dunno if I'd mentioned before but one of my younger cousins married a Cuban. They're divorced now but remain good friends. He went back to Cuba but I assume now retains his British passport too.

:hi:

I've been there a bunch of times and recommend the music scene ...it's not just salsa, there is huge variety.

The old cars can be bought and sold between Cubans (and foreigners can buy them too). I have a friend who fixes them up and resells them for a living.

FAVORITE MEMORY! Driving into Jose Marti airport in a 1948 Dodge, owned by said friend, and it breaks down at the entrance gate causing a hullabaloo. What a beautiful send off ride:}

Newer cars can also be bought by Cubans depending on whether one has permission in the form of a paper that allows a certain purchase level. Athletes, musicians and enterprise owners and others who can prove their income source can purchase new or newer cars. Foreigners can trade between foreigners or buy new or have their vehicle shipped over.

I'd ommitted to mention something you probably already know. They don't stamp your passport on entry - just put a slip in with your passport. Hence no record of having been there. Having said that they don't on entry to the USA either.

Music : I prefer the syncopation of jazz and swing music and find some Latin music flat. Although our tastes may differ there are really only two types of music : well played and not well played.

:hi:

For some well played jazz you'll be sure to check out El Zorro y El Cuervo in Havana:


http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=1ylt1qALu5o&feature=related

Keeerrriiiissssttt!!!!111!!!111!!!11!!!

CUBA HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO AMERICANS!

It is the US government that has banned American travel.

CUBA HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO AMERICANS!

Many do go. Only the US government restricts American travel and prosecutes Americans for going to Cuba.

CUBA HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO AMERICANS!

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if one doesn't know the history.

Plenty of Americans do go especially Cuban Americans, it's difficult to get a seat out of Miami on the charters these days after Obama lifted restrictions on travel for Cubans/Cuban Americans with family on the island.

.... psyops.

Look....

http://www.counterpunch.org/cnnpsyops.html

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