[Leica] Cuba?

[Wilbur Norman]

I made reservations (accidently coincident with the U.S. President's announcement) for a Cuban trip in late February 2015. I have to go to do an article and my wife protested that I couldn't go without her. So, we booked a cultural tour ($1900 each for 8 days) leaving from Tampa, Florida. We have extended our stay for an additional week (on a General License) so I can do my article research and she can do her research on glass work. The trip travels under a US Treasury permit so it is all nice and legal for the spending of US dollars.

Tampa-Havana roundtrip is $425 (plus a Cuban visa at $85.) 

The Photo Workshops based here in Santa Fe also do two or three trips per year but they cost MUCH more.

The Tampa departures are only twice a week but are pretty calm. Miami has 4 flights a day but they are a little more expensive and are loaded with Cubans going back and forth so are sorta chaotic. 

Many American go (illegally) via Mexico. The Mexican customs used to not stamp Americans' passports (if you asked) but my understanding is that they are now stamping them upon exit to Cuba. Even tho the Cubans have not been stamping American passports, when you re-entered Mexico they would stamp your passport again as an entry. This means you have two Mexican entry visas and one exit. A sharp customs agent will then want to know where you went and where is that entrance visa. So far there have been no prosecutions for illegal travel but it's a risk.

Instead of an M2 or IIIg I'll probably take my M6 with a 35mm Summicron f/2 and a Fuji X-Pro 1 with a 14, 35 and the 50-140mm.


Wilbur

***********

On Dec 18, 2014, at 1:07 PM, Tina Manley wrote:

> PESO:
> 
> Has anybody been or planning to go?  Suggestions for the best route?  Photo
> tour?  Looks like we still can't go independently.
> 
> Tina
> 
> -- 
> Tina Manley
> www.tinamanley.com
> tina-manley.artistwebsites.com
> http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/3B49552F-90A0-4D0A-A11D-2175C937AA91/Tina+Manley.html
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>