Oh hey, I went to Cuba.

[cinderbella]

I'm so jealous - your pictures are wonderful!

[miniroller]

So Impressed with your photography skills! A major component of which is feeling the emotion you had while shooting- AMAZING!!

[livinitup]

Are you embargoed from the US now?

[sometimesrunner]

Jul 16, 2016 21:54:57 GMT -5 livinitup said:

Are you embargoed from the US now?

Americans can travel to Cuba now.

[agnes]

I have been enjoying your IG! It makes me want to go.

[cajunmom]

Amazing! We are planning a trip there, hopefully over Thanksgiving. If it doesn't work out then it'll be around Easter. Any advice you can share? Where did you book your flights?

[lilac05]

Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous country! Glad you had a great trip! We met local friends & went to a local club, too. So, so much fun!

[cajunmom]

Jul 16, 2016 22:09:32 GMT -5 mp said:

Jul 16, 2016 22:05:00 GMT -5 cajunmom said:

Amazing! We are planning a trip there, hopefully over Thanksgiving. If it doesn't work out then it'll be around Easter. Any advice you can share? Where did you book your flights?

I booked Aeromexico through Mexico City. Super easy - I know they have a few direct flights from the US approved, but I don't know when they're starting if they'll be ready in time. In Mexico City I simply got the Cuba visa for under $20 at the airline customer service, and US citizens get a form to check a box for the reason you're visiting. Easy peasy.

Look up my threads - there was some good advice which I found helpful in a recent one!

I stayed in an Air BNB in Central Havana, about a ten min walk to Old Havana, and 2 blocks from the Malecon. I thought it was a nice choice, only $30/night, decent location, and definitely gave me more of the authentic Cuban vibe.

This is my 20th country, so while I am quite well traveled I am also not the MOST well traveled - but I would say that there was less English spoken, overall, than I am used to. I know some Spanish, barely, but definitely had to rely on it. In the higher end placed in Old Havana (Habana Vieja) you won't have as much trouble. 

Oh - and definitely convert to Euros or CAD before you go, instead of USD. Even at the airport or banks, you're paying a 10% fee to change USD. And bring cash, as our cards are still not accepted generally.

Thanks! I will look up your posts. We're booking airBnB's also, and my good friend that's going with us is fluent in Spanish so hopefully she'll be able to help us overcome any language barriers. 

[livinitup]

Jul 16, 2016 22:00:10 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

Jul 16, 2016 21:54:57 GMT -5 livinitup said:

Are you embargoed from the US now?

Americans can travel to Cuba now.

Thanks

[lovelyshoes]

I am So jealous! Your pictures are gorgeous.

[abcdefu]

mp,you are so talented! Those pics are gorgeous! I'm sure you have amazing pictures from all those countries!

[everyjuan]

Your photos are GORGEOUS. I'm glad you had such an amazing time!

[gogadgetgo]

Amazing. So jealous!

[loira]

Awesome photos! I'm glad Americans can go now. I went in 2006 and it was amazing.

[noradog]

You're pictures are great, and I'm jealous. Sounds like an amazing trip.

[5hole]

So jealous and your pictures are amazing.

[thisorthat]

Your photos are wonderful. I can feel the emotion while viewing them. Especially the one of the men outside.

[tiptoetulips]

Jul 16, 2016 22:05:01 GMT -5 mp said:

Jul 16, 2016 21:54:57 GMT -5 livinitup said:

Are you embargoed from the US now?

I was all prepared to pull out my receipt showing I was under $100 for my cigar purchases, etc etc- US customs didn't give a flying fuck. They were like "Cuba, ok have a nice day." 

Your pictures are stunning. I went in high school with my church and got cigars for my dad not thinking I was only 17. The Miami customs were jerks. I'd love to go back. 

[shoeless]

Amazing photos!

[KKD]

Gorgeous photos! You are so talented! Sounds like an awesome trip!

[isabel]

These pictures are so cool.

[Eureka1984]

Your pics are so cool! Glad you had a good time!

[karinothing]

SO how was the food?

[insominac]

I would love to see more pictures...

And tell me about the salsa club...

[MamaMaui24]

Incredible! My in laws are from Cuba. We need to go soon!

[cville]

Those pictures are amazing!

[gummybear]

My brother's girlfriend just got back too and she said it was amazing. So jealous of both of you. Gorgeous pics!