Cuba is numero uno on my bucket list. Can't wait to go there, but from what I've seen, prices are rather astronomical. And those prices are from Miami, so I would have to include airfare from Chicago. I'm sure fares will come down as the overall excitement of (finally) being able to go there wanes a bit.

Not sure where you're seeing astronomical prices, but if so then you need a new travel agent. Cuba is by far one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean. Of course, the trick is not to confuse Cuba with Miami Beach or Ocho Rios. If you WANT it to be expensive then it certainly can be, but if you travel like the Canadians, Latin Americans and Europeans have been doing for decades you'll find wonderful home lodgings with families in what they call "casas particulares" who will take the best care of you throughout the island nation. Here's a decent website with a selection of casas particulares all over the island: http://www.hospedajecubano.com/

Many affordable travel packages will put you in Havana's Hotel Riviera the first night. Meyer Lansky's old place. The place still looks like the 50's, and the ledges around the outside look like they were designed either for hitmen to move around or for a clandestine rendezvous. Right next door is the Meliá Cohiba, an expensive hotel that I found handy for their internet service.

One thing that disappointed me after being accustomed to Mexican fare for the past couple of decades is the food in Cuba. No salsa. No tortillas. Frijoles y arroz are called moros y cristianos. Things like milk, butter, yogurt, and cream are hard-to-find luxuries, though the nicer hotels will have them. Apparently the tourists eat better than the locals, something that will bother you until you find out the hotel workers are adept at stealing food from the hotels. But in the rural areas I really missed having drawn butter with my huge lobsters!

A hidden gem in La Habana is La Guarida where many scenes from the excellent movie "Fresa y Chocolate" were filmed.

Here we are sitting at the same table where King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain enjoyed their meal at La Guarida.

¡Buen viaje!

Ah there you go Robert, now you have touched the tip of the iceberg. Most of your life around Cubans.............naw, I don't think so. Do the math!

See ya in a couple of days.

We are packing the coach and heading south, so this should be it for awhile. Zihuatanejo next stop!

my experience was completely different.

i found the cuban people extremely informed and educated, and completely engaging

have fun. it will blow your mind. was my favorite trip of all time and i have been (almost) all over the world

I agree. I guess Dennis didn't have an actual conversation with anyone, because if there's one thing Cubans are it's highly educated and surprisingly well informed.

And Dennis says to keep politics out of it while he does everything but in his anti-commie rant. Well, if attitude is everything then that says it all right there.

US citizens can't help but be curious about the differences in politics and culture, but you must be very discreet when discussing politics with Cubans. They have to live a dual life much like teenagers living at home: one face for the street and one for your parents. Change is coming slowly but surely, but folks with privileges don't want to lose them, and others without want to get them, so folks turn others in for being "disloyal" to the government. Think McCarthyism.

Overall after living around Cubans most of my life I find them engaging and warm but also products of their history, which has made them quite enterprising but a bit hard around the edges out of necessity. Kind of like a cross between New Yorkers and Aussies but with a definite upbeat Latin American personality.

I know some of you have been to Cuba. I'm headed there soon for a couple of weeks. Other than some advanced Spanish work and mandatory salsa lessons, I'll be pretty much on my own, staying at a casa particular in Habana Vieja. Could use some tips on places to go & things to do in the city and within a few hours' bus ride beyond.

Secondly, I'll be writing an article or two about the experience for my travel blog. Angles I'm considering include language learning as a vehicle for travel; Cubans' relationship with Nature; and Cubans' expectations & hopes for the future. Any suggestions for other interesting angles?

Finally, I'm curious what you've found to be the easiest, most reliable way to stay in touch from Cuba with folks back in the US.

First, for staying in touch back home I used Skype. I used it mainly to call the local movie theaters while in Cuba so I could continue to post the weekly movies.

Not sure how long you'll be there. There is SO MUCH uniqueness to see and experience in Cuba. Be sure to visit Hemingway's home "Finca El Vigía" where you'll find everything just as he left it and where you can see his recently restored fishing boat "Pilar". Here it is while restoration was underway.

The Hemingway library at Finca El Vigía.

Bacardi Building at dawn (but we ONLY make mojitos with Havana Club!)

The DuPont Beach Home in Varadero - great place for lunch

The Palacio del Valle in Cienfuegos - a magical place in a magical town on the way to Trinidad

Ruins of the Iglesia de Santa Ana in Trinidad de los Ingenios,

Trinidad de los Ingenios - the town where Cortez set sail to Mexico from.
Easy to spend lots of time in this region. Must see the disco in the cave!

The Tropicana in La Habana. I got asked to dance. Man, did SHE have some moves!

i found the cuban people extremely informed and educated, and completely engaging

have fun. it will blow your mind. was my favorite trip of all time and i have been (almost) all over the world

As someone who has been to Cuba a number of times I submit to you a couple of things you might want to consider. First try and be really objective and scratch the surface to reveal the REAL Cuba.

Don't keep your head in the clouds and be impressed by anything. The people there are captive subjects of a communist regime that does nothing for them.

Keep politics out of it, although frankly I dont see how that is possible.

The Cuban people are poor, uninformed, they have no internet, fed BS and are basically removed from the real world (which may not be the worst thing considering the condition of the world.)

Last time I was personally there was 4 years ago. I was not impressed and truly felt sorry for the people of Cuba.

I sincerely hope you see it for what it is. And don't forget that the people running that country are the same people who wanted to put nuclear missles 90 miles from our shores. When they are gone perhaps we can open our doors to Cuba again.

Have a safe trip.

Secondly, I'll be writing an article or two about the experience for my travel blog. Angles I'm considering include language learning as a vehicle for travel; Cubans' relationship with Nature; and Cubans' expectations & hopes for the future. Any suggestions for other interesting angles?

Finally, I'm curious what you've found to be the easiest, most reliable way to stay in touch from Cuba with folks back in the US.