Join | Member Login
Arlington (VA) Chamber of Commerce | Arlington, VA 22201
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Join Now!
    • Chamber Assisted Grand Openings
    • Chamber Member Retirement Program
    • ShopChamber
    • Advertising >
      • Website Ads
      • E-Newsletter Ads
      • Print Ads
    • Committees
    • LeadShare
    • Annual Corporate Sponsors
    • Member Login
  • Business Directory
  • Events
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar >
      • Submit a Community Event
    • Networking Events >
      • Chamber 101
      • Breakfast Connection
      • Business After Business
    • Signature Events >
      • Arlington Business Gala
      • Hospitality Awards
      • Legislative Breakfast
      • Arlington Chamber Volunteer Day
      • AWE Women in Business Summit
      • Best Business Awards
      • State of the County & Public Safety Awards
      • Annual Meeting
    • Educational Events
    • Women in Business
    • Travel
    • Online Learning Center
    • COVID-19 Event Policy
  • Community
    • Arlington Restaurant Week
    • Small Business Accelerator
    • Early Childhood Financial Resiliency Accelerator
    • Coronavirus Resources
    • Coupons
    • Job Board
    • Scholarship Fund
    • About Arlington >
      • Business Resources
      • Map of the Area
      • Visiting Arlington
  • Business Advocacy
    • Public Policy Positions
    • Arlington Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Planning
      • Project Support
      • Economic Development
      • Processes
      • Retail & Signage
      • Transportation
    • Virginia Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Transportation
      • Economic Development
      • Other Topics
    • Recent Advocacy
  • About the Chamber
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Chamber in the News
    • Strategic Plan
    • FAQs
    • Blog
    • Publications >
      • Arlingtonian Archives
      • Arlingtonian Archives
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Join Now!
    • Chamber Assisted Grand Openings
    • Chamber Member Retirement Program
    • ShopChamber
    • Advertising >
      • Website Ads
      • E-Newsletter Ads
      • Print Ads
    • Committees
    • LeadShare
    • Annual Corporate Sponsors
    • Member Login
  • Business Directory
  • Events
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar >
      • Submit a Community Event
    • Networking Events >
      • Chamber 101
      • Breakfast Connection
      • Business After Business
    • Signature Events >
      • Arlington Business Gala
      • Hospitality Awards
      • Legislative Breakfast
      • Arlington Chamber Volunteer Day
      • AWE Women in Business Summit
      • Best Business Awards
      • State of the County & Public Safety Awards
      • Annual Meeting
    • Educational Events
    • Women in Business
    • Travel
    • Online Learning Center
    • COVID-19 Event Policy
  • Community
    • Arlington Restaurant Week
    • Small Business Accelerator
    • Early Childhood Financial Resiliency Accelerator
    • Coronavirus Resources
    • Coupons
    • Job Board
    • Scholarship Fund
    • About Arlington >
      • Business Resources
      • Map of the Area
      • Visiting Arlington
  • Business Advocacy
    • Public Policy Positions
    • Arlington Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Planning
      • Project Support
      • Economic Development
      • Processes
      • Retail & Signage
      • Transportation
    • Virginia Advocacy >
      • Budget & Taxes
      • Transportation
      • Economic Development
      • Other Topics
    • Recent Advocacy
  • About the Chamber
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Chamber in the News
    • Strategic Plan
    • FAQs
    • Blog
    • Publications >
      • Arlingtonian Archives
      • Arlingtonian Archives
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us

ChAmber Blog

Simply, Cuba!

12/7/2016

0 Comments

 
PictureCuban ceramic art
By Barbara Nicastro, The Law Offices of Barbara E. Nicastro

The standard explanation Cubans give for why things are as they are in Cuba is, “It’s complicated.” This phrase became our mantra during our Chamber adventure to Cuba.
​
The trip could not have been better timed. We experienced the last days of Fidel Castro’s life and the moments right after our presidential election. It provided experiences that I will always cherish as unique. From the moment we deplaned in Havana, it was clear that we were far from home. Dozens of huge, blue plastic-wrapped items came down the baggage rack – all gifts/necessities coming to Cuba from America. Who are these people arriving? How did they get from Cuba in the first place? “It’s complicated.”

PictureCentral Square Old Havana
Logistics were interesting. How do we exchange money? What’s the exchange rate? How do I do the math on what something actually costs? “It’s complicated.” Which of the many Cuban rums, cigars, and coffees do I bring home?  How heavy can my bags be without costing extra in Cuba? Will I be able to carry that canvas or sculpture or ceramic on the plane? “Who knows?  It’s complicated.”

I’m not “pie-in-the-sky” about the conditions in Cuba since 1959, and I don’t condone the impact of the Castro regime on Cubans and Americans. But, with an open mind and an eye to take in all that Habana has to offer, the exposure to Cuban culture and people was eye-opening. The logistics and scope of our itinerary filled our days: we learned how handmade cigars were created on a guided tour by a Cuban cigar expert of a cigar factory, where we saw the process firsthand. We stood in the Plaza de la Revolution and saw the images of Fidel, Che Guevara, and others on buildings. We toured the Museum de la Revolution, where we learned about Cuban history and saw pre- and post-Castro artifacts. We saw and learned about the multicultural background of the Cuban population and culture: mixing indigenous Cubans with Spanish conquerors and African slaves to create a rainbow of faces and experiences that incorporates part of each segment’s background and culture. 

The culture of Cuba was fascinating. We saw a performance by Habana Compas Dance group, met a local sculptor in his studio, and visited the studio of the artist known as the “Picasso of Cuba.” We took a personal tour of Old Habana with the architect tasked with its renovation. We spent an evening at the Vegas-themed outdoor musical revue at Tropicana (think Godfather II with Fredo!). We toured the home of Ernest Hemingway, and enjoyed many wonderful meals – and mojitos – at the Paladars (privately owned restaurants). We paid a visit to a large art and craft market, and as the grand finale of our trip, were chauffeured to our final dinner in classic cars. No matter the experience, our senses were filled with vibrant color, sounds and smells! 

Not all was pretty though: you could see buildings not touched since Castro took over. We learned how difficult it was to move to a new residence, we saw street dogs begging for love over food, and we saw the difference between a government food store and a private farmers market. We realized that we all spend more on a meal in Arlington that most Cuban people earn in a month, and that the fence between our four star Spanish hotel and the Atlantic Ocean was to keep people out and not us in, and that a gratuity of two or three dollars and some toiletries was a big deal. And the Cubans (at least THIS week) still take no American credit cards or checks, have a totally different currency for Cubans and for tourists, and have little or no internet/cell phone service for Americanos. It’s complicated.

All this being said, I loved every moment of my Cuban experience, and I would go back in a heartbeat to spend more time exploring the things I saw for an hour or two and to see more of the country. But who knows what sort of Cuba will be there the next time I can visit? It’s complicated and growing more complicated by the day. So, go while you can, experience all Cuba has to offer, and bring the best American behavior to them. It’s a simple choice.

To learn about traveling to Cuba with the Chamber, view our 2017 Cuba Getaway trip details. For more information about all of the Chamber's travel programs, visit our travel page.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    The mission of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen businesses and the economic environment for those who work, live and do business in Arlington.
    Picture
    Contribute to the blog!
    Educate the Chamber membership and Arlington business community by writing a post for our blog! To get started download the blog guidelines and blog template. For questions and more information, contact the Communications Manager.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2023 Arlington Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
2009 14th Street, North  | Suite 100 | Arlington, VA 22201 | Directions
Tel (703) 525-2400 | chamber@arlingtonchamber.org
MemberClicks
Subscribe to This Week At Your Chamber
For Email Marketing you can trust.
Home | ​Join Now | Site Map