They hustle so much during the days, they want comfort and good food at night. They stay at Havana's newly-renovated Ambos Mundos Hotel, where Ernest Hemingway spent his first night on the island. Next door is the headquarters of the government's cigar ministry, Habanos, and its famed cigar museum. Food is very important. Instead of the hotel, guests can opt to visit private homes that Castro has licensed to serve meals.
Visitors get to know their lifestyles, which is more enriching than the usual tourist routine.
Americans get first-hand experience about Cubans, refuting media propaganda. Despite their poverty, the gracious natives always offer gifts. Cubans never confuse American citizens with the policies of Washington, and demonstrate a great warmth for Americans. We lunch at local restaurant, accompanied by music on 400 year old instruments. At San Francisco de Paulo, we tour the Hemingway House museum.