So I started on my research and fact finding exercise on Cuba. First off
was a copy of the lonely planet guide on Cuba. This was follow by searches on the net -
again lonely planet (not very good on cuba), fodors web site (great!). I also got in touch
with the australian- cuban friendship society - I was advised to attend their fundraising
evenings to meet up with others (I have yet to do this). Also checked out study tours
(through universities offering latin american studies - not much luck! and Community Aid
Abroad’s information tours
- at this moment there is nothing on offer for cuba. (of course my south american friends
have been a good source of information as well - though none of them have been to cuba)
Almost every literature on Cuba - touches on Che. Che it appears is synonymous with
Cuba. In my mind I had to find out more. Within weeks my voracious appetite had devoured
almost every book on Che. Right now I feel my "dream tour" is going to be
sabotaged’ by Cuba and Che! My initial plan of only a few days in Havana now looks
like a few weeks, as I am keen to do the Sierra Meastra and Santigo de cuba which I gather
are not "infested" with tourists. Everything I do these days seems to conciosuly
or unconciously with cuba in mind - drinking only cuban rum (havana club), dancing to
cuban music (salsa) and tuning in to our discussion site which just offers such a totally
different perspective to things. (Even Drew’s and Jorge’s highly charged banter
offers an insight.
Cuba is not a common destination for australians - hence getting there is going to be
rather convoluted. I am investigating the best way to get there. I will write more about
this and some of the other difficulties I am facing in planning this trip in my next note.
With smiles
Chandri
