Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2014/12/18

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Subject: [Leica] Cuba?
From: coupdefoudrellc at gmail.com (Wilbur Norman)
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:32:00 -0700
References: <CA+yJO1A_JmgO2b-bZ=pQ=jm=oJc_ZrqEZWMM0Xv66+JGJosS0w@mail.gmail.com>

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
> 



Replies: Reply from steve.barbour at gmail.com (Steve Barbour) ([Leica] Cuba?)
Reply from tmanley at gmail.com (Tina Manley) ([Leica] Cuba?)
In reply to: Message from tmanley at gmail.com (Tina Manley) ([Leica] Cuba?)