Traveling to an open Cuba

Q. You’re not of Cuban heritage, so how and why did you get involved in this agency?

A. At Wesleyan University in the mid-1960s, I was active in social justice causes, including supporting the Cuban revolution. In 1969, as a member of the Students for a Democratic Society, I helped organize the first Venceremos Brigade trip to Cuba in defiance of travel restrictions. Later, one of the brigade members who worked for a travel agency got me hired there. Friends started Marazul in 1980 and invited me to join.

What were the goals of Marazul back then?

From the beginning, Francisco Aruca, the founder, focused on reuniting Cubans living in exile in New Jersey and Florida with their families. The goal was to normalize relations between the two communities, if not between the two governments. Those goals remain the same.

What was your assignment?

Many of those exiles became immigrants who wanted to visit Cuba to see their relatives and also to understand their culture and their own past. My job was to develop educational, academic, research and cultural programs for Cubans, as well as for non-Cubans. Essentially my job has not changed. We’ve sent several hundred thousand Americans to Cuba despite the travel restrictions.

How will the opening of travel to Cuba affect your job?

It will mean a whole lot more work; we’ve already seen increased interest and inquiries. But we also anticipate that the new laws will reduce the piles of paperwork and other bureaucratic obstacles.

How about for your own agency?

Though we are ahead of the curve since we’ve worked with the Cuban government for 35 years, we anticipate that a lot of new travel agencies will flood the field. We need to find our own unique niche.

How often do you go to Cuba?

About four times a year, though it will probably increase. I plan to go in a few weeks. Each time I discover a new colorful tile in the mysterious mosaic that is Cuba.