I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to participate in such a stimulating experience of traveling the world aboard the S.S. Universe Explorer during my semester abroad. Through Semester at Sea, I was able to visit almost every continent on this planet, from Asia to Africa to South America, while the very last country I visited allowed me to see a culture and society that only a small number of my fellow U.S. citizens have embraced. .
.
We woke to find ourselves docked in the heart of Old Havana, Cuba, where gorgeous colonial architecture stretches as far as the eye could see and at a first glance, you could almost be transported back 300 years. Between walking around the city, attending a Cuban baseball game, visiting the University of Havana and several fortresses such as Castillo de la Fuerza and Catillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, my first two days in Havana were quite busy. I planned on relaxing on one the beautiful beaches on the white sand overlooking the crystal clear water of the Caribbean during my last day in Cuba, however I gladly replaced it with the experience of a lifetime. .
.
The dean of our program, Lloyd Lewan, befriended Cuban President, Fidel Castro, six years prior. Lloyd Lewan was able to organize several buses to carry approximately 600 Semester at Sea students, 50 professors and an additional 200 or so college students from the University of Havana to the Cuban Parliament to meet Fidel and hear him speak. Although I had to share headphones able to translate his Spanish to my comprehendible English with a fellow student due to the vast turnout of students and professors desperate to even catch a glimpse of this notorious leader, I was able to grasp his every word. .
During his speech, Castro lived up to his reputation of a long-speech-giver. In nearly five hours, he answered only three questions, while bringing in topics such as education, social reform and US-Cuban relations.
Fidel Castro Fidel Castro has been the dictator of Cuba since 1959. ... Castro was born in Biran, near Mayari, Cuba. His given and family name was Fidel Castro Ruz. ... Afterwards, Castro opened a law office in Havana. ... I think that Fidel Castro is a very powerful and respectful leader. ...
Fidel Castro was the president of Cuba from 1976-2008, he was considered a dictator because he was the only who had a say in any matter. Fidel overthrew the last leader Batista and was sworn in as the prime minister until 1976 when he became president of Cuba. ... Castro & 150 other members first attempt to overthrow Batista failed, which led to the capture & 15 year sentence to Castro. ... Castro didn't become prime minister until Cardona resigned. Castro's control over the government and economy was one of a communist. ...
Fidel Castro Ruz was born on January 13, 1926. ... Fidel grew up in the mountainous region of Oriente province. ... When Fidel turned 7 years old, Angel Castro married Fidel's mother so that his son could attend the Colegio La Salle in Santiago de Cuba. ... The United States Government tried various schemes to assassinate Fidel Castro and continues to economically isolate Cuba. ... As the missles were leaving the island, Castro's tongue exploded with every curse word Fidel could think of. ...
Fidel Castro led his country through rebellion and chaos, he is the grandfather of a dictatorship that he created and controlled. Fidel Alefjandro Castro was born in Galicia, Cuba on August 13, 1926. ... They had a son on September 1, 1949 and also named him Fidel Castro. ... "If Fidel Castro's revolution has taught the world anything, it is that determined, dedicated men, provided they truly express the popular will, can have a deep impact on the course of history." ... Saddam Hussein and Fidel Castro have similar personalities and are both very well-liked in their country among their...
Castro As Prime Minister Of Cuba Earlier this year, on January first Fidel Castro and his revolutionary followers marched into Santiago de Cuba. ... On January 8th Fidel marches to Havana with the main body of the revolutionary army. ... On February 13th Jose Miro Cardona resigns as prime minister which leaves Fidel Castro as the new prime minister. With Cuba under new rule the United States has yet another conflict adding to the cause of the cold war.  With Fidel Castro in charge of Cuba, the United States could possible face a closer enemy then before. ...
Fidel Castro Ruz was born on August 13, 1926 on a farm in Mayari, Province of Oriente. ... Two years before he graduated, in 1948 Fidel Castro married Mirta Diaz-Balart. ... THE CUBAN REVOLUTION Fidel Castro was a young lawyer in Cuba when General Fulgencio Batista overthrew the president of Cuba. ... Castro was to spend 15 years in prison. ... Fidel Castro soon suspended all elections and named himself "President for Life." ...
It goes without saying that Cuba has had its share of ups and downs under the Castro regime. ... Fidel Castro is one of only a handful of leaders that still maintains a communist-socialist system. ... There is still a sense of socialism and communism as long as there is Fidel Castro. Personally, I believe that Fidel Castro was a very wise man. ... I think that living under a capitalist system for my whole life, I could never adapt to the communist system of Fidel Castro. ...
"To most Cubans Fidel Castro was a national hero; they rallied around him as he promised to improve their living conditions." ... Fidel Castro's actions were supported by people, trade unions and students. ... Another example would be the 1,500 Cuban exiles who came to Cuba to over throw Fidel Castro. ... Eventually the US became involved in a covert way against Fidel Castro. ... The most known military action came when Fidel Castro made a deal with the Soviet leader to install a nuclear missal in Cuba. ...
It wasn't until he was 15 years old that he left his home and decided to join the rebels, led by Fidel Castro. ... Fidel Castro charmed all of Cuba. ... Fidel Castro never tried to hide his distaste toward homosexuals, he even compared homosexuality is like, "a tree that has grown twisted.... Fidel Castro promised freedom but he never provided it. ... This turned people against each other and silenced many who opposed Fidel Castro. ...
Former Cuban President, Fidel Castro, berated the US Republican Party presidential candidates for their "idiocy and ignorance" after they announced their intentions to bring freedom to Cuba upon election. ... After rebuking the US for thinking Cuba would "fall into her bosom like ripe fruit," Castro wrote, "the fruit did not fall." ... If I'm fortunate enough to become the next president of the United States, it is my expectation that Fidel Castro will finally be taken off this planet. ... If Mubarak was bad, Castro's worse. If Assad is bad, Castro's worse" (O'Reilly)....
