Quote Originally Posted by another view
Great thread, and a great story - thanks for sharing!

Interesting to hear a "real" account of what it's like to spend some time in Cuba as a traveller. I'd heard it was not difficult to get there but didn't know it was that easy. I think that the time to see Cuba is now - before politics between the US and Cuba get straightened out to the point that direct travel is allowed. I think that'll happen eventually, and then you'll see the McDonald's, Holiday Inn, Hard Rock Cafe, etc just like so many other places. Right now, it's a very unique place.
You're absolutely right man. Now is a good time to go to experience this kind of Cuba.

But having said that, I don't think the U.S./Cuban bad relations is what is holding back the restaurant franchises and the such. Because most of the world has economic ties with Cuba already. Infact one of their most popular beers "Bucaneero" is brewed as a joing venture with one of our local brewers I think it was "labbatts".

I think what's holding Cuba back from vast globalization, etc. is the Communist regime's philosophies 1st more than the lact of ties with the U.S. So yes things will change upon regime change, whenever that happens.