Yet you continue to disregard the nature of a government who has done irreparable damage to two plus generations of Cubans whose hopes it has suppressed or annihilated. Why would you want to participate in this sad farce, except due to a morbid fascination with a decrepit, but still ruthless, dictator. Please, spare us the accounts of your joyful trip to a country that is a virtual prison. You see, I was born on the island and had to flee in 1962. I had not been back in 39 years, and finally got to go at the end of 2000.
Repression is still much a part of everyday life, and so is scarcity of food and medicines.
I never favored the embargo, but the problem really is the ferocious dictatorship. My remaining family's everyday life is an ordeal. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that reality becomes blurry in the eyes of tourists. I thank the Lord I live in a country where my opinions count, and where I can express my views freely. Like Mr. Horn said, stick to travel.