Have you lived in or visited Cuba?
I'm interested in anyone's personal experiences regarding Cuba. I've never had the chance to travel, let alone Cuba, which is still not allowed for U.S. citizens. A couple of years ago a spent quite a lot of time doing internet searches looking for the real Cuba. So much of it seemed like propaganda. Of course, U.S. articles depict Fidel Castro in a negative light. I found very few resources that showed positive aspects of living or traveling to Cuba. If you've been there, what are your experiences and what lasting impressions did you come away with? Is FIdel Castro viewed in a positive light or a negative light in Cuba? I don't want propaganda. That's in ready supply. I'd like personal experiences.
Thank you.
2 Answers
I had an opportunity to travel to Cuba for a short 2 week educational service trip with high school students a few summers back (I was one of the faculty sponsors). I have travelled extensively and in many countries I have been struck by the extreme inequalities. I see these ostentatious houses that are securely walled and guarded in fancy neighborhoods not far from other people living in extreme poverty with limited access to water and electricity or even comfortable housing. In Cuba on the other hand, I was struck by the unique feeling of being surrounded by people in the lower middle class. Both extreme poverty and ostentatious wealth could not be seen anywhere I travelled. There were plenty of difficulties of course, but everyone had good enough housing and access to water, food, health care, and school. Even in Cuba it is difficult to get a sense of how people feel about their government. There is a well embedded habit of keeping political conversations private and avoiding saying anything that might contradict the official message. Religious freedoms had been significantly limited in prior years (my hosts made me aware of this) but when I was there this was no longer the case and religious Cubans were not treated as second-class citizens. One of the best films I have ever seen about Cuba is an independent film called Viva Cuba. It is not propaganda for or against the current regime, but it does give you a beautiful panorama of the country and its people.
My sister went to Cuba with a church group several years ago (we are from Canada) to volunteer in whatever way possible. She told me that she was impressed and slightly saddened at the same time. Where the group went was a poor neighbourhood, so during the day they were volunteering in a good community but staying out at night was considered dangerous for the group. I don't remember the full story at this moment, but I will find out tomorrow and get back to you.
