Interesting read on misconceptions on Cuba

[M1903A1]

Originally Posted by macpappy

Seriously though, about 8 years ago someone I know was part of a government sanctioned visit to Havana. He said that what they were shown was a Cuba that was a lot better off than what most believe. He also said that they weren't allowed to go off on their own or talk to anyone without their "tour guide" on hand. Basically they were only allowed to see and hear what the Cuban government wanted them to see and hear.

Several years ago a number of friends of mine (all American) were able to go on an educational trip to Cuba to "fantrip" the old Hershey Cuban interurban line. A couple of them shot video of the trip, most of which was outside of the tourist areas. While everybody else was watching the train, I was looking at the surroundings, most of which looked downright fourth-world. I found it very sad to watch.

Maybe I will ask Alina to post in this thread about her experiences of what eight year old girl and her parents went through to leave the country legally.

Or maybe not, what would be the point? Those that know the truth, know the truth.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by ahc4353

Maybe I will ask Alina to post in this thread about her experiences of what eight year old girl and her parents went through to leave the country legally.

Or maybe not, what would be the point? Those that know the truth, know the truth.

Al,
It just seems an endless battle, never to be won.
I ask myself each and every time, why do I do it? Why do I bite? Simple answer. I can't see not sharing the truth and clearing up misconceptions. Even if one doesn't believe me, hopefully one at least hears me.
I feel an obligation to the Cuban people and to my relatives to do so.
There are quite a few Cubans on this board that feel as I do on this subject. They are just a heck of a lot smarter than I am and manage to stay away. I would think Alina would be smarter to just stay away and let the world tell us what we crapped out of our assess last night. They are in a much better position to dissect our crap I guess.

[md4958]

Originally Posted by ahc4353

Maybe I will ask Alina to post in this thread about her experiences of what eight year old girl and her parents went through to leave the country legally.

Or maybe not, what would be the point? Those that know the truth, know the truth.

dont worry fellas, Alina is WAYYYYYY more interesting than Al. Younger and hotter too!

[Blueface]

Update:

Freedom of Speech is in fact alive and well in Cuba.
You are free to speak and then be beaten.
Here is Yoani's latest experience.
http://www.miamiherald.com/581/story/1321125.html

Please note the prize Yoani won and is not allowed to go receive is NOT in the US. It is in Spain, a country Cuba has relations with.
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez, speaks during a interview with AFP in Havana, on May 6, 2008. Sanchez won the Ortega y Gasset prize in Spain for digital journalism for her critical Internet blog on Cuban reality. Cuban authorities have refused to give a travel visa to Sanchez so she can receive one of Spain's top journalism awards in Madrid on Wednesday, said Spanish newspaper El Pais which hands out the awards annually.

[CBI_2]

Here is another site I found a a little while ago that I think is very informative.
http://www.therealcuba.com/index.htm

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by CBI_2

Here is another site I found a a little while ago that I think is very informative.
http://www.therealcuba.com/index.htm

I did not know the Cuban Guayabera was the perfect gift. i knew it was elegant and easily distinguishable by the fine cut but the fact that it's made entirely of Irish linen makes me wonder what exactly makes it a Cuban Guayabera. Or is the ultimate Guayabera a fusion of Cuban and Irish culture?

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by VirtualSmitty

I did not know the Cuban Guayabera was the perfect gift. i knew it was elegant and easily distinguishable by the fine cut but the fact that it's made entirely of Irish linen makes me wonder what exactly makes it a Cuban Guayabera. Or is the ultimate Guayabera a fusion of Cuban and Irish culture?

That, my friend, is the question that haunts me.

[csbrewfisher]

Here's an interesting perspective on Cuba.