Traveling to Cuba from the U.S., Oh the Obstacles!

Getting to this island has been nothing but endless obstacles, from the American Embargo itself to issues back home. The more problems I faced on this voyage, the more worth it had. With plans to come here in the summer, a car wreck set me back mentally and financially, using my trip finances for a car replacement. Saving up for this trip was a mission of its own as I am also strictly saving paycheck to paycheck, a chunk of money to fund a gap year in 2016. So coming here was not just like any other ordinary trip I have taken in the past few years, it has value despite all the setbacks. Because of all the historic politics taking place and the thawing out of the ridiculous cold war relic of an embargo, between the US and Cuba, there is without a doubt no better time to travel to a country free of any American imperialism than right now. Returning and stressing about US immigration is a story on its own, but for now, lets just get there from South Carolina.

Fortunately, my mom tagged along not only to help split costs and stretch out the budget, but to create some life long memories on this historic voyage, especially if I plan to be gone for so long around the globe in the next few years. While the planning was seemingly impossible despite the proximity of Cuba to the US mainland, we made a far-fetch itinerary with awkward plane layovers, work.

Travel Itinerary goes like so:
-Drive 1 hour and change to Charlotte, North Carolina
-Fly 3 hours to Cancun (American Airlines)
-6 hour (12 hour layover really) layover in Cancun
-1 hour and change to Havana (Cubana de Aviacion)
-ENJOY CUBA (2 weeks)
-1 hour by plane from Santiago to Havana (Cubana de Aviacion)
-1 hour and change to Cancun from Havana (Cubana de Aviacion)
-1 night on the beach in Cancun
-Fly 3 hours to Charlotte (American Airlines)
-Drive 1 hour and change back to Greenville, SC
-(My moms itinerary was the same except a bus back to Havana for a night from Trinidad and leaving 8 days before me)

Total cost to be in the air: 780ish
(A non stop flight would have been a blessing at this point)

When we though we had everything in check and set for this trip, our problems didn’t end at our home doorstep on the way out. Little did we know the reputation of Cubana de Aviacion, Cuba’s national air carrier, would be an airline known for frequent tardiness and problems. After being delayed an hour and a half, being transported via bus to our airline, sitting in it for about an hour, the plane decided it didn’t want to “work”, sending us back to Cancun airport via bus for an additional hour. A whole day wasted on traveling with thoughts of possibly not making it to Havana that evening. Thankfully, our problems did end that evening as we we returned to our plane and flew nonstop to Havana. Aside from my mom being questioned at immigration at Jose Marti Airport because of a different hairdo than in her photo (last name is Castro also), we finally made it across a long endless barrier of problems into a world of reminders that everything we went through, was worth it.

Upon arrival in Havana, after a long day of travel, restlessness with layovers and plane malfunctions, lengthy currency exchange lines in a 2nd hand smoke hell of an airport, we finally could take in the fact that we made it to Cuba. Finally seeing our first vintage American classics in the evening while jamming out to “Sonique – Feel so good” with our taxi driver. Driving into town looking at all the deteriorating yet stunning Art Deco buildings pass by. Watching all the people in the streets go about their lives in such a fashion that you don’t ever see at home (thanks to technology).

We arrived at our casa about 5 to 6 hours late with the expectancy that our hosts would be asleep. Instead, they were wide awake, awaiting our arrival with open arms and a warm welcome, discussing our long journey, and finally showing us to our room before calling it a night and falling into a beautiful coma.

The next morning, we awoke early enough to enjoy a home cooked meal by our hosts and was nothing but delicious and thankfully, filling. Eggs, cheese, bread and butter, fruit, coffee, and great company. Nothing beat the memories of opening up the large doors to a balcony that over looked the streets of Havana and the everyday life of Cubans in the streets, selling things from mops, to groceries, and home decorations. Gazing down the “calle” until the unpredictable patterns of buildings and balconies became one single focal point . A sight I had wished to see practically my whole life. Despite the problems we faced, these little details were the perfect creation of a single thought, and that was the ice breaker that made me realize, I really made it to Havana.

Like any other big city, especially a country’s capital, there is more than enough to do, see, and experience depending on ones taste. My mom and I decided one full day was good enough to see especially with the limited time we had on the island, me 14 days and her 6 days. One day was good enough to travel in such a fashion to see everything deemed necessary to see and experience. From walking along the Malecón to the U.S. Embassy, to chatting with locals about the US/Cuba relations drinking Bucaneros. To taking in the Plaza de la Revolucion and El Capitolio gazing at all the colors of Art Deco and characters of each American vintage car had. To watching salseros do their thing along the Paseo del Prado, to finally watching the sun set over the city at Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro. Despite all the problems we faced, I let it all go, smiled, and told myself, I’m finally in Cuba. 🙂