The more than 50-year freeze in relations between the U.S. and Cuba is finally thawing. Earlier this month, both countries opened embassies in each others’ capitals.
Earlier this year, three groups of KPLU travelers visited Cuba, including KPLU’s Ed Ronco and travel expert Matthew Brumley. Their tour guides on those trips were Frank Alpizar and Alejandro Infantes, who happen to be in Seattle this week on vacation.
They dropped by the KPLU Seattle studios to talk about what the changes in U.S.-Cuba relations might mean for them. Above is the conversation as it aired on KPLU. Below, you'll find an extended version of our chat:
Interview Highlights
On American investment: "It's not just about money," Alpizar said. "Create an atmosphere of development. Many people say 'We don't want a lot of McDonald's, or a lot of Burger King destroying the image of Cuba. But we want two per town, so people have choice."
On the need to see Cuba before it changes: "Cuba has been changing a lot since the early 1990s," Infantes said. "People think Cuba is still in the 1970s or 1980s. We still need a lot of infrastructure. We need more development. We need access to the banking system."
On visiting the U.S.: "For the majority of Cubans, being in America is like a dream, at least to visit," Alpizar said. Infantes adds: "I think a lot of people believe it's the Cuban authorities who say 'No, you can't travel.' It's the other way around. It's the American side, or the European side, or whatever country you apply to."
On entering a Fred Meyer store: "It was amazing to see the amount of food you sell," Alpizar said. "At the same time, I guess some people don't even buy that food? That was a shock, actually. It was shocking. In Cuba we have a lot of food, but not the quality and the beauty -- and not the amount in the supermarkets."
Of course, these are two perspectives in a complicated matter that brings with it a variety of opinions. NPR has been covering the sudden shift in diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, from multiple angles, including on the ground in Cuba. You can see that coverage here.
