[Leica] Cuba?

[Steve Barbour]

hi Tina, hope you make it,  if you are still there week two of March, we'll see you.


Steve


> On Dec 19, 2014, at 7:01 AM, Tina Manley <tmanley at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks, Wilbur.  That is very helpful.  We are looking at going in February
> so maybe we'll see you there!
> 
> Tina
> 
> On Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 10:32 PM, Wilbur Norman <coupdefoudrellc at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>> 
>> 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
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 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