Part I

The Malecon: Pink Classic Car - November ‘18

Last November, I had the chance to visit Havana, Cuba. It was one hell of a trip and getting there wasn’t easy.

Now, I can look back and laugh but during that time, picture me looking out the window of the airport, balling my eyes out at the Southwest Airlines departure gate watching my bags get loaded onto the plane. #hotassmess

And this is how it started… So, a friend of a friend reached out to me one day and was like, “Hey, I know this guy who works for such and such airlines (yes, Southwest Airlines) and can get you tickets for half the price” (I wouldn’t say I’m a skeptical person but I am cautious when it comes to traveling and how I spend money). I go on questioning this person, seeing if it was legit and I went for it. I purchased two tickets to Havana, Cuba from Atlanta, Georgia for about $600 a couple months in advance, good deal, right?

Fast forward to November, my sister and I are getting ready to check-in at the Southwest Airlines desk. It’s a couple of days before Thanksgiving, so, the airport is packed. The agent weighs my bags and ask for my passport. She scans my passport and enters my confirmation number, there is no reservations found under my name (freaks tf out), it was saying that the reservation had be canceled. In my mind I’m like there’s no way this can be happening right now. I stepped to the side and the agent checks-in my sister, her information and confirmation was found and she was good to go.

I frantically call the friend of a friend who I bought the tickets through and of course no answer (then, again it was 6am). How did my ticket not work but my sister’s did When I bought them at the same time. He finally picks up after I called 489,793 times and yes, I will call you 489,793 times. I explained the situation and he apologized and tried to get in touch with his friend who works for Southwest Airlines.

Waiting for a call back, my sister is freaking out (aka cussing me out) about going to Cuba by herself. The over planner that I am, I hand her one of several itineraries I printed with all the information on it such as, address of the place we were staying, contact information, places to go and things to do in case I missed the flight. Did I make that flight? Nope. #hotassmess

The friend of a friend calls me back apologizing for the 100th time. At this point, I was unsure if I was going to be able to go and I refused to spend $600 plus on a flight that I already paid for. So, he was kind enough to let me use his card to purchase another flight for the same day. I go to check-in and everything matched up and I was let through security check-point and to my gate. Waiting for the flight I'm texting my sister relieved and excited about the trip.

The agents begin to call groups for boarding. I’m in the second group, I hand her my ticket and she asked me to step to the side. Did I make that flight? Nope, another hot ass mess. Southwest Airlines wouldn’t let me board the plane because the name on the card (friend of a friend who purchased the ticket) was not the same name on the boarding pass. He calls the airline and his bank to confirm the payment and I was still unable to get on that flight.

At this point I’m livid, crying hysterically at the departure gate. The friend of a friend had to put money in my account in order for me to purchase the ticket. There were no more flights going to Cuba that day, so, I had to book the flight for the next morning. But wait, it gets better. I’m having to stay in Atlanta overnight and I asked the agent did they take my luggage off the plane, I saw my luggage go onto the plane. She promised that my bags WOULD NOT fly without me.

Southwest Airlines has this policy, “Your bags don’t fly without you.” I didn’t make the flight, so, where are my bags? I knew they were on that flight because I watched the men load my luggage onto the plane. Southwest lied, my bags flew without me and to make up for me walking around in the same clothes with hot breath for the next 24-hours, they gave me a $50 voucher. What am I going to get with a $50 voucher? Snacks? #hotassmess

Part II

Yes, I made it to Havana!

After, spending over 24-hours in Atlanta, waiting to catch my flight the next day (in my clothes from the previous day). I finally make it to Havana. Where I would meet up with my sister who arrived the day before! Oh, and guess where my luggage was once I arrived? Stored in the lost and found in the airport in Havana…

When planning the trip to Havana, I booked an Airbnb that was recommended from a friend of a friend (this turned out to be legit). My host Mairina was absolutely amazing, accommodating, kind, and helpful. She arranged to have us picked up from the airport and brought to the Airbnb. This Airbnb offered a private room in the home of Mairina and her father.

As I get out the car, I see my sister grinning, walking from the park on Calle San Jose to the house. She explained how the Airbnb had no Wi-Fi, no one had Wi-Fi. It was controlled by the government and you had to walk to local parks and purchase paper cards with a scratch off code on the back. This card cost a dollar or two and gave you access to up to one hour with limited access to a majority of sites we used in the United States.

Before, we headed out to explore Havana, I changed and went to the bank to exchange money. This was a nightmare. Probably, worst than missing two flights. Being at the bank made me feel like I was in a time capsule. I can’t even begin to explain how long and complicated the process was or what happen. I’ve never seen anything like it. Overall, visiting Havana was a great experience. I wish I could’ve stayed longer and would love to go back.

Here are a few tips if you plan on visiting Havana, Cuba!

Stay in an Airbnb. It’ll enhance the experience and make you feel like a native. Here is the link to the Airbnb I stayed at during my visit: https://abnb.me/T5DLgBGlg0
Be prepared to be without Internet. We did find a bar that had free unlimited Wi-Fi and delicious $2 mojitos.
Write down addresses of places you want to go. There may not be Wi-Fi to use google or GPS.
Exchange all of your money at once to avoid waiting in the line at the bank.
Plan to stay longer than 4-5 days. It is not enough!
Most importantly, don’t buy flights from a friend of a friend.

Things I did and places I visited:

Plaza de San Francisco
Plaza de las Armas
Cuba’s Capitol
Malecón
Callejon de Hamel
Museo de La Revoluciòn
Meuseo de las Bellas Artes
El Floridita - Bar
El Almendrón - Bar with the FREE Wi-Fi
Los Mercaderes
Sloppy Joes

It’s always fun to visit new places and meet new people. We met a few locals that took us to other places that are not listed. Just remember to always be safe!

Havana, Cuba I