Bill from Los Angeles wrote in to say that he took a flight legally
\n from L A to Havana to meet Dr Byron Barksdale and his Cuba Aids Group
\n in Cuba. All went – really well. The USA Customs officers treated me very
\n well and the Cuban people I met were most interested in talking with Americans.
\n There are many fine hotels to stay in at all price ranges and above all,
\n I felt very safe throughout my trip. <\/p>\n
Havana is a must see<\/b> before the embargo is lifted. I recommend
\n the trip to all your fine members. This prompted the Beetle to investigate.
\n Below is some more information from Byron about Cuba. <\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~ <\/p>\n
Cuba, the “Pearl of the Antilles” and Havana,
\n “the Paris of the West” are becoming the destination site in
\n the Caribbean since the Papal visit several years ago. The Cuban government
\n has relied on tourism to fuel the Cuban economy after the collapse of
\n the USSR. In contrast to other Caribbean destinations, in Cuba, the traveller
\n can find local restaurants where beer is 50 cents US and hard drinks (rum
\n mojitos or daiquiris) can be purchased for $1.00. <\/p>\n
The beaches in Varadero, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Largo are unspoiled and
\n the gentle slope of the shore allows easy swims and wading in crystal
\n clear waters. International arrivals are possible into Varadero, Havana,
\n Holguin, and Santiago de Cuba. USA citizens may travel to Cuba legally
\n through US Treasury Licenses for humanitarian purposes. An example is
\n humanitarian travel through Cuba AIDS Project, www.cubaaidsproject.com, which supports
\n Non Governmental Organizations (Monseratte Church, Caritas) in Cuba. <\/p>\n
While in Cuba, travellers can find inexpensive lodging, which includes
\n breakfast ($10-$25\/night) in local homes (casa particulars) and cheap,
\n but wholesome, meals at local family owned, private restaurants known
\n as paladars. If hotels are preferred, modestly priced rooms can be found
\n at Hotel Florida ($80\/night) in Old Habana or Hotel Riviera ($75\/night),
\n including breakfast, on the Seawall (El Malecon). Art, old books, literature
\n and music are available to enjoy and purchase in many “open air”
\n markets throughout Cuba. <\/p>\n
The time to see Cuba is before the USA Embargo is lifted. Once the USA
\n Embargo is lifted, the innocence and mystery of Cuba will rapidly be overrun
\n by millions of USA tourists seeking business and recreational activities
\n in Cuba and Cuba may end up looking like South Miami Beach very quickly.
\n Until then, for Globetrotters, the Great Possibilities of Cuba can be
\n enjoyed for reasonable prices and uncluttered by too many USA tourists.\n <\/p>\n
About the author: Byron L Barksdale grew up in South Florida and watched
\n ships sail back and forth to Cuba from West Palm Beach in the mid 1950s.
\n Currently, Byron is a pathologist in Nebraska serving small hospitals
\n and clinics in Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas. Only after he became a physician
\n could Byron find a legal humanitarian way to see and help the poor and
\n needy in Cuba through Cuba AIDS Project, www.cubaaidsproject.com<\/b> HIV\/AIDS
\n in Cuba is a public health concern for the USA since over 180,000 USA
\n citizens travel to Cuba each year and millions will go to Cuba after the
\n travel ban is lifted. <\/p>\n
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