Weather Checker

I must check the weather in Miami and Havana every couple of hours, why?  I doesn't change that much, except get worse...higher chance of rain and or thunderstorms.  Guess I will have to toss in that umbrella, there goes another pound.  I might head out to Walmart and get one of those $4 "wear it and toss it" rain parka's.  Hey,  if I'm going to be a tourist, might as well swim in it...are the black socks with the sandals next?  Then again, it all may be a non-issue if due to my passport problems I have denied entrance  into Cuba. 

packing restrictions

I was looking over the luggage restrictions imposed by the charter company, 44 pounds, total...checked and carry on combined!  This is not some small plane, its a 737, with a capacity for 124 passengers.  I can say that, so far, I have never had overweight luggage, but I do know that my carry-on bags have probably weighed as much as the checked bag (thank goodness for wheeled laptop bags)!  So today, I am examining every thing I want to take, even if it is for just 3.5 days, the camera, the laptop, the all the electronic accessories, well, it all adds up ounce by ounce.   There is a small, as compared to United Airlines,  penalty for luggage over the limit.  One dollar, per pound, in cash.  I will have a fiver ready to hand over.  

Passport problem, part deux

Well, at least Marazul Charters called me the moment they opened to address my travel nightmare.  So, here is the scoop, according to Neslon. My old passport is, in fact, still valid and I should not encounter any problem either in Miami or in Cuba.  Truth is, I am not that concerned about leaving Cuba, I just don't want to be denied not going on this trip at the starting point.  Do I still have the red itching rash, yes, a bit.  Has this happened before, you bet.   Best advice that Nelson has for me, take both passports.  Okay. 

Weekend in Havana

In one week, I hope to be sipping mojitos in Havana.  This has not been without a some "oh no" moments.  Going to Cuba has been something that I have been dreaming of doing for several years.  I have not been against going under the radar.  But, I decided to go legit this time, and will see how it works out.  I am contracted to go with "Insight Cuba", one of the few sanctioned companies for this.  The process would be very easy, but, I have had just a few minor problems, or really, just one, involving a passport issue.  I hope that by tomorrow it will be resolved, for now I have one giant red itching rash of a problem.  The passport number on my Cuban Visa and the charter airline ticket are wrong.   Will keep you updated.