how crucial to plan ahead?

mixed emotions, too. Thank you. I echo those throughout my whole commitment to this trip and my motivations for going. Almost considered staying home for fear of being an energy that was incongruent with keeping Cuba its integral self. But in the end, for the purposes of this forum, I consider that while I am a tourist, my experiences and knowledge should not be mine alone or that they contribute to the process of more regrettable tourism. My purposes for travel in the future will stick more closely to low impact and service, or I'll stay local. Crucial considerations. Thank you for responding!

mixed emotions, too. Thank you. I echo those throughout my whole commitment to this trip and my motivations for going. Almost considered staying home for fear of being an energy that was incongruent with keeping Cuba its integral self. ...............

Rest easy. There is the other 98% of Cuba that tourists never visit. There remain places where friendly Cubans will invite you into their homes then have friends and neighbors come see these odd creatures that they have heard about but never actually met in person.

Nice report thanks.

Yes, thank-you for your report. My hubby and I are leaving on the 23rd of this month. Heading to Baracoa and Maisi.

They are waiting with open arms for our arrival in Maisi as we sent some money to people who were hit very hard by the hurricane. Just the other day we received pictures of the finishing of the roof on their new home which I might add has running water. In the distance I could see new leaves on the palm trees...

I asked for suggestions as to what we could bring along for them.... the reply, just yourselves. I love the heart and soul of the people of Cuba. We will of coarse bring tools, and clothes, sheets, herbs and spices, a little something for the kids. Perhaps garden seeds.... and more.

I understand your comment regarding the impact of your presents on the limited resources of the island. Knowing Cubans are not allowed beef or lobster, we will not eat them. I have heard the lobsters, for the tourist, are being harvested in such a way their numbers are being depleted. There is much to learn from these people.

And to anyone who has been there you will likely return and to those who have not yet made it, when you go, please leave as small an impact as possible regarding the eco system. Let's contribute to it being the most pristine ecological place in the world as long as possible. thank-you

On one of my previous visits, I rented a scooter and traveled away from the tourist area. I was waved down by a family who were on their porch so stopped there to chat, and they invited me for dinner. What an amazing visit, and now am planing my next visit for 3 weeks and hope to find similar people to visit in out of the way places.

I have justnoticed your comment about beef. It is not that Cubans are not permitted beef. It is that they were supposed to be able demonstrate that they obtained it legally.

I remember on one of my earliest trips to Cuba early 2000s talking with a Cuban about eating beef,lobster,chicken breast and he telling me how on his block in his neighborhood someone had gotten a hold of fresh horse meat and they had to eat it undercover as it wasn't permissible to be in possession of it at the time,they bribed the cdr by providing him with some so no one ever was wise to it.I asked how it tasted,he replied just like beef except bloodier and they enjoyed every bit of it.

Didn't Pedro Juan Gutierrez have a story about black-market meat ?

He has a title called dog meat,never read it.

Knowing Cubans are not allowed beef or lobster, we will not eat them.

Nor are Cubans not allowed to eat lobster.