Cuba is certainly on the bucket list of many Americans. For Canadians, Germans and citizens of virtually every other nation a visit to Havana is no big deal. But now that the door is open just a little bit for US citizens, Tanya and Jay had to go. Though our visit was much too short, we got a feeling of how warm and proud the Cuban people are. In terms of economic development, Cuba is about where one might imagine it would be after enduring a US embargo that has been in effect since 1962. But Cubans we talked to spoke with pride about their free education, health care, housing and even free funerals. Compared to much of the rest of the Caribbean, and of course, US cities, Havana is very safe to walk at night. Most folks don’t own a car so transportation is via shared rides, buses, taxi or horse-drawn carts.
Since no new US cars have been imported since the embargo was imposed, 1950s and early 60s cars are everywhere. Of course, other than the body, most of the mechanical components have been replaced by parts either from other cars, fabricated or smuggled in through other countries. Our ride for the day was a beautiful red 1960 Buick Invicta convertible owned by our driver, Alex’s, father. There were occasional stops to check the transmission fluid level and sometimes we weren’t sure if we would make it up an incline, but overall it was a terrific way to see Havana.
Never Left Home 
Excited to read your comments as we are headed there the first of June. Glad you had a nice time.
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So are y’all back stateside? Paloma arrived in Cuba yesterday. She is also in Havannah, maybe you will run into each other.
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Hi DeAnna. We’re just pulling into Funchal, Madeira today. Back in Wiesbaden next week.
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Wow, you guys are really trekking all around the globe! Sorry, you and Paloma missed each other in Cuba, that could have been a fun meet up. Safe travels.
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Hi guys! Nice blog and great photos!! Please tell me how you reduced the size of the photos to fit so many together. Mine always come out huge. Many thanks! We are 7 days and counting… and really excited. Just got the boarding pass for our freighter, so I guess it is a go. Looking forward to hearing from you… please do keep in touch. Chip
On Wed, Apr 11, 2018 at 5:45 AM, Never Left Home wrote:
> jayandtanya posted: “Cuba is certainly on the bucket list of many > Americans. For Canadians, Germans and citizens of virtually every other > nation a visit to Havana is no big deal. But now that the door is open just > a little bit for US citizens, Tanya and Jay had to go. Though ” >
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Hi Chip. For the photos, I just selected “mosaic” instead of “individual images” when inserting them. Oh boy, we keep thinking of you guys and your upcoming trip. Now that will be an adventure. We just pulled into Lisbon this morning and will be back in Wiesbaden next Wednesday. Cheers.
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Thank you muchly for the photo information. I’ll try to set that up. Sounds like Tanya will be home just in time to plant her garden. Kit is really going to miss hers this year. I’ll miss an opportunity to weed. Aw rats! Are you allowed to have weeds in Germany?
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Chip, Nein mein Herr. No weeds allowed in Deutschland. Alles must be “in Ordnung”, don’t you know?
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