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My Cuba trip last week summarized in an appropriate video

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Old Feb 5, 2011 | 07:47 PM
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Default My Cuba trip last week summarized in an appropriate video

Because I still have stamps in my passport from my heavy NY trips, I was accosted at Cuban Customs - I had to explain why I have US stamps in my Canadian passport!



Still, being Polish and also a Student, and somewhat good with my words, I was granted entry into a land that for some time, the majority of you will be denied entrance into.



http://www.youtube.com/user/Jed118?f.../0/ObkFt_r-Y0I



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Old Feb 6, 2011 | 08:22 AM
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Cool Trip vid man!!!, My wife wants to go there this year!...Last year was Argintina,year before Mexico, Next year ,going to Hawaii
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Old Feb 6, 2011 | 01:14 PM
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That is a really cool video, good song choice. It really does look beautiful there and I am sure there is a lot of history. It's so strange you see all those cars from the 50's, almost like time stands still. Why is that?



Is that Spanish fortress and the canons preserved in some way or is it abandoned? Amazing.



My dad used to have a 126p!!! A little impractical, but truly awesome cars!!! I doubt they were sent from Poland, but Russia instead



The beach looks almost identical to Miami Beach, and the roads remind me of the landscape of Key West.



Of all the Poles in Canada, I still find it amazing how I had partied with our friends just last year and how I met them, the chances become even slimmer. One day we will have to organize something!
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Old Feb 6, 2011 | 02:37 PM
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Great video, Jed. I enjoyed it. It seems the cars and landscape intrigued you the most.



How would you describe the culture? Where were you at that you recorded the dancing?
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Old Feb 6, 2011 | 04:50 PM
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The history of Cuba is mired with controversy and hypocrisy, truly a place to get lost in!



I will return!



The Polski Fiats were sent from Poland, as part of COMECON agreement- They are 100% Polish!



The cannons were used to defend Havana from Pirates and other invasive forces - And the British at one point, who managed to capture Havana for 2 years from the Spaniards, who exchanged the current state of Florida to get it back!



The general feeling I got was very similar to when I first came to Poland in 1992 - Very communist. The buildings, design of things, even the smells all reminded me of communism as I knew it. Since 1992, I have visited the motherland many times, and tremendous growth has occurred since - It was like traveling back in time, albeit also to a tropical place.



The people are genuine, there is no crime (I felt totally safe, even when I took the scooter to the slums - no issues at all), but it is quite poor - However, having visited Dominican Republic, I could say that Cuba is doing marginally better - and that's not a bad thing at all, considering the US embargo on that country (which, to the US' defense, I agree with) and the "periodo especial" and other various shortages - They are stuck in time in a sense, a simple, egalitarian time. These people are survivors, and don't b*tch about it.



Western society (who relentlessly sue for everything and anything) could (should) learn something from these people!



It will not last forever, but for now it seems that they are being invested in by China - ALL the tour buses, the scooters, and most of the newer cars (Geely) are Chinese - as are the oil wells that pump out sulfur-rich crude directly to the power generators - some of which are financed by PRC - A scary thought, if even to think that they can install nuclear silos there! 1962 all over again!



It was a good experience. I hope to repeat it soon! I missed Hemingway's residence, and a few other sights on my list!
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