Back in the USofA

We are safely back in the United States. In spite of everyone's
worries that customs and or immigration would be a nightmare given
where we were, nobody cared at all.

Getting out of Cuba was a bit stressful..not because of immigration
issues. But because we were all in the departures lounge waiting for
our plane to arrive, watching the board, when all of a sudden our
flight disappeared. Didn't change to delayed. Just disappeared. So we
were stuck there in the lounge with not a single (apparent) airline
employee to tell us what was going on. Some broken Spanish exchanged
with broken English netted us only the impression that nobody else was
much concerned. Then again all the folks queried were working and
living in Havana so what did it matter to them. Rather like when it
rains on vacation and you ask if the sun is going to come out....sure
eventually. Same with the plane. They all trusted that the plane would
arrive....eventually.

So there was a wee bit of stress and some challenging phone calls
(luckily someone had a phone with coverage in Cuba) to the tour
operator etc trying to get information. Don't get me wrong. We
received absolutely no help and no answers but the attempt kept us
occupied long enough until the plane finally landed (without warning
or fanfare). And we were off about 90 minutes late.

Rather than rush right into the Admiral's Club for the 4 hour wait for
our departing flight to St. Maarten, we stopped at the Cuban
restaurant here in MIA. As it turns out, Cuban Cuban food is not quite
the same as American Cuban food....close but just not the same. Rather
like two species of sparrow that started out the same but then through
some act of nature became physically separated and evolved just a bit
differently from each other in their disparate environments.

Now, we are trying to catch up in emails in the airline lounge where
quite honestly the wifi speed isn't all the much better than in the
hotel in Havana. But it is free. So I will soldier on and try to catch
up on the trip.....see subsequent posts.