A DIPLOMAT GOES HOME TO CUBA
I was the first one to board the short AA
flight to Havana in Miami. As I would explain to you later, I do not wish to be
the first to disembark at my destination.
After an extremely productive week with the
Lakota, where else to relax and rejuvenate the mind than my beloved San Cristobal
de la Habana?
Called the Agency in Miami and they were
courteous and accommodated me on this flight to HAV.
I arrived at the Terminal D of MIA, fairly
new and was surprised there were no large lines at the CUBA check in counter,
normally teeming with overweight Miami Cubans with their obese luggage! (Bultos).
Was able to greet one and all, including
the Porter, who has worked at the same job for the past 13 years, he had
migrated from Santa Clara many years ago. My ticket was handed over and my
friend checked me in, with a joking tone, Sr Embajador!
Many years ago when direct travel to Cuba
was much more difficult (had to go to the airport 5 hours before and your
papers were checked by Treasury Dept. agents!), impatient Cuban Americans, with
their luggage larger than ever “bultos”,”chorrizos” would object if any one was
given any sort of preferential treatment. I did not particularly like the
prospect of standing in line for hours, and my friend would call me over the
head of the line, over the objections of loud Cuban-Americans. Then he would
announce, he is the Egyptian Ambassador to Cuba! I would courteously bow to the
people in line as befitting of an Ambassador under Hosni Mubarak. So the joke
stuck.
This time he checks me in and writes
Diplomatico on the ticket, so the lady who assigns the seat (from American
Airlines) would know which seat to assign me.. Today it was 4B
That is where I am sitting now.
The reason for the rather quiet lines at
the check in has something to do with Obama whose Treasury Dept. has issued
over 140 licences for group travel by Americans to Cuba! There were two large
groups of Americans, one Jewish and other not, who were going to Cuba, to learn
about the Cuban culture. They all had paid over 2000 dollars for this privilege
of being among the Cubans. Hotel, dinners, ballet etc. and meeting with some
professors or artists.
I am happy that the Yanquis can see the
truth and beauty of Life in Cuba, rather than depending upon the extremely
conservative views expressed in the American Media, especially in Miami. It
used to be rare to see Yanks on this direct flight. Since Obamas ascension, the
rate has increased and in fact on this flight the majority of the travellers
were Americans, rather than Cuban-Americans who can travel freely to Cuba. Cuba
welcomes all people.. All nationalities. More immigration changes are on the
way and before long you would be seeing, well off Cubans from the island taking
this flight to come and visit their relatives or go shopping in Miami, like
many other Latin Americans do.
I have some good friends in the Cuban
Diplomatic Corps and I admire them for the tireless task on behalf of this
Little Island. But I have never claimed to be a diplomat of any country, even
though I am often mistaken for one.
The results are usually good.
Upgrade to Upfront and on long flights it
does make a difference.
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| {60 year old Jeep with a Lada Engine fit for any Ambassador! was waiting for me at the Terminal 2 of Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba} |
