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A wonderfully memorable trip to Cuba by Bradenton residents

Tourists ride vintage American convertibles as they pass by the United States embassy in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. President Barack Obama said that he will visit Cuba on March 21-22, making him the first sitting president in more than half a century to visit the island nation. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan)
Tourists ride vintage American convertibles as they pass by the United States embassy in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. President Barack Obama said that he will visit Cuba on March 21-22, making him the first sitting president in more than half a century to visit the island nation. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) Desmond Boylan AP

A dozen of us from Bradenton recently returned from a wonderfully memorable trip to Cuba. Despite the over half century U.S.-instituted embargo, the resilient populous of Cuba are optimistic and warmly, enthusiastically welcome American visitors.

There is much more to Cuba than our classic cars from the 1940s and '50s.

We visited cultural as well as environmental sites, senior citizens centers, musical recitals, works of art, museums, memorials and many historical venues as well as mixing with average Cubans on the streets, parks, beaches, bars and restaurants.

One of the many highlights of our trip is when we visited a Boys and Girls Center, where thanks to contributions of he Bradenton Marauders baseball organization and authorized by General Manager Rachelle Madrigal, we distributed many baseballs, Marauder caps and other gifts. Experiencing the unbridled joy of the young recipients was priceless.

Skip Hannon

Bradenton

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "A wonderfully memorable trip to Cuba by Bradenton residents ."

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