Taking a trip to Cuba is like taking a trip back in time: the cars are vintage, the cigars are the best, and the Cold War tensions are, for the most, over. Lauren Evans ran a piece for gothamist on how to visit Cuba. After reading her article, it’s hard to believe that the country is more than just a Communist-ridden island nation. Ms. Evans covers everything from getting your plane ticket to understanding the Cuban dialect of Spanish. There’s also a warning about drinking the water, which contains a different pH and microbial makeup than what we have in the States.Since America still has an active embargo on Cuba, you need to purchase all your goods with cash as none of your credit/debit cards will work. Also, there’s virtually no Internet (yikes!). Overall, Lauren’s piece reads more like a survival guide for the wilderness than a brochure that extols all the great things about Cuba.Nevertheless, she makes it seem like an adventure into foreign territory that makes it worth stepping out of your comfort zone. Soon you'll be saying What missile crisis? Joseph McCarthy is probably rolling in his grave.Images courtesy of Cuban Board of Tourism