Top Ten Highlights of my Cuban Adventure Part II

5. Havana Club Rum

I know this may not be a highlight for many, but for me, it was a huge part of the reason I wanted to travel to Cuba. I am a huge fan of rum, especially a Cuba Libre, and the fact that Havana Club is forbidden in The United States of America made it all the more enticing. I’ve tried a lot of rums to discover my favorites and Havana Club has remained the all elusive bottle amongst bottles.  It was time a discovered what all the hype was about.

While traveling in Cuba, I had the opportunity to drink a Cuba Libre in the country it is named after, kind of a dream come true; right up there with a Singapore Sling in Singaporeor a Long Island Iced Tea in Long Island.  I also was able to drink the luscious liquor morning, noon and night if I chose. It was often more plentiful and available than water, even coming in convenient juice boxes for traveling on the go.  I visited the distillery where it is made and watched sugar cane pressed into juice to make the liquor.  I was also able to get three bottles back to the United Stateswhere I can indulge in it whenever I want which is sparingly because of the worry I may never get it again.

If you are in Cubayou would be remiss not to try some of the magical liquor, either in a famous Cuba Libre or an equally delicious true mojito.

4. Cave Pools

I explored several caves throughout my time in Cuba. Nearly every one had some sort of pool in it, some only the size of a small hot tub, others the length of a full size swimming pool.  I took full advantage of each underground pool I came upon.  And true to my traveling motto, I never regretted it.  The pools were often a mix of fresh and salt water coming in through the ocean and always refreshing, if a bit cool.

It is still amazing to me that a whole other world exists below ground.  Huge caves filled with secret passageways that lead to sparkling, clear lagoons and ponds. I felt a bit like a little child each time I entered the caves, like I was discovering something new and unknown for the first time. I would have never have known these caves existed were it not for a well trained guide.

3. Cave Bar-Disco Ayala

I had heard of the cave bar even in my planning for Cubaand lots throughout my trip.  I was excited to get to Trinidad and see what all the hype was about. I was able to go with the Germans I had met in the casa in Trinidadwho had also had it on their list of top sites.

Disco Ayala was like nothing I could have imagined. It was huge and sprawling and entirely underground. Electricity was pumped in to provide lights and music, otherwise it would have been pitch black and a bit scary. As we sat at our table watching the live dancers, we were constantly reminded of the fact that we were in a cave by the dripping of water on us from the roof of cave. 

It was an experience like none other, one I highly recommend.  It is not often one gets to drink a Cuba Libre in a giant underground cave bar.

2. El Nicho Waterfall

Waterfalls are a lot easier to spot than caves, and I search for them wherever I travel. I’ve seen and swam in some pretty amazing ones, but none compare to El Nicho waterfall located between the cities of Trinidadand Cienfuegos in Cuba. 

I went very early in the morning and avoided the crowds and the entrance fee. I hiked just a little ways through the park before I came to the first of the falls. I stood in awe. There were three falls falling into about seven natural pools.  It looked made up. I immediately stripped down to my bikini to plunge into the pools.  It was still a bit chilly that early in the morning, but again, you never regret a swim and this one was no different.  I wanted to take advantage of the solitude the early morning allowed me and enjoy the pools on my own.

After swimming all around, I got out and sat on a bench to do some writing near the falls. I was soon attached by mosquitoes, really the first of my trip, and decided to keep exploring the park. I took several paths that led along rivers and ended at more falls. Each one was a bit bigger and more impressive than the last.  These falls are absolutely a must see and I recommend going as early as you can as big tour groups come in hoards later in the morning.

1. Cenote Diving

I am a SCUBA diver and I’ve dived lots of places around the world, yet I hadn’t heard of cenote diving till a friend told me he’d done it in Mexico. I couldn’t even believe such a   thing existed and instantly knew I had to try it.  This was another reason I choose to visit Cubawhere the country is 70% limestone and full of caves to dive in. 

I was pretty nervous and wasn’t even sure I would do it after my third ocean dive in Cuba. It was a little spur of the moment when I told my Dive Master I would in fact be going with them on the cenote dive, so much so that they didn’t have enough flashlights once I decided I’d go.

I’m not exactly claustrophobic, but I’m not a fan of being in places I can’t easily get out of- a cave dive was exactly this. Add a finite amount of air to breathe should I not be able to get out of said tiny space and it was enough to scare the daylights out of me. And with no flashlight, that was about right.

But I did it. And it was truly amazing.  I am a fan of new experiences and possess a keen awareness of how very few we get in our lifetime. Cave diving brought with it all the excitement and joy the first Christmas you can actually remember might.   It was absolutely out of this world. 

After descending, we had to pass through a very narrow tunnel to get to where the cave opened up. As we swam around, we aimed our flashlights up and down (the Dive Master gave me his) and looked at the various stalagmites and stalactites hanging from the top and bottom of the cave.  There were no fish to see, which was different than every other dive I’d done, but it didn’t matter, I was in a cave diving!

The best part was upon our return where from above a tiny sliver of sun shone through and penetrated all the way to the bottom of the 70 some foot cave.  It was spectacular. Each individual ray shone bright and deep like jewels sparkling. We each hung there for a long time just admiring it. It was truly like nothing I’ve ever seen and is something I will never forget.

When we ascended, I was speechless, underwater I was too of course, but above, when I finally could speak, I had no words.  If I can encourage divers to do anything, it would be to dive a cenote… doesn’t have to be in Cuba, but wherever you can.   

Top Ten Highlights of my Cuban Adventure Part II

5. Havana Club Rum

I know this may not be a highlight for many, but for me, it was a huge part of the reason I wanted to travel to Cuba. I am a huge fan of rum, especially a Cuba Libre, and the fact that Havana Club is forbidden in The United States of America made it all the more enticing. I’ve tried a lot of rums to discover my favorites and Havana Club has remained the all elusive bottle amongst bottles.  It was time a discovered what all the hype was about.

While traveling in Cuba, I had the opportunity to drink a Cuba Libre in the country it is named after, kind of a dream come true; right up there with a Singapore Sling in Singapore or a Long Island Iced Tea in Long Island.  I also was able to drink the luscious liquor morning, noon and night if I chose. It was often more plentiful and available than water, even coming in convenient juice boxes for traveling on the go.  I visited the distillery where it is made and watched sugar cane pressed into juice to make the liquor.  I was also able to get three bottles back to the United States where I can indulge in it whenever I want which is sparingly because of the worry I may never get it again.

If you are in Cuba you would be remiss not to try some of the magical liquor, either in a famous Cuba Libre or an equally delicious true mojito.

4. Cave Pools

I explored several caves throughout my time in Cuba. Nearly every one had some sort of pool in it, some only the size of a small hot tub, others the length of a full size swimming pool.  I took full advantage of each underground pool I came upon.  And true to my traveling motto, I never regretted it.  The pools were often a mix of fresh and salt water coming in through the ocean and always refreshing, if a bit cool.

It is still amazing to me that a whole other world exists below ground.  Huge caves filled with secret passageways that lead to sparkling, clear lagoons and ponds. I felt a bit like a little child each time I entered the caves, like I was discovering something new and unknown for the first time. I would have never have known these caves existed were it not for a well trained guide.

3. Cave Bar- Disco Ayala

I had heard of the cave bar even in my planning for Cuba and lots throughout my trip.  I was excited to get to Trinidad and see what all the hype was about. I was able to go with the Germans I had met in the casa in Trinidad who had also had it on their list of top sites.

Disco Ayala was like nothing I could have imagined. It was huge and sprawling and entirely underground. Electricity was pumped in to provide lights and music, otherwise it would have been pitch black and a bit scary. As we sat at our table watching the live dancers, we were constantly reminded of the fact that we were in a cave by the dripping of water on us from the roof of cave. 

It was an experience like none other, one I highly recommend.  It is not often one gets to drink a Cuba Libre in a giant underground cave bar.

2. El Nicho Waterfall

Waterfalls are a lot easier to spot than caves, and I search for them wherever I travel. I’ve seen and swam in some pretty amazing ones, but none compare to El Nicho waterfall located between the cities of Trinidad and Cienfuegos in Cuba. 

I went very early in the morning and avoided the crowds and the entrance fee. I hiked just a little ways through the park before I came to the first of the falls. I stood in awe. There were three falls falling into about seven natural pools.  It looked made up. I immediately stripped down to my bikini to plunge into the pools.  It was still a bit chilly that early in the morning, but again, you never regret a swim and this one was no different.  I wanted to take advantage of the solitude the early morning allowed me and enjoy the pools on my own.

After swimming all around, I got out and sat on a bench to do some writing near the falls. I was soon attached by mosquitoes, really the first of my trip, and decided to keep exploring the park. I took several paths that led along rivers and ended at more falls. Each one was a bit bigger and more impressive than the last.  These falls are absolutely a must see and I recommend going as early as you can as big tour groups come in hoards later in the morning.

1. Cenote Diving

I am a SCUBA diver and I’ve dived lots of places around the world, yet I hadn’t heard of cenote diving till a friend told me he’d done it in Mexico. I couldn’t even believe such a   thing existed and instantly knew I had to try it.  This was another reason I choose to visit Cuba where the country is 70% limestone and full of caves to dive in. 

I was pretty nervous and wasn’t even sure I would do it after my third ocean dive in Cuba. It was a little spur of the moment when I told my Dive Master I would in fact be going with them on the cenote dive, so much so that they didn’t have enough flashlights once I decided I’d go.

I’m not exactly claustrophobic, but I’m not a fan of being in places I can’t easily get out of- a cave dive was exactly this. Add a finite amount of air to breathe should I not be able to get out of said tiny space and it was enough to scare the daylights out of me. And with no flashlight, that was about right.

But I did it. And it was truly amazing.  I am a fan of new experiences and possess a keen awareness of how very few we get in our lifetime. Cave diving brought with it all the excitement and joy the first Christmas you can actually remember might.   It was absolutely out of this world. 

After descending, we had to pass through a very narrow tunnel to get to where the cave opened up. As we swam around, we aimed our flashlights up and down (the Dive Master gave me his) and looked at the various stalagmites and stalactites hanging from the top and bottom of the cave.  There were no fish to see, which was different than every other dive I’d done, but it didn’t matter, I was in a cave diving!

The best part was upon our return where from above a tiny sliver of sun shone through and penetrated all the way to the bottom of the 70 some foot cave.  It was spectacular. Each individual ray shone bright and deep like jewels sparkling. We each hung there for a long time just admiring it. It was truly like nothing I’ve ever seen and is something I will never forget.

When we ascended, I was speechless, underwater I was too of course, but above, when I finally could speak, I had no words.  If I can encourage divers to do anything, it would be to dive a cenote… doesn’t have to be in Cuba, but wherever you can.   

Top 10 Highlights of my Cuban Adventure Part I

10. Glorious Seafood

The seafood in Cubawas fresh, plentiful and cheap. I think I ate seafood at least once a day, often twice.  Lobster was under $10 US. I also had shrimp, swordfish, barracuda, clams and turtle. I suggest eating it prepared in your casa. I found it to be cheaper and better than a restaurant every time.

9. The all inclusive beach in Playa Girón

There are all inclusive resorts all around Cuba.  Lots of these resorts also offer day rates.  There are also beaches that do not have hotels attached to them which offer all inclusive day deals like the one I enjoyed for two days in Playa Girón. They are a great bargain and a great way to spend a lazy day.  The all inclusive rate includes all you can eat and drink. There is usually a lunch buffet spread of typical Cuban food.  The rate may also include various water sports equipment, like snorkeling gear and floats.  Chairs and shades are also provided. 

8. Ernest Hemingway

As I writer, I was thrilled to follow in the footsteps of such a great American author.  Throughout my trip I read, The Sun Also Rises, as well as a collection of his short stories.  There is something exciting about being in a place a writer was and reading his books there. In Havanathere are several places to visit and be reminded of the great author.  Ambos Mundos is the hotel Hemingway would stay at while he wrote two of his novels. You can pay $2 CUC to tour the room he stayed in, complete with the typewriter he used along with various newspaper articles about his Nobel prize.  La Floridita is the bar he would frequent and also where he made the white daiquiri famous. It is a bit of a tourist trap now, but still worth the visit. The daiquiris are out of this world.

7. Playa Blanca

Overall I was not impressed by the beaches in Cuba. It was quite disappointing. I do not know if it is because all of the good beaches are taken up by all the resorts which I did not visit, or if there just aren’t that many good beaches, perhaps due to the fact that 70% of the country island is limestone.

The one beach that stands out was the one I really had to work hard to get to. Playa Blanca in Baracoawas quite hidden and for this reason I saw no tourists the entire day I spent there. Always a bonus. I had to hike for about an hour along the more public beach which was littered and unappealing. I then crossed a rather questionable bridge and walked through a tiny little town I wasn’t sure I belonged in until I finally reached the very small beach that is Playa Blanca.

I was the only one there besides a small family who was cleaning the fish they’d just caught. I befriended the young girl who kept showing me the various sea creatures she’d found.

Beyond the beach a ways you can hire a guide to take you up into the caves and up to the highest point so that you can look out at the ocean and city below.  They were the first caves I saw, and even these had a small swimming hole within them. Playa Blanca was one of the best full days I spent in Cuba.

6. Casas in general and Dimitri and Hostel Moya in particular

Casas Particulares are where you stay when you’re a traveler in Cuba.  You stay with families who have an extra room or two.  Every room I stayed in had a private bathroom and usually two beds.  The rates were ridiculously cheap and you could often get breakfast and dinner for much cheaper and better than any restaurant. The average I paid, including a meal or two was about $20 CUC. 

The other and more important benefit to staying in casas is that you get to meet and interact with the family. You aren’t just served your meal and then left alone. Often, you eat with the family and get to know them. They might tell you secrets about where to go and what to see and where to avoid.  It was also awesome for practicing my Spanish.  (A possible downside for those who do not speak the language, as very few Cubans speak English or anything other than Spanish) I cannot say enough good things about these places and wish they were all over the world instead of hostels. 

My favorite casa was Hostel Moya (don’t be fooled by the name, it is most certainly NOT a hostel.)  Dimitri is the patriarch of this family casa. He was the most welcoming, kind host I’ve even had the pleasure of getting to know. It was he who got me to stay a few days longer than planned in Playa Girón. He was eager and willing to help with any excursion we might have wanted, including snorkeling, night fishing and various car trips. He drove us to Havanawhen we left.  He is also an excellent cook, cooking us the fresh fish he and his soon caught that day. I also had the privilege of meeting his adorable 1 ½ year old grandson Jonathan, and we became great buddies. 

Top 10 Highlights of my Cuban Adventure Part I

10. Glorious Seafood

The seafood in Cuba was fresh, plentiful and cheap. I think I ate seafood at least once a day, often twice.  Lobster was under $10 US. I also had shrimp, swordfish, barracuda, clams and turtle. I suggest eating it prepared in your casa. I found it to be cheaper and better than a restaurant every time.

9. The all inclusive beach in Playa Girón

There are all inclusive resorts all around Cuba.  Lots of these resorts also offer day rates.  There are also beaches that do not have hotels attached to them which offer all inclusive day deals like the one I enjoyed for two days in Playa Girón. They are a great bargain and a great way to spend a lazy day.  The all inclusive rate includes all you can eat and drink. There is usually a lunch buffet spread of typical Cuban food.  The rate may also include various water sports equipment, like snorkeling gear and floats.  Chairs and shades are also provided. 

8. Ernest Hemingway

As I writer, I was thrilled to follow in the footsteps of such a great American author.  Throughout my trip I read, The Sun Also Rises, as well as a collection of his short stories.  There is something exciting about being in a place a writer was and reading his books there. In Havana there are several places to visit and be reminded of the great author.  Ambos Mundos is the hotel Hemingway would stay at while he wrote two of his novels. You can pay $2 CUC to tour the room he stayed in, complete with the typewriter he used along with various newspaper articles about his Nobel prize.  La Floridita is the bar he would frequent and also where he made the white daiquiri famous. It is a bit of a tourist trap now, but still worth the visit. The daiquiris are out of this world.

7. Playa Blanca

Overall I was not impressed by the beaches in Cuba. It was quite disappointing. I do not know if it is because all of the good beaches are taken up by all the resorts which I did not visit, or if there just aren’t that many good beaches, perhaps due to the fact that 70% of the country island is limestone.

The one beach that stands out was the one I really had to work hard to get to. Playa Blanca in Baracoa was quite hidden and for this reason I saw no tourists the entire day I spent there. Always a bonus. I had to hike for about an hour along the more public beach which was littered and unappealing. I then crossed a rather questionable bridge and walked through a tiny little town I wasn’t sure I belonged in until I finally reached the very small beach that is Playa Blanca.

I was the only one there besides a small family who was cleaning the fish they’d just caught. I befriended the young girl who kept showing me the various sea creatures she’d found.

Beyond the beach a ways you can hire a guide to take you up into the caves and up to the highest point so that you can look out at the ocean and city below.  They were the first caves I saw, and even these had a small swimming hole within them. Playa Blanca was one of the best full days I spent in Cuba.

6. Casas in general and Dimitri and Hostel Moya in particular

Casas Particulares are where you stay when you’re a traveler in Cuba.  You stay with families who have an extra room or two.  Every room I stayed in had a private bathroom and usually two beds.  The rates were ridiculously cheap and you could often get breakfast and dinner for much cheaper and better than any restaurant. The average I paid, including a meal or two was about $20 CUC. 

The other and more important benefit to staying in casas is that you get to meet and interact with the family. You aren’t just served your meal and then left alone. Often, you eat with the family and get to know them. They might tell you secrets about where to go and what to see and where to avoid.  It was also awesome for practicing my Spanish.  (A possible downside for those who do not speak the language, as very few Cubans speak English or anything other than Spanish) I cannot say enough good things about these places and wish they were all over the world instead of hostels. 

My favorite casa was Hostel Moya (don’t be fooled by the name, it is most certainly NOT a hostel.)  Dimitri is the patriarch of this family casa. He was the most welcoming, kind host I’ve even had the pleasure of getting to know. It was he who got me to stay a few days longer than planned in Playa Girón. He was eager and willing to help with any excursion we might have wanted, including snorkeling, night fishing and various car trips. He drove us to Havana when we left.  He is also an excellent cook, cooking us the fresh fish he and his soon caught that day. I also had the privilege of meeting his adorable 1 ½ year old grandson Jonathan, and we became great buddies. 

Cuban Blog Day #25 Coming Home With Rum

After a long 4:30 ambus ride to the airport from my hostel, I found myself in the duty free store of the Cancun International Airport.  I asked a store clerk one last time if it was legal to take Havana Club Rum back, this time trying to find some reassurance that what I was about to do was indeed legal and would actually work. I was told, for the third time now, that it would be no problem to take up to two bottles of Havana Club back to The United States of America. I wanted to believe them so badly.

So, I selected two beautiful bottles of seven-year Havana Club and made my purchase using up all of my Mexican pesos and having to use only $1.47 of American money. I was quite proud of this, especially after returning from Cuba with about $30 US worth of CUC I will probably never be able to use.

The bottles were in a stapled duty free shopping bag that I would carry onto the plane with me. I was glad to have them with me and not in a checked bag somewhere, but I was worried what would happen once I got to the Houstonairport and had to go through customs. 

During my entire time in CubaI was worried about returning to the USand getting found out.  You see, it is technically not illegal to travel to Cuba. Thank god! However, it is illegal to spend money there; a bit of a catch 22.  So, while I took all the necessary precautious and made sure my passport was never stamped, (I had assumed that customs officials knew not to do this upon seeing an America passport, but had I not asked them every time not to stamp it, I would have had quite a few Cuban stamps in my passport,) I knew that returning with a bunch of bottles of Havana Club and 30 some Cuban cigars was surely going to put them on the case.

I took solace in the fact that I bought all but one bottle of rum in Cancun.  Even though the bottles have a sticker that clearly reads “Product of Cuba” on the front, I reasoned that the fact that I’d purchased them in Cancunand not Cubameant I hadn’t technically spent money there.  I also rationalized that all sorts of Americans travel to Mexicoand try to bring back Havana Club not even realizing that it wasn’t Mexican.  Right?

Of course, then I had the cigars to worry about. I couldn’t find any way to rationalize those away. As I sat in the concourse waiting area, I thought about the cigars and the other bottle of rum I’d bought in Cubahiding within my checked bag.  They would surly be the reason I would be carted off to jail upon my arrival in The United States. What had I done?

The flight to the Houston Airport was filled with wild imaginings of security guards waiting for me as soon as I exited the plane. I saw them handcuff me and immediately take my precious bottles of Havana Club.  I envisioned my life in jail, only memories of Cubato keep me company. 

When we finally landed, I took a deep breathe and exited the plane with everyone else.  We all filed through the corridors making our way to customs.  I was a bit in between groups and therefore arrived to where the line would be more or less alone.  I was dumbfounded- first, at the lack of the horrible zigzagging line I’d come to expect. It was my first entry into any country where there wasn’t any sort of line. Next, it was impossible not to notice the absence of custom workers. What was going on?  Instead, I saw row upon row of machines. 

I walked up to one of the machines and followed the directions written on it. I slide my passport, credit card like, through the machine. I looked up into the tiny camera and smiled. That was it. The shopping bag full of my bottles of rum was firmly in my hand as I walked toward the exit where there was just one worker at the desk. I stopped there. He asked if my paper had a star on it. I looked, said no. He said that was all then and waved me on.

I continued on in disbelief. Could it really have been that easy? I walked passed another exit with another man at a desk. This was it, I told myself. He’s going to check my duty free shopping bag, and I’m done.  He checked it and gave me hell about having two bottles and not the one he said was the limit. I hurriedly explained that the duty free shop employee had most certainly assured me that two was the limit. The guy smiled at me, advised me that next time the limit is only one (when did this change?) and told me to carry on.

Oh my god!  I was in The United States of America with two bottles of Cuban rum! I had done it! But, there was one more test. I still had to get my bags and go through security. Upon retrieving my checked bag and checking on the other bottle of rum and cigars packed within, I arranged the bottles inside for them to continue on to Denver. I hurriedly packed them in as best I could and waited through the security line. There was nothing more I could do now.

The flight from Houstonto Denver was calmer. I was already in The US and was not as worried about the fines and the jail time anymore. I was, however, worried that the bottles make break or be confiscated upon their arrival in Denver. 

When I arrived and finally got my bag, I immediately checked inside.  Much to my surprise, there was a piece of paper on top of all my clothes informing me that my bag had been checked by TSA. I quickly searched through my bag to check for all the bottles and cigars.  Everything was just where I’d left it.

 Really TSA? What exactly were you searching for and how exactly didn’t you find it? 

Traveling Tip #26 They’re not looking for rum

Aside from getting the rum back and finding the TSAnotice in my bag, there are a few other adventures in smuggling that help me confirm what I’m about to advise, but take this advice at your own risk. I am fairly certain that TSA is NOT looking for rum, or cigars are any other paraphernalia you might try to bring across a border.  And, if that is what they are looking for, all I can say is, they’re doing a terrible job training their agents. I’m fairly certain they are looking for more important things such as bombs and weapons. You know, the things that actually matter and would help keep us safe if found.  For this I am grateful.  So go ahead… bring me back a bottle of Havana Club next time you’re in Cuba. 

Cuban Blog Day #25 Coming Home With Rum

After a long 4:30 am bus ride to the airport from my hostel, I found myself in the duty free store of the Cancun International Airport.  I asked a store clerk one last time if it was legal to take Havana Club Rum back, this time trying to find some reassurance that what I was about to do was indeed legal and would actually work. I was told, for the third time now, that it would be no problem to take up to two bottles of Havana Club back to The United States of America. I wanted to believe them so badly.

So, I selected two beautiful bottles of seven-year Havana Club and made my purchase using up all of my Mexican pesos and having to use only $1.47 of American money. I was quite proud of this, especially after returning from Cuba with about $30 US worth of CUC I will probably never be able to use.

The bottles were in a stapled duty free shopping bag that I would carry onto the plane with me. I was glad to have them with me and not in a checked bag somewhere, but I was worried what would happen once I got to the Houston airport and had to go through customs. 

During my entire time in Cuba I was worried about returning to the US and getting found out.  You see, it is technically not illegal to travel to Cuba. Thank god! However, it is illegal to spend money there; a bit of a catch 22.  So, while I took all the necessary precautious and made sure my passport was never stamped, (I had assumed that customs officials knew not to do this upon seeing an America passport, but had I not asked them every time not to stamp it, I would have had quite a few Cuban stamps in my passport,) I knew that returning with a bunch of bottles of Havana Club and 30 some Cuban cigars was surely going to put them on the case.

I took solace in the fact that I bought all but one bottle of rum in Cancun.  Even though the bottles have a sticker that clearly reads “Product of Cuba” on the front, I reasoned that the fact that I’d purchased them in Cancun and not Cuba meant I hadn’t technically spent money there.  I also rationalized that all sorts of Americans travel to Mexico and try to bring back Havana Club not even realizing that it wasn’t Mexican.  Right?

Of course, then I had the cigars to worry about. I couldn’t find any way to rationalize those away. As I sat in the concourse waiting area, I thought about the cigars and the other bottle of rum I’d bought in Cuba hiding within my checked bag.  They would surly be the reason I would be carted off to jail upon my arrival in The United States. What had I done?

The flight to the Houston Airport was filled with wild imaginings of security guards waiting for me as soon as I exited the plane. I saw them handcuff me and immediately take my precious bottles of Havana Club.  I envisioned my life in jail, only memories of Cuba to keep me company. 

When we finally landed, I took a deep breathe and exited the plane with everyone else.  We all filed through the corridors making our way to customs.  I was a bit in between groups and therefore arrived to where the line would be more or less alone.  I was dumbfounded- first, at the lack of the horrible zigzagging line I’d come to expect. It was my first entry into any country where there wasn’t any sort of line. Next, it was impossible not to notice the absence of custom workers. What was going on?  Instead, I saw row upon row of machines. 

I walked up to one of the machines and followed the directions written on it. I slide my passport, credit card like, through the machine. I looked up into the tiny camera and smiled. That was it. The shopping bag full of my bottles of rum was firmly in my hand as I walked toward the exit where there was just one worker at the desk. I stopped there. He asked if my paper had a star on it. I looked, said no. He said that was all then and waved me on.

I continued on in disbelief. Could it really have been that easy? I walked passed another exit with another man at a desk. This was it, I told myself. He’s going to check my duty free shopping bag, and I’m done.  He checked it and gave me hell about having two bottles and not the one he said was the limit. I hurriedly explained that the duty free shop employee had most certainly assured me that two was the limit. The guy smiled at me, advised me that next time the limit is only one (when did this change?) and told me to carry on.

Oh my god!  I was in The United States of America with two bottles of Cuban rum! I had done it! But, there was one more test. I still had to get my bags and go through security. Upon retrieving my checked bag and checking on the other bottle of rum and cigars packed within, I arranged the bottles inside for them to continue on to Denver. I hurriedly packed them in as best I could and waited through the security line. There was nothing more I could do now.

The flight from Houston to Denver was calmer. I was already in The US and was not as worried about the fines and the jail time anymore. I was, however, worried that the bottles make break or be confiscated upon their arrival in Denver. 

When I arrived and finally got my bag, I immediately checked inside.  Much to my surprise, there was a piece of paper on top of all my clothes informing me that my bag had been checked by TSA. I quickly searched through my bag to check for all the bottles and cigars.  Everything was just where I’d left it.

 Really TSA? What exactly were you searching for and how exactly didn’t you find it? 

Traveling Tip #26 They’re not looking for rum

Aside from getting the rum back and finding the TSA notice in my bag, there are a few other adventures in smuggling that help me confirm what I’m about to advise, but take this advice at your own risk. I am fairly certain that TSA is NOT looking for rum, or cigars are any other paraphernalia you might try to bring across a border.  And, if that is what they are looking for, all I can say is, they’re doing a terrible job training their agents. I’m fairly certain they are looking for more important things such as bombs and weapons. You know, the things that actually matter and would help keep us safe if found.  For this I am grateful.  So go ahead… bring me back a bottle of Havana Club next time you’re in Cuba. 

Cuban Blog Day #24 Send at Your Own Risk

I had planned a full day in Cancun, Mexico in the hopes of finding a way to send back all the delicious Havana Club rum and Cuban Cigars I’d purchased. I also wanted to be sure I’d actually make the flight since the flights were not connecting.  Because of the embargo on Cuba, The United States has never had the pure joy that is Havana Club on the shelves of any liquor store. My original plan to get my spoils back was to find a UPS or DHL and try to send it all from there.  There were, in fact, DHL’s all over Cuba, but I began to worry that I might spend all the money to buy and send the rum, and it might never actually make it home.

So, I waited till I was in Mexicoagain to try and send it all back. I had gotten one bottle of rum back from Cubato Mexicoeasily, though I hadn’t anticipated this being a problem.  Mexicodoesn’t have a ridiculous embargo with Cuba.

I had the same concern in Mexicoas I did in Cuba. I just didn’t want to risk losing it all if it never showed up at the address it was meant for.  I suppose I’ve had a lot of problems with mail never coming, or being searched, or being stolen, and I was wary of the whole process.

Instead, I decided to wait and try my luck at the duty free store in the Cancun airport the next day. I had asked upon my arrival both times in the Cancun airport whether I could take the rum back to The United States. Each time I was told ‘yes, no problem,’ but again I was wary.  The language was a barrier, and I just couldn’t be sure they really knew why I was worried it would be a problem.  But in desperate times, I began to believe them. Surely they knew about the embargo (though I must tell you, throughout my travels and my recounting of them afterwards, I have been very surprised at how many people had no idea about it.) But surely other Americans, even just coming from Cancun, had tried to purchase a few bottles of Havana Club to bring back. This was my rational anyway.

Once I decided that I wouldn’t be sending it through the mail, I had a whole day in Mexicoahead of me. It was raining in Cancun on and off most of the day. I had wanted to try to get to the beach, but that wasn’t happening. Instead, I spent most of the day on the covered rooftop catching up on my blog and enjoying the internet.  I walked to the plaza for lunch and dinner and people watched.  I went to bed early because I had to be on a 4:30 am bus to the airport for my flight back home. I was already nervous about getting the rum back safely.  

Traveling Tip #27  I can’t be sure because I never tried it from Cubaor Mexico, but I would be wary of mail services abroad in general. While living abroad, I have had packages never arrive, searched and stolen.  I did not want to risk this with my most precious souvenir, rum. It’s a personal choice, but I decided not to risk it, and perhaps take an even riskier route, but with higher returns if it all worked out. Stay tuned for the next blog to find out if it did. 

Cuban Blog Day #24 Send at Your Own Risk

I had planned a full day in Cancun, Mexico in the hopes of finding a way to send back all the delicious Havana Club rum and Cuban Cigars I’d purchased. I also wanted to be sure I’d actually make the flight since the flights were not connecting.  Because of the embargo on Cuba, The United States has never had the pure joy that is Havana Club on the shelves of any liquor store. My original plan to get my spoils back was to find a UPS or DHL and try to send it all from there.  There were, in fact, DHL’s all over Cuba, but I began to worry that I might spend all the money to buy and send the rum, and it might never actually make it home.

So, I waited till I was in Mexico again to try and send it all back. I had gotten one bottle of rum back from Cuba to Mexico easily, though I hadn’t anticipated this being a problem.  Mexico doesn’t have a ridiculous embargo with Cuba.

I had the same concern in Mexico as I did in Cuba. I just didn’t want to risk losing it all if it never showed up at the address it was meant for.  I suppose I’ve had a lot of problems with mail never coming, or being searched, or being stolen, and I was wary of the whole process.

Instead, I decided to wait and try my luck at the duty free store in the Cancun airport the next day. I had asked upon my arrival both times in the Cancun airport whether I could take the rum back to The United States. Each time I was told ‘yes, no problem,’ but again I was wary.  The language was a barrier, and I just couldn’t be sure they really knew why I was worried it would be a problem.  But in desperate times, I began to believe them. Surely they knew about the embargo (though I must tell you, throughout my travels and my recounting of them afterwards, I have been very surprised at how many people had no idea about it.) But surely other Americans, even just coming from Cancun, had tried to purchase a few bottles of Havana Club to bring back. This was my rational anyway.

Once I decided that I wouldn’t be sending it through the mail, I had a whole day in Mexico ahead of me. It was raining in Cancun on and off most of the day. I had wanted to try to get to the beach, but that wasn’t happening. Instead, I spent most of the day on the covered rooftop catching up on my blog and enjoying the internet.  I walked to the plaza for lunch and dinner and people watched.  I went to bed early because I had to be on a 4:30 am bus to the airport for my flight back home. I was already nervous about getting the rum back safely.  

Traveling Tip #27  I can’t be sure because I never tried it from Cuba or Mexico, but I would be wary of mail services abroad in general. While living abroad, I have had packages never arrive, searched and stolen.  I did not want to risk this with my most precious souvenir, rum. It’s a personal choice, but I decided not to risk it, and perhaps take an even riskier route, but with higher returns if it all worked out. Stay tuned for the next blog to find out if it did.