Some new Cuba video...

Fascinating process to watch

I've just posted some new video to my Cuba Facebook page, and it's also on the website, Cuba - Forbidden Paradise. This video shows cigar rolling the Cuban way, and there are several other videos - sailing off Havana, a Cuban art atelier, and a nice one showcasing those wonderful old American cars on the streets of Havana and Varadero.
Enjoy, and if you watch on the Facebook page, be sure to like and share us!

Cuba News...

Cuban rafters 'emigrating' from the country to the US - photo from the FP article

The changes in Cuba continue. In the past year, the Castro government has permitted Cubans the right to buy and sell those gorgeous old cars. Previously, this was not allowed. The bad news: they can only be sold between Cubans, you're not going to be able to import one of those beauties back to the US.
Another change - Cubans will now be permitted to buy and sell real estate. Again, this was not permitted, with Cubans living where the government told them to, in whatever house they were assigned.
Lastly, Cubans will be permitted to leave the country now that the process of getting a passport has been simplified for them. However, don't expect a huge exodus of Cuban tourist visitors in Nebraska - while changes have been made, the average Cuban cannot afford the cost of travel. As well, professionals such as doctors and engineers are still not permitted to leave the country.
Joani Sanchez' article here gives the entire story. Sanchez is a human rights' dissident in Cuba and an active blogger on the situation there.
Plus que ça change...

 

Some Great Cuba Video...

I'm now heading south from the Great Lakes, destination Cuba (to follow the current adventure, check out LiveBloggin' the ICW). I'm sure you're as excited about being along with Aduana (the Wonderpuppy®) and I as part of the 'virtual' crew of Gypsy Wind while we finish the circumnavigation of Cuba, as I am to be going back!
I'd like to give you a sneak preview of some of what we're going to see while we're underway - you can check out the videos at Cuba: Forbidden Paradise - plus you can follow the action on the Facebook Page. And here are a few photos of Cuba for you as well.

For those of you who want a really cool memento, I've done a screensaver, complete with the fabulous sound of Carmelo Son, out of Varadero. This screensaver has shots of those fabulous old time Cuban cars and is lots of fun. It's available for both Windows and Mac computers....all you have to do is 'Like' the facebook page, and leave me a message with your OS and I'll send you a link to get your free (Free is Good!©) screensaver. Or, you can sign up here for email updates or as a follower, and again, let me know what your OS is and I'll send you that link to download the screensaver.*
Also, be sure to sign up for regular Cuba updates from this blog - the link is on the right side of this page - we'll be posting regularly from here on as plans and preparation get underway, and the countdown to this fantastic voyage begins.

* Mandatory fine print! I created this screensaver from my own photos, so there is absolutely no chance of any virus, etc. with it. Not to mention, I don't have the skills to do that stuff anyway. So enjoy your screensaver without worries.

Some exciting news...

This blog is again live...and there's lots and lots of news! First of all, the 2013 trip to Cuba's south coast will be for the purpose of filming the show  'Cuba - Forbidden Paradise'. You can get more details on that project at the show's site or at our Facebook page 
We've also started a fundraising program to cover the costs of producing this show....check it out and earn great gifts for your donation at the Kickstarter.com site. (The fund raiser is now over, but you can still check out the site).
More details later, but lots of new stuff at those sites for you to mull over until I get back here!
Hasta la vista, baby...