Dear Editor,

I wonder how disappointed many from this part of the hemisphere were with US First Lady Michelle Obama’s no-show during the just concluded 5th Summit of the Americas in Trinidad. From reports in the media I understand that she was detained by some important family matters, which we all should respect. However, I am quite certain that the planning was done some time ago and I find it very strange that her presence has been felt in the other parts of the globe but not in this region.

I just couldn’t comprehend the politics of not having Cuba invited to such an important event. Interestingly, there was no major protest. I wonder why that was?

On the brighter side, I was elated that the Obama administration has now allowed Cuban families to send monies to relatives in Cuba and I am also confident that the embargo will eventually be lifted. When that happens, it will be a great achievement for better relations between the two nations.

Resting aside my political observations on a tourism publication that I have in my possession titled The Golden Book by Renato Recio, Eduardo Jimenez and Milena Recio, I believe that Cuba should be on everyone’s list for Caribbean travel. It was very impressive reading; it says  Columbus mentioned that Cuba was the most beautiful land that human eyes had ever seen. I haven’t gone there as yet, but hope to visit some time in the future. A breath-taking focus was on the Ernest Hemingway Museum, among others, and various historical sites. Other interesting sites were Soroa, the rainbow of Cuba which was declared a biosphere reserve by Unesco because of its many natural wonders; Havana, which was declared a heritage site for humanity by Unesco in 1982; Moro de Santiago, which Unesco also declared a heritage site in 1998  because of its historical and architectural importance; and the Parco Baconao, declared a natural biosphere reserve by Unesco. I don’t believe that my visit will be complete without experiencing a Cuban cigar.

Yours faithfully,
T. Pemberton