Down for a week in Key West,I'm hearing lots of talk about Cuba being opened to US travelers. Key Westers, also known as Conchs, are hoping this happens because Key West is just a short 90 mile trip, a shorter distance than to Miami, at 140 miles, and would make a great jumping off point. A ferry ride from here could make it a day trip.
This would be a novel opportunity for US citizens, though not for folks from other countries, who've been visiting Cuba for decades. I hear it's a popular destination.
Of course, there's always the controversy. How many Cubans have fled in makeshift boats to escape the dictatorship? How many have died in their pursuit of freedom?
A few years back, a Cuban Coast Guard boat sailed straight into a harbor here, the officers disembarked wearing full military uniform, carrying their weapons, and proceeded to walk down Duval Street (the main drag) trying to find a policeman so they could surrender. No one who saw them batted an eye. But then, if you've ever been down here, you'd understand why. I've seen men in pirate get-up with parrots on their shoulders, a man dressed as Uncle Sam, a man walking a pot-bellied pig, lots of "silver" men, men in drag, etc. I'm sure people strolling down Duval thought the Cubans were just more strangely dressed Conchs.
I would probably take a ferry and go to Cuba for a day to see what it was like, but then I'm the explorer type. I'm wondering how much interest you would have in going. If you were in the Florida keys and had the chance, would you go for a day? A week? Or do you think we should keep our distance? Demand that they become a democracy first?
And now, it's time for a slice of Key Lime pie. Yummm. Maybe a Margarita, too.
Have a great week.
Kate
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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5 comments:
Not sure you can force others to think the way you do.
If I had a chance, I'd go. I'd love to see if the old casino's of the 50's (?) are still there. Walk the streets and imagine the glory days?
I've always found myself in a weird position because I own land in Cuba--on paper. It's an interesting story. When my grandfather married, in the 1920s, his mother (who had plenty of money) decided he needed something to occupy himself and his new bride, so she bought him a plantation on the Isle of Pines. That actually worked for a few years, until a hurricane in 1928 flattened the house, and they never went back. But they held onto the land, paying the taxes yearly, until 1958. I have photocopies of the deeds and other documents.
So...when the regime falls, what is my status? In the 50s there was talk of putting a resort on the island; now I think there's a prison.
Someday I might actually make the trip.
We are all in the same boat. I am sure the new goverment.....whoever it is will be asking.....Did you paid taxes in the last 50 years????
I think this is your answer.
My father and his parents lived in Cuba during World War II. They were German Jewish refugees from Hitler's Germany. They wanted to live here in the US, but couldn't because there was a restrictive quote on Jewish immigration.
Now all Cubans are welcome, no matter how they get to the United States. Cubans are the only people on earth who get privileged entry into this country.
To follow the Cuban story, the CubaNews list, a free Yahoo news group, has been active for almost nine years. Over 100,000 items are available for free at its easy-to-use archives.
Check it out!
Thanks,
Walter Lippmann
Los Angeles, California
If you want to go, don't let anyone tell you you can't. If you can't go from Miami go from a third country or Go with Pastors For Peace.
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