"Lets Start The New Year Right!!!" Cuba by mannymiami

Cuba Travel Guide: 6,788 reviews and 12,640 photos

Cuba en mi Sangre!!!

Its very hard to love a country that one has not even been born at, but I guess when both your parents are Cuban and all your life you hear them talking about Cuba you grow the curiosity and even a love for this strange land. Well in 1990 I had the chance to go to Cuba and chaparone my Mother , it was her first time back in 35 years and it was just as exciting and emotional for her as it was for me. But the best part of it was that none of the family there had no idea that we where coming. Here in Miami there alot of agencies here that dealt with travel to Cuba then in New York where my parents live, so I arranged the whole trip myself from here in Miami. We had to be at the airport to check in at 4:00am to fly out at 7:00am. It was so unbelieveble that only a 35 minute flight from Miami would be like a time capsule going back 40 years. I will never forget as the plane was desending down towards Cuba the mountains and the rolling hills and those royal palm trees sticking out from all over the country side.. It was a whole diffrent world from the Cuban Miami that I was so use to seeing. We finally arrived at Jose Marti Internatinal airport and I can still feel the drumming of me heart as we arrived at the infamous forbidden land CUBA!!!!!! There was this strong aroma in the air that everytime I go back to Cuba greets me, the smell of tabaco, Cuban tabaco . Its just so cool how it goes so together with Cuba like coffee and milk and ham and cheese. It was really touchy to see hundreds of people at that time in the morning waiting for there families arriving from the States and even though we came at our own and knew that we where not expecting none of the family to come and give us la bienvenida it was still emotional. The most amaizing thing for me was how old and untouched of the modern things that you see in any of the other countries in the free World, that was really mind blowing. Anyhow now I will go and place some pictures and I will continue my story ma?ana..... so keep in tune with and come back...

Pros and Cons

Pros:GREAT CULTURE,PEOPLE,ETC
Cons:NO FREEDOM
In a nutshell:Cuba for me is like a Pedro Almodavor movie surreal!!!

Last visit to Cuba: Oct 2000
Intro Updated Apr 18, 2004
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Reviews (93)

Welcome to Cuba!!! Things to Do (31)

Have you chosen Cuba because of the charm of its population, its dreamy beaches, its rum and its fast-paced rhythms ?... more travel advice

Step by step the World is breaking off... Local Customs (8)

In a bitter criticism of the executions carried out last week in Cuba, José Saramago, the Nobel Prize-winning Portuguese... more travel advice

The lonely Rafter. Favorites (16)

I'll never forget that afternoon as the sun was setting, I saw this man just pick up and got on an intertube and just... more travel advice

Tropicana Nightlife (1)

Tropicana I dont know whether to consider this place a tourist trap, but it would be so much nicer if it was'nt that... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (14)
See All American Killed in Havana
Tourist Traps (4)
See All I don't know whether this...
What to Pack (1)
Packing List

Transportation (2)
See All Check out my travelougue on...
Off The Beaten Path (15)
See All Havana Slums
Hotels (1)
I myself stay at my families...

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (217)

nomad7890 Jun 25, 2008 at 6:46 PM Report Abuse

Hi Manny - good pages! Unfortunately when I lived there I only went as far as Varadero - I would love to visit Santiago some day. When my Dad took me to school down the Malecon we'd chase waves and try to get them to land on ther car.
tigerjapan Dec 29, 2005 at 12:36 AM Report Abuse

Great Cuba pages! I just got back from Cuba this week. Had an amazing time and can't wait to get back there again. Your tips were very helpful.
Homanded Sep 11, 2005 at 9:09 PM Report Abuse

Wow Manny, great page. As a Cuban who left "home" as a young child, I've always wanted to experience my culture. I'm really enjoying your pages. Very honest in your writing. Thanks!
florry Sep 3, 2005 at 7:35 AM Report Abuse

Hey, great pages..love your photos off cuba..will be going there in a few month again:) greetings from ireland
wygela Apr 17, 2004 at 8:07 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful! A real labour of love. I cant find any mention (yet) of Salsa dancing? Its on my list of places to go - soon. Thanks for the great insight.
hgchuy Mar 29, 2004 at 7:27 PM Report Abuse

I like your Elegua car, ese es mi santo!
cassovia Mar 27, 2004 at 2:31 PM Report Abuse

how poignant - Nuestra Senora, Cuba cigar and a 'copa' of rum. I'll be there in April
QbanYorker Dec 14, 2003 at 9:43 PM Report Abuse

Today Saddam Tommorrow Castro!!! Great Page!!!
Luchonda Dec 12, 2003 at 6:12 PM Report Abuse

I think i missed some oldies ! Thx for this nice page - will be back in Cuba by X-mas ! Greets
Bohemedream Oct 20, 2003 at 8:02 PM Report Abuse

Your pages are great!! I had hoped to visit Cuba last month while in Playa Del Carmen...ran out of time!