Ed. Note: The possibility of allowing open travel to Cuba for Americans—which has been severely restricted since the Castro revolution of 1959—is very much in the news of late. The “Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act” currently is in committee in both the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 874) and the U.S. Senate (S 428). While the opening of such travel is still controversial, it is highly probable that, in the near future, Americans will have more opportunities to visit this unique Caribbean country. So, when Rich Myers, a long-time Hideaways member, checked in with us before visiting Cuba in April, we asked him to report back to fellow members with his observations about the country, the people, and the overall situation there. And we’re curious: How do you feel about opening up travel to Cuba to all U.S. citizens? Take our poll and tell us how you feel.

This past April, I was fortunate to have visited what one of my friends calls “pre-Burger King” Cuba. As you may know, U.S. citizens who do not have relatives in Cuba must be part of a religious, humanitarian, educational, or cultural group in order to visit Cuba directly from the U.S. I was part of a religious group of 22 that traveled there.

July 2009