Introduction

I had always wanted to visit Cuba. The mystique surrounding Castro and Che had piqued my curiosity and imagination. What was there about this tiny country which lay just 80 miles from Florida that prompted our government to treat it as a threat to our way of life? Why had we backed a poorly organized band of mercenaries in an aborted invasion attempt? Why had American celebrities and fun-seekers flocked there in pre-Castro days? Why is Cuba still a mecca for millions of tourists from all over the world? Why does our government make it so difficult for United States' citizens to visit there?

Well, I found a way to go to try to find some answers to those questions and many others. This is the story of my visit and an account of what I found.