planning a trip to cuba

[fondueman]

... a very impressive and tempting set of photos, jke... itchy feet in these old shoes, now...

and isn't it an irony, the Alchemist has photos of happy and contented faces. also impressive...baseball boys and cigar smoking ladies. cuba has to be a good place...

one must consider all things.

thanks, frank

 

[jke]

Nicely said, Fondueman. And thanks for the compliment.

I don't think anyone on our trip had any illusions about the nature of the Cuban government. We had scientists, doctors, retired state department diplomats, retired journalists - all avid amateur ornithologists with keen observational skills. Well-read in foreign affairs. We had to go through quite a few hoops to get there legally, some hoops from our government and some from theirs.

I have met people here in NYC who were members of the American Communist party in the 50's who still view Cuba as a sort of revolutionary Shangri-lah. But that's their own myopia, not mine. Universal health care and a high literacy rate are accomplishments, but the lack of a free and open society is a big omission.

Still, in the countryside, I waved and people waved back. They waved and I waved back. Shook some hands. Talked. Maybe I was talking to the government. I certainly considered it. I tried to simply to treat everyone with respect like I was taught by my parents.

 

[fondueman]

apologies, friend. i think you misunderstand my use of "naive." it is meant more for people who are not seasoned travellers. i can not mean you as i don't know you. and i really don't think i have sent along any slurs to you or about you. sorry if you think so. i did say in my reply that your comments were worthy of your own values and not necessarily my own and that you have right. and to be sure, anyone's advice is worthy of respect where applicable, i'm sure yours applies to some.

so, so i thank him of his intentions...as i said in your quote of me. and i am impressed with your qualifications...how do you use them?

again as i said, consider all things.

frank

 

[boy_lah]

I've just posted a few shots on my flickr page.

 

[jke]

i can not mean you as i don't know you. and i really don't think i have sent along any slurs to you or about you.

No no, I didn't think that at all. Far from it. I liked what you said and thought it showed remarkable tact. Very perceptive. I was responding to the previous poster who was dismayed by the reality of the Cuban government after traveling there. I was just being a bit introspective and trying to decide whether I had in some way created the impulse for his response.

We're all good here. No fault no foul. 🙂

Nice shots with the DP1, boy_lah! Nice to see those.

 

[boy_lah]

Nice shots with the DP1, boy_lah! Nice to see those.

Thanks...I shot mainly with the m8 + Dp1 as well as m7 in BW. The digital ones ready quickest of course...will post more as i get over jet lag and need to go to work! 😛

 

[Schlapp]

Wonderful place and people - especially outside of Havana. Extremely safe and friendly. There are problems there but a lot less than in many of our so called 'free' societies.

 

[boy_lah]

Posted more on my Flickr site. Feedback / Comments welcomed.