| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Havana | |
| piano paul -- 05/10/2005, 04:05:02 -- #13671 | |
| I am fortunate enough to be going on honeymoon to Cuba in a fortnight. We have 3 days in Havana. Has anyone been there and does anyone know some good venues? We are also staying in a resort for a while, which apparently has a senior citizen Cuban pianist who plays for 6 hours a day, every day. My good lady will have her work cut out keeping me out of the lounge and focused on relaxing. | |
| CynBad -- 05/10/2005, 12:25:43 -- #13677 | |
| I thought it was still illegal to travel to Cuba. But maybe you're not a U.S. citizen. | |
| nihonjin -- 05/10/2005, 18:04:06 -- #13690 | |
| Is it really illegal for U.S citizens so travel to cuba ? And Bush does he really think that USA is a free country then!!! I feel sorry for you Cuba has so much wonderful music an it's a shame if you don't have a chance to go hear it. Sincerly A voice from overseas | |
| nihonjin -- 05/10/2005, 18:06:10 -- #13691 | |
| Sorry for my spelling in the previous message!! I was too much in a hurry. | |
| marksdg -- 05/10/2005, 18:15:43 -- #13693 | |
| This is not true that US citizens cannot go to Cuba. I knew someone who travelled to Cuba to do research for their dissertation. I believe people may have to apply for a permit, but US citizens can definitely travel there. | |
| CynBad -- 05/10/2005, 18:20:05 -- #13694 | |
| Sorry, it is still illegal for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. Some people still sneak down there with fishing outfitters, etc., but it has been illegal since, oh, the Cuban Missile Crisis or therabouts. But I'm no historian. It's also illegal for U.S. citizens to buy/import Cuban goods, such as cigars. This was not Bush's doing, BTW... it's from decades ago. | |
| marksdg -- 05/10/2005, 18:23:11 -- #13695 | |
| I just checked, and it looks like there is a list of approved reasons for going to Cuba, one of which is academic research. Journalists, performers, religious pilgrims, and school groups are also allowed, but average Joe and Jane cannot go touristing there. | |
| CynBad -- 05/10/2005, 18:26:39 -- #13697 | |
| You are right, mark, I looked too, and it seems that some Americans can get permits to go there. | |
| CynBad -- 05/10/2005, 18:28:24 -- #13698 | |
| Well, since piano paul uses the term "fortnight", my guess is he's not a U.S. citizen anyway. | |
| CynBad -- 05/10/2005, 18:29:37 -- #13699 | |
| nihonjin, there are enough Cubans coming to this country to play their music here. | |
| nihonjin -- 05/11/2005, 04:24:37 -- #13707 | |
| Reply to Cynbad, Well it's not really the same to hear cuban musicians play in USA. I think you get a completely different experience if you hear music in it's own homeland. Besides it was just my point that people should be alowed by their own country to go whereever the want. If another country forbides you to enter you can't do anything about it. But if your own country decide where you can go and can't go there is something seriously wrong. I know that it's not Bush who is responsible for the present conditions. I think it´s from the cold war era but anyway I think he should change it. Does anybody today seriously consider Cuba a treat to USA ? | |
| piano paul -- 05/11/2005, 06:40:29 -- #13709 | |
| Well, that's opened a can of worms... I'm English, so no restrictions. In fact, going with a package tour operator. My future wife has been on a forum finding out about the hotel and she says there are quite a few Americans that stay there. Hmm, I can't imagine much journalism or religious study going on. But I have heard US citizens have problems getting there. Although it was on the news here last week that a US rock band just played a gig to several thousand in Havana, which was the first such event licensed by both governments for years. But then again I've also heard Bush hates Castro. I am a big fan of all the Buena Vista Social Club film and recordings - Ruben Gonzalez (no longer with us), Ibrahim Ferrer et al. Hoping to be able to hear some of them in Havana. | |
| CynBad -- 05/11/2005, 15:58:01 -- #13727 | |
| I'd like to visit Cuba too -- I think the rules are kind of ridiculous at this time. There are Americans who flaunt the rules and go with some offshore tour operator, or by taking some round-about route to get there. There seem to be quite a few Cuban groups who travel here to perform at festivals and workshops, but their time is always limited, as Cuba keeps them captive like prisoners. | |
| garyinthailand -- 05/14/2005, 12:23:35 -- #13822 | |
| Gee, you guys must be a lot of fun to smoke pot with (also illegal). I haven't gone to Cuba, but quite a few Americans do. (Of course, citizens of any other country in the WHOLE FREAKIN' WORLD can go there quite openly). All you have to to is go to Canada or Mexico, and board a tour there. The Cuban Immigration will obligingly not stamp your passport. This works 999 times out of thousand, I hear, but evey once in a great while, US border cops bust some poor schmuck. Probably to keep the right-wing Cuban mafia in Miami happy. btw, i also hear it's a little tougher if, like a friend of mine, you were born in Cuba. Then the government there makes you get a special permit before you can come in. | |
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