Varadero Airport
March 5th --- Coming in to Cuba:
March 5th --- Coming in to Cuba:
OMG!
Brian got through Customs ok. I got detained due to being an American. They let
me go through, then called me back in to show my travel insurance papers (which
I’d already given to them). Next thing I know, they called someone to come get
me. A woman came in and took me to another area, had me show her all of my
papers and asked me lots of questions. I had to show my list of all the casas we
were going to be staying. She asked a lot of questions about Brian – had to
tell her he was a retired teacher, where, teaching what, and more – no idea
why. Finally got through after 1/2 hour. Brian was waiting on me and MAD at
ME!! I was so upset and shaking like a leaf. I damn sure didn’t need more grief
from him!
He
did tell me the next day that he was also nervous/frantic because I was gone so
long and he couldn’t be with me, not knowing what was happening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April
14th ---Leaving Cuba:
We
checked in, exchanged our Cuban money for Canadian dollars, and paid the $25
(each) departure tax. Customs was easy. However TSA sucked! They took away our
lighters, my nail scissors, and cuticle nippers! I’ve traveled with those for 3
years, with no problems, because they are very short blades. They are all
replaceable but the lighters (for immediate use) -- they have a smoking room in
the airport so what's the point?? We bummed a light off a lady who had her
lighter in her camera case so the scanners didn't see it.
When
we got to the hotel, in Toronto, the desk clerk gave us each a book of matches that
we could use those until we got home.