So, with Cuba going all "capitalist" how long before you "Merkins"

[HEyHEY]

Can go to visit? Should that happen anyone here plan to go?

[gateley]

1. I think it would be fascinating, but probably pretty depressing, too. My mother

used to go down there when it was all razzle dazzle.

[HEyHEY]

2. My folks love it

They go every couple years. Never heard them say its depressing though.

[gateley]

3. I was thinking of the pictures of poverty I've seen, the old cars, kind of surreal.

What do your folks say about it? Is there a "tourist" area or do they just explore the whole place?

[HEyHEY]

4. They walk freely around Havana as far as I know

But you aren't allowed to tip and things like that and I believe you use tourist money... I think.

[gateley]

5. You should take a trip down there with them! It's history of a current time, as

opposed to going to Europe and seeing the ancient history, if that makes sense.

I wonder if it will soon become a hot spot again. Of course it will, with mafia money and an U.S. supported dictator -- just like the good 'ol days. It's always the fucking money.

[gateley]

6. Here -- we can go ourselves -- virtually.

http://4bars.com.au/web/2010/01/20/havana-club-masterclass-day-1/

http://4bars.com.au/web/2010/01/22/havana-club-masterclass-day-2/

http://4bars.com.au/web/2010/01/25/havana-club-masterclass-day-3-the-distillery/

http://4bars.com.au/web/2010/01/27/havana-club-masterclass-day-4/

[hermetic]

7. Wow,

that was very interesting. Mojitos for breakfast! I'll go.

Actually I did see this one little line in there, "However, beggars wherever we look, the real side of Cuba’s depression and obvious struggle seems to be on every street."

Sure looks like you can get a job easy enough if you've got any musical ability, though.

[gateley]

8. Wasn't that cool? I'm sure I "saw" things that I wouldn't have if I went to visit.

I missed that line - but that's basically what my sense of Cuba is - poverty. :-(

[Cal33]

9. In spite of their poverty, just look up Wikipedia's "List of countries

by their life-expectancies." Cuba ranks 37th. The USA ranks 38th. Their infant-mortality
rate is also lower than ours. Are our values too much befogged by materialism? What is more
important is: Do the Cubans appear to be happier, or less happy than we are?

[gateley]

13. Good questions/points all. nt

[JVS]

10. Why would I want to visit a country that is being transformed into Haiti 2.0 by "free markets"

I can see that at home anyway.

[Big Bill Jefferson]

11. As to what will happen in Cuba

that is certainly up in the air.

As for Cuba "going" capitalist, if that occurs, that is a false representation of the historical processes. The use of the passive can be used to disguise very active forces at work.

[stevedeshazer]

12. I would love to go there.

The regressive nature of the current US government ensures that I'll never have the opportunity in my lifetime.

It's beyond ridiculous.