Cuba

Well here is our first update. We are back in the realm where conversation seems to revolve around what is going into your body, but more importantly, how it comes out.  First stop Cuba, following epic flights against the sun and a night in Mexico.

Cuba is an amazing place to visit. It is a bit like walking around in a movie set. The crumbling buildings, old cars, people of all different skin colours, revolutionary propaganda, and the absence of any advertising make it a unique place. It is unlike anywhere else we have seen before.

We spent most of our time in Havana, but we were able to travel around a fair bit of the island.

It was really interesting to see many of the Revolutionary sights and to try and gauge how politics affect everyday life in Cuba.

One thing that seems evident is that the Cubans are a united and proud people. They admit to the limitations of their situation, but at the same time they are proud of their independence and self-sufficiency following fifty years of ups, downs, isolation and crippling foreign policies from big neighbours.

The government allows foreigners to stay in locals homes (those who have a permit), so it was great to live with people in everyday accommodation. Talitha has a good ear for Spanish, which helped us quite a lot.

We explored old towns and streets, frolicked in tobacco plantations, learnt about intriguing people, and smoked fat cigars (and then felt sick).

Love Tyson and Talitha X

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Ramblings from the confused……

It is interesting that Cuba remains to be the devil of the Caribbean. This little island continues to be on the receiving end of stringent US foreign policy. Some examples include the long running trade embargo, the fact that it is illegal for a US citizen to visit the country, the immigration policies and even the fact that all broadband internet connections purposefully bypass Cuba (by about 35miles) to service the rest of the Caribbean.

So why are the US finding it so hard to forgive Cuba?

Surely this couldn’t be solely due to their political persuasion. The US has found it within their hearts to start trading with China (who killed large numbers of US citizens in both the Vietnamese and Korean wars). They also trade with Vietnam (who, like China, is a leftward leaning country).  Throughout history they have also forgiven countries - the Germans, Japanese, English, etc. depending on how far you want to go back.

It couldn’t be due to the fear of military aggression. Cuba would not dare even contemplate aggression towards the US. They would be crushed in a moment. In fact all terrorist activity and military action has only ever come from the US. The Cold War is well and truly over so it can’t be that either.

So what is it?

This is why I find this little part of the world so interesting. I have my theories, but wont go into them.