Our Cuba Experience I mentioned to my wife that for our wedding anniversary I would like to do something unique. I said I would like to take her out for a really good Cuban sandwich and a Mojito. She of course asked me where I wanted to take her, I replied "Cuba". Our planning started months before departure and we heard all kinds of negative comments about visiting this 'country of turmoil' to our South. I have been to all 50 states, over 30 different countries including Tahiti and other Society Islands. I have sailed the Caribbean as well as most of the Eastern seaboard and Gulf of Mexico. Our trip to Cuba has topped all of those places. The reason being is that we had heard so many negative things and when we were now actually in Cuba, talking and visiting with the real Cuban people, the truth about the other side of this country was amazing! We stayed at the Melia Cohiba in Havana, This is a first class accommodation and the amenities are fantastic. Across the street is the 8 mile long Malecon, the walkway overlooking the Atlantic and Straights of Florida. While during the day our schedule was filled with visiting organic farms and Paladins, our evenings were on our own. We walked the Malecon to mingle with young Cubans, playing real instruments and dancing and having a good time. This was at 1 am! We felt absolutely no fear or hostility and we even walked to see a show by the famous Buena Vista Social Club with three of the original members! In the following days, we visited with children at schools as well as music studios and small fishing villages. We enjoyed seeing all the old vintage American automobiles and talked with several owners that explained due to the lack of access for parts, many of the vehicles were 'hybrids'. Meaning they were kept running using parts of other countries autos. During the day we watched some kids baseball games and kickball. We enjoyed the fact that there was a lack of 'electronic devices' being used and the kids were being raised as a family unit. We visited several artist's studios as well as revolution square and understood more about what shaped this country, it's people, and it's leaders. The fort across from the entrance to Havana Harbor stages a ceremony every evening at 9pm. The colonial background and history are a welcome sight as the cannons thunder, signifying the closing of the city gates and closing of the harbor to protect the Cuban people from Pirates and intruders. Nowadays the closings are not needed but the ceremony has taken place every evening since 1868. It is tradition. We also visited the site of Cuba's capitol building which was built in 1929 and resembles our own countries 'White House'. The time my wife and I had in Cuba was just a small taste of history, beauty and real island people. Our plans are to visit more of this country and especially with the people that live here. There are many tourist areas with white sandy beaches, warm, crystal clear water and water sports like sailing and fishing. We tend to visit more local spots so as to meet and enjoy the locals and families in their everyday lives. We have questions of them and they ask questions of us, this is our communication and contribution toward a better world. Yes, we did have our Mojito and Cuban sandwich, but we got a lot more than we ever imagined, we will return- and soon. Dennis and Nancy Kirk