Our last full day in Cuba was mostly a long bus ride back to Havana and then a lovely farewell dinner.
The next morning, we had a bit of a scare at the airport when just before it was due to depart our flight disappeared from the display board. Nobody knew why. There were no airline personnel on our side of the locked immigration doors and no way to find out what went wrong. After about 45 minutes trying to call the tour company in Washington state and the guide in Cuba (luckily somebody in the group had a global phone) we still had no idea what was going on. But at least all that effort took up time because then suddenly, still without notice, the plane landed, we boarded and off we went.
We expected a bit of attention upon arrival in the United States...at least someone verifying that we had not come back with the forbidden rum, coffee or cigars. But nobody batted an eye or asked a single question.
I think the hardest part of the trip was leaving our wonderful guide, Beatriz, behind. Whether she is free to admit it or not, I can't imagine that she doesn't realize the constraints of her life there and that makes me sad. As is usually the case in these situations, it's the people - not the ruler - who suffer. That's who we should think about when we consider lifting the embargo.
Meanwhile, we left this behind:
The next morning, we had a bit of a scare at the airport when just before it was due to depart our flight disappeared from the display board. Nobody knew why. There were no airline personnel on our side of the locked immigration doors and no way to find out what went wrong. After about 45 minutes trying to call the tour company in Washington state and the guide in Cuba (luckily somebody in the group had a global phone) we still had no idea what was going on. But at least all that effort took up time because then suddenly, still without notice, the plane landed, we boarded and off we went.
We expected a bit of attention upon arrival in the United States...at least someone verifying that we had not come back with the forbidden rum, coffee or cigars. But nobody batted an eye or asked a single question.
I think the hardest part of the trip was leaving our wonderful guide, Beatriz, behind. Whether she is free to admit it or not, I can't imagine that she doesn't realize the constraints of her life there and that makes me sad. As is usually the case in these situations, it's the people - not the ruler - who suffer. That's who we should think about when we consider lifting the embargo.
Meanwhile, we left this behind:
So that one day we were drinking Cuban Coffee and the next morning we were drinking French cappuccinos waiting for the ferry to take us home to British Anguilla. Now two days later we are off to Copenhagen and by Saturday we will be drinking tea with our British friends.
So in honor of the holiday season, I'll just say, "It's a Wonderful Life."
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