Here's the story of my trip to Cuba in 2000.

The Story (not)

I really crapped out on recording the trip. I was so happy with the page about my Montreal trip, I tried to start writing an hour by hour report about the Cuba trip after I got home. Overwhelmed by details, I stopped after writing about the first of 8 days. That day was Tuesday the 15th.

The Summary

I went, and it cost me a pretty chunk of change to fly. I flew from DC to Cancun, and after a long layover from Cancun to Havana. Heavy baggage costs a lot extra. Mexican baggage handlers don't care about the deep puddle your bag is in. My fencing was mediocre, and I placed 65th by as small a margin as possible under the current FIE rules. The food was horrible, even at expensive restaurants. The people were all very nice, and most things were very cheap compared to U.S. prices. The cabs were cool, mostly old (1950's) American cars. The beach was absolutely beautiful. The rum was excellent, and the Mojito is now my favorite mixed drink. Real Cubans don't know what a "Cuban Sandwich" is, so don't ask for one.

Cuba 2000

I do hope to go back this year. Hopefully the USFA won't get fascist on us and limit entries, especially since that would be contrary to the wording of the FIE's instructions for fencers entering world cups in their "zone".

Things to remember