Sunday, December 9, 2012

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!

Friday, December 7, 2012

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 รงa change...