Midseason Evaluation of Sammy Watkins Trade

Over 8 games, Sammy Watkins has only caught 19 passes.  To acquire him, in the final year of his contract, and a 6th round draft choice, the Rams gave up a 2nd round draft  choice and cornerback E.J. Gaines. Yet I can say the trade has been an unmitigated success.

Statistics underestimate Watkins value.  By stretching the field, and attracting the attention of each opponent's top corner, he has opened thing up for Woods and Kupp, as well as for Gurley.  As he gets more in sync with Goff more success should follow.

The compensation for him is less than meets the eye.  Gaines, although a steal in the 6th round, would have been a backup for the Rams.  The value of the 2nd round draft choice is diminishing with each win.

Granted, they have only leased Watkins for one year, but even that has its advantages.  The final year of Watkins rookie contract is a bargain.  If the Rams resign him, they will have a deep threat for years to come.  If he leaves and signs a big contract elsewhere, the Rams will get a compensatory pick, perhaps as high as a third rounder.

Why Now?

Republican tax reform, if passed, will score political points and please donors.  What it will not do is benefit the middle class.

Adding a trillion and one half dollars to the deficit is a glass that should only be broken in case of an emergency.  Democrats smashed the glass during the great depression, and more recently, during the great recession.  Republicans are ringing the alarm when the country is on a path towards low unemployment and finally, wage escalation. Even if drastic action is justified an infrastructure bill would be the more obvious path to high paying jobs and long term economic growth.

Ending the estate tax provides no such benefit.     The tax is progressive, only applying to estates over 11 million for married couples, and half of that for singles.  With tax planning and exemptions, the number is actually higher.  The estimate is that it only applies to the upper 1/5 of 1 percent of all families.  Even that is deceptive since the tax is graduated, and is rather nominal under 20 million dollars.  Among the few who would benefit from repeal are the President, and most of his billionaire cabinet.

The accumulation of wealth by entrepreneurs and innovators may well create jobs and opportunities--tax free inheritance by their heirs, not so much.  Will the country really benefit if Eric, and Donald Jr. inherit one billion, rather than 600 million each?  Trust fund babies will not make this country great again.

Republican arguments for repeal are frivolous.  If any of the few remaining large family farms are lost, the fault lies not with the tax, but with their tax planner.  Many strategies, including forms of insurance, protect farms and businesses.  If double taxation was a GOP concern, eliminating deductions for state income tax would not be on the table.

Cutting corporate rates is only a little better.  For a free market party, the GOP has little understanding of corporate allocation of resources.  The Board of Directors establish goals, backed by incentives for senior management.  Salary is usually the smallest part of executive compensation.  The goals seldom include increasing the work force or raising wages.  A CEO is rewarded for increases in earnings and stock price.  The latter is reinforced with stock option awards.  The benefit of reduced corporate taxes will be a gusher for shareholders, and as a result, for executives, but only a drop in the bucket for workers.

Once again the GOP is crying wolf while the sheep prosper.  The stock market and corporate profits are at record highs.

Will lower corporate rates bring some jobs back to America?  That is not a fully answered question.  If Congress is serious, they will have the issue investigated through extensive hearings.  Lobbyists earn their keep.  Company, and industry specific, tax exemptions mean that the nominal tax rate is seldom the rate paid.

Taxes are only one of many factors determining the location of factories and offices.   Before we pay the first installment we should know what we are buying.

What we are selling is social programs.  As the debt increases, Republicans will not raise taxes.  Rather they will push for reductions in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.  

Promise Forward, Claw Back

When you or I give one hundred dollars to a candidate it is a contribution.  When the wealthiest among us donate one hundred thousand, it is an investment.  For them, tax reform will pay off big.

Even in an era of unbridled greed, a tax cut for the wealthiest will not cross the finish line.  Instead Republicans couched the bill as a job creation initiative that will boost employment and wages.  Leave aside that this is a drastic course correction, when we are on a path of low unemployment and finally, wage escalation.

More troubling, past tax cuts have been a gusher for shareholders, but barely a drop in the bucket for workers.  With a business man president, and a business friendly Congress, we should demand business like accountability.  We should treat the job growth and wage increase promises as stretch goals, and the tax deductions as incentive awards for achieving the goals.  So grant the tax deductions but with a claw back provision if the goals are not reached.

If the snake oil does not work, the treasury gets the money back which can be used for real middle class tax cuts.

Profiles in Cowardice

The placebo effect accounts for a broad swath of Trump voters continuing to buy the snake oil.  They want to believe.

As seasoned practitioners, elected Republicans know better.  They know that impulsive behavior, ego, greed, ignorance and disregard for the truth are poisonous.

But, calling out the charlatan would hurt their own sales under the Republican brand. Self sacrifice has given way to self.  Public servants are willfully ignoring and excusing the harm to the public and the republic. Only those, like Senators Corker and Flake, who are not standing for election, are standing up.

Decertification

A dam has a large hole, but fixing it will nearly bankrupt the government.  This seems like a tough decision.  Not so, when you have all the information.  There are 6 other holes that cannot be fixed.  Worse yet, much of the water has already escaped.

This is the decision to be made on certification of Iranian compliance with the nuclear deal.  Decertification would allow America to reimpose sanctions, but the other signatories would not.  Our sanctions would be ineffectual.  Worse yet, Iran has already had its accounts unfrozen adding 150 billion dollars to its coffers.

Decertification, without proof of Iranian violations would bankrupt our foreign policy. Our word would no longer have currency in the system of international relations.  Our allies would ignore our policy goals and look elsewhere for leadership.

Unfortunately, our damn president has a hole in his head which is beyond repair.

The Good Tax

Taxes, in general, are a necessary evil.  An exception is the estate tax, which is beneficial.  The GOP is trying to take some teeth out of the old saw about death and taxes.  Republicans are proposing repeal of the estate tax.  As part of the sales pitch, they have renamed it the death tax.  

Call it what you will, the tax is socially beneficial.  The tax is progressive, only applying to estates over 11 million for married couples, and half of that for singles.  With tax planning and exemptions, the number is actually higher.  The estimate is that it only applies to the upper 1/5 of 1 percent of all families.  Even that is deceptive since the tax is graduated, and is rather nominal under 20 million dollars.  Among the few who would benefit from repeal are the President, and most of his billionaire cabinet.

The tax slows down the concentration of wealth at the top.  Unrestricted concentration of wealth has historically resulted in oligarchies that undermine democratic principles.  The accumulation of wealth by entrepreneurs and innovators may well create jobs and opportunities.  Tax free inheritance by their heirs, not so much.  Will the country really  benefit if Eric, and Donald Jr. inherit one billion, rather than 600 million each?  Trust fund babies will not make this country great again.

The annual loss of 20 billion in revenue will result in either, higher taxes elsewhere, a reduction of government programs, or an increase in the deficit.  All of the alternatives are bad for the middle class. 

Aaron Donald Contract

My Rams start the season on Sunday without their best player, Aaron Donald.  Time for this ex-lawyer to enter the discussion.  Donald is scheduled to make just under 2 million this year and under 7 million next year.  Rams are tight on cap space this year but have room next year.

Propose a 5 year extension at a slightly higher annual salary than any other defender.  Then take some of that money and move it back to this year and next.  Because of cap limitations that might  move one or two million this year and perhaps 13 million next year,  Guarantee 60 to 65 million of the contract dollars.

If the contract extension was for  20 million per year with 15 million moved back to 2017 and 2018 the numbers would look like this:

2017  4 million
2018  20 million
2019  17 million
2020  17 million
2021 17 million
2022 17 million
2023 17 million

Any comments?

Failure of Leadership

Turmoil and tragedy are tough for the nation, but a tonic for Presidential approval.  At times of crisis, Americans look to the President for reassurance and comfort.  A few palliatives and we feel better about ourselves and our leader.  We can emerge with unity of purpose, as after 9/11.

Trump used Charlottesville to chat up his base rather than sweet talk the nation.  With Hurricane Harvey, he seemed as concerned about crowd size as the scope of devastation.

My musings are subjective, polls are objective.  Trump trended down after Charlottesville and has registered no gains during Harvey.  We look to our president for leadership, but Trump is not there.

The False Prophet

Living in a Midas inspired New York Penthouse, with his Slovenian super model wife, Donald Trump was not an obvious candidate for working class hero.   But, wealth is not a barrier to action and empathy.  No president did more for the working class, and rural poor, than the patrician FDR.  Unfortunately, Trump is no Roosevelt.

Faced with an economic crisis Roosevelt sought solutions.  Working with his cabinet and talented advisers he crafted  the ten legislative and executive programs known as the New Deal.  His hard work provided jobs and relief, as well as hope, for a crippled nation.

Trump inherited a robust economy scarred by inequity.  Rather than proposing solutions, Trump stokes resentment.  He speaks to those who believe that whites are facing federal discrimination, and that Christianity is under attack,  He channels and funnels resentment toward the other, be they immigrants, Muslims, or the so called Washington and media elites.

The nation is in turmoil because Trump is stoking a hunger that he cannot, and will not, sate.  His disinterest, and disdain for the legislative process, threatens to expand economic inequality.  More concerned with notching a win than helping his constituents, he backed health care legislation than would have reduced access to affordable medical coverage.  His holy water is ready to bless any tax plan, no matter how slanted to those at the top, that can pass.

FDR worked to calm and help a desperate nation. Trump is fostering fear to help himself.

Chagall Off Canvas

The Chagall exhibit at LACMA, http://www.lacma.org, explores a side of Chagall, that, at least for me, was unexpected.

Of course, characteristic paintings were on display.

But the focus of the exhibit was Chagall's painting and/or design of costumes and settings for Ballet and Opera.

Pardon Me

Loose lips not only sink ships, but also torpedo Presidential pardons.  Trump's carefully leaked praise for Flynn after firing him, was Morse Code for pardon me and I will pardon you.

Fearing friendly fire, Trump has fueled leaks about his broad pardon authority.  But presidential pardon authority stops at the state line.  A president cannot pardon state crimes  Most of Trump and Kushner's business interests run through New Jersey and New York.  New York has a Democratic Governor, and New Jersey, soon will.

New York has a comprehensive, broadly written, money laundering statute.  So, if we can prosecute them there, we can prosecute them fair and square, so it is up to you New York, New York

The Festivals of Montreal

Cities with cold winters exult summer.  Montreal takes that to another level with overlapping festivals.  We just missed the jazz festival which draws up to 2,000,000.  But, we were not short changed.

We saw the German entry in an international fireworks competition.

Scheduled performers on St. Dennis Street made for a lively dinner.

Waiters on stilts, stoled food and drink, sometimes sharing with the crowd.

Futuristic acrobats exuded upbeat energy.

The Ha, Ha Ha festival had a number of free events.

 Since, many performances were in French we opted for the universality of music. Fortunately the 'Festival International Nuits de Afrique was only 3 blocks from where we were staying, with constant performances from mid afternoon until late at night.

The options exceeded our time and energy.  The flurry of events in summer is as dense as the snow in winter.


If you enjoy, and would like to help support this blog, please consider purchasing one of my ebooks.

My most recent book is '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook.'  My other 3 books in the Traveler on a Rope Series are on SouthEast Asia, including 'Bangkok and Chiang Mai on a Rope.'  Just go to Amazon kindle books, Ibooks or GooglePlay and enter Larry Stein.  Thanks.

The Murals of Montreal

Like most industrialized countries,  Canada,  as well as its cities and provinces, spends more per capita on art than the US.  Permanent sculptures and temporary installations fill the city of Montreal.

But what makes Montreal special is finding a mural on, and around every corner.

Mural in abandoned yard.

Detail from Mural.

Old Women Spray Painting Her Mural

 Mural with Roslyn

Detail of Mural

The texture of the bricks give some murals a Lichtenstein look

Parking here, you there are eyes on your car.

A mural in the orthodox Jewish portion of Montreal.

A few more examples of the ubiquitous murals.

If you enjoy, and would like to help support this blog, please consider purchasing one of my ebooks.

My most recent book is '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook.'  My other 3 books in the Traveler on a Rope Series are on SouthEast Asia, including 'Bangkok and Chiang Mai on a Rope.'  Just go to Amazon kindle books, Ibooks or GooglePlay and enter Larry Stein.  Thanks.

Unbecoming

A sense of wonder was a good thing.  Now we stand with mouths open at each new atrocity, and breech of protocol, from the Trump White House.

In between putts, our President is turning the shining city on a hill into a dung heap.  Profanity has its place, but that place is not the office of the Director of Communications for the White House.  As part of the acronym, Trump promised to fight for transgenders.  Now he will not let them fight for us.

Worse than his broken promise and shameful discrimination, is dishonoring and disrespecting members of our armed services.  He did not develop a policy, and a plan of implementation, with the leaders of the military. He did not use reasoned rhetoric to explain a major change in policy.  He pulled away the welcome mat with a tweet.  Even losers on "The  Apprentice" were fired face to face.

This is not normal.  We must retain our ability to be shocked and dismayed.  Trump is not just a bad president.  He is a bad man.

Leading From Behind

President Obama was parsimonious with American troops and military assets.  His efforts at regional buy in and coalition building, were ridiculed by the GOP as, leading from behind.

Someone has hit the mute button.  Republicans have failed to call out the true back bencher that ostensibly heads their party.  A leader in the oval office creates, or plays a dominant role, in crafting legislation.  Our president neither impacts, nor understands, the legislation proposed in his name,  TrumpCare is really, Trump doesn't care.  After rooting for the house bill, he cut the legs out from those who supported it.

Trump is not a coach calling the plays.  He is a cheerleader gone mad.

Without Due Consideration

Democrats and, most Republicans, can agree that Medicaid is more than the answer to the question, how do you give the wealthiest among us a one trillion dollar tax cut?  Medicaid is the thickest webbing in the safety net.  According to statistics on the ‘Rachel Maddow Show,’ Medicaid covers 49% of births, and 30% of children.   Medicaid funds the care that allows so many disabled to stay in their homes, go to work, and lead productive lives. 

Medicaid is a big ticket item.  Review is certainly appropriate.  Dramatic cuts without hearings is not.  Congress must take testimony from stakeholders and experts.  The disabled community, economists, medical professionals, and social workers, to name but a few, should be consulted. 

Republicans will not get boffo reviews for acting in ignorance.

Like Moses

Nancy Pelosi has been a great Speaker of the House and Leader.  She muscled Obamacare through Congress, and has given Democrats power, even in the minority, by holding them in unison against a divided GOP.  She is a prodigious fundraiser.

But even Moses was denied the promised land, passing leadership to a new generation.  Nancy Pelosi has been, through no fault of her own, branded.  Her visage is a turnout machine for Republicans.  Despite her unrelenting progressivism, she is viewed as the old guard by many in the Trump resistance movement.

Her graceful exit, will help her party take center stage in 2018.

A President Without Rhythm

President Obama could move his feet to a Latin beat.  His Cuba policy put the United States in step with Latin America.  Venezuela was a wallflower,  left out of the line dance, shunned by the other 33 member nations of the Organization of American States ("OAS").

President Trump has stepped on his own feet.  His Cuba Policy broke the formation.  Yesterday, the OAS refused to support the United States proposal condemning Venezuela.  Obama's sizzling salsa has been replaced by a blundering box step.

Larry Stein, author of '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook'

The Lesson of the Special Elections

Three of the four special elections were special for the Democrats, even in defeat.  The anti-Trump movement is generating turnout.  In Montana, Kansas, and South Carolina the Democrat exceeded Hillary's total in the district as well as that of the former incumbent.

Georgia's 6th was different.  Unlike the other 3 elections, the Democrats went all in.   Indifferent Republicans clearly dislike the National Democratic Party.  Inadvertently the national party did for Handel, what Trump did for Ossoff.

In the future, in Republican districts, Democrats must be like a thief in the night, taking advantage of favorable conditions without setting off alarms.

Trump in Cubaland

As with Alice, down is up, and up is down.  One pill makes you fatter.  It is the only pill.  Trump trumpets on the dismal human rights record of the Castro Brothers.  But we all know that if his extensive Saudi business interests were mirrored in Havana, he would be embracing any Cuban orb in sight.

The policy objective is to starve the government, and help the people.  The policy does the opposite.  The embargo has actually starved the people leading to thousands of deaths, before Venezuela stepped in to provide aid.  Clearly any policy that gave Venezuela a foot hold 90 miles from our shore was questionable.  The new policy will renew the Russian presence.

Under the Trump proposal, group tours will continue, but independent travel will be blocked.  Tours book government hotels, fly on government owned airlines, and are organized by government owned agencies.  Prices are absurd, one thousand dollars, and up, per couple per day.

Independent travelers spend more of their dollars directly with Cubans.  With hotels overpriced, and pre-booked by tour groups, independent travelers stay in cases particulares, the Cuban equivalent of B&Bs.  Such travelers are also more apt to eat at family owned restaurants.

His billionaire friends like Cuban cigars and rum.  Both industries are completely owned by the government.  Rich friends matter.  Those traveling to Cuba may bring back unrestricted amounts of each, subject only to duty limits.

Only partly visible, Putin has a cheshire cat grin.  Russia plans to open a military base in Cuba.  With dollars going down the rabbit hole, Castro will need rubles.

Larry Stein, author of '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook'

Pastoral Perfection

Vinales has a dual personality. With more rooms for rent than downtown residents, the main street caters to tourists with restaurants, nightspots and travel agents. But Finales is also blessed by nature with the conditions for growing tobacco and coffee, and with stunning vistas.

Vista Al Valley combines the best of both worlds.  It  is a short walk to town, while having the best view in the valley, including a working tobacco farm in your backyard. By the way, Osiris' smooth tasting cigars are a bargain for 2 CUC. Osiris and his wife are excellent hosts. His English is fluent. 

The 3 rooms were built for tourists. The beds are comfortable, and everything works, A great shower, a quiet toilet and plenty of outlets. Couple this with excellent food, strong drinks, and you have my definition of perfection. Reserve early.

Larry Stein, author of '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook'

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g616288-d3827190-r494592621-Villa_Vista_Al_Valle-Vinales_Pinar_del_Rio_Province_Cuba.html#

Told You So

I hope you took my advice issued on May 30 to immediately plan a trip to Cuba.  As ABC News reported:  "The Treasury Department said individuals who bought an airline ticket or rented a room or car before Trump's announcement could make additional travel-related purchases for that travel under the Obama policy, even if their trip to Cuba takes place after the new, stricter Trump regulations go into effect."

The window may be closed, although enforcement may be spotty until regulations are issued.  Agents may have difficulty determining if you booked a room before Trump's pronouncement.

The new rules will be a nightmare.  Trump has two competing visions.  He will continue to allow the licensed tour groups which preceded Obama's liberalization, but with a twist.  They cannot use government owned entities.  That eliminates all tour buses, such as Transtur most hotels, and all air travel.  Even if they can find private transportation that can handle the tour group, all gas stations are government owned.  If all this can be circumvented, the outrageous price tag of roughly one thousand dollars per day for a couple will likely remain

He is banning all individual travel, unless specifically covered under restrictive treasury regulations.  Ironically, individual travelers almost always stayed in rooms in privately owned casa particulares, the Cuban version of B&Bs.  Individuals were also more prone to eat at private, rather than government owned, restaurants.  The cost of individual travel was generally one hundred to three hundred per day for a couple.

Larry Stein

Author of '4 Americans in Cuba:  A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook'

Need a Lead Plaintiff?

As a citizen of the self proclaimed, beacon of freedom, what showing must be made under the constitution to restrict my freedom of travel?  A policy that has failed for 50 years is a questionable rationale.  As an American I was in no more danger in Havana than in Los Angeles or New York.

I am the author of a Cuba guidebook:  '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook.'  I have expended time and resources, including travel costs, to produce this ebook.  I have spent additional resources working on a second edition.  Since I will be economically harmed by Trump's travel restrictions, I should have standing to sue.

If any organizations need a lead plaintiff, I am available and motivated.

Death Panel

Until now, Sara Palin's Obamacare death panels, have been as elusive as George W. Bush's weapons of mass destruction.  Under the stewardship of Mitch McConnell, 17 white men have been empaneled to make life and death decisions for 300 million Americans.

One sixth of the economy is being shaped in secret.  All we know for sure is that richest among us will receive a major tax cut, paid for dollar for dollar by a reduction of medical benefits for those less fortunate.

Trump and his billionaire cabinet are too busy lining their own pockets, to have time to drain the swamp.

Havana Hustle

Waltzing beneath the banner of human rights, Trump intends to limit the right of Americans to trade with, and travel to, Cuba.   His rationale is out of step, after sword dancing in a country with neither elections, nor respect for women's rights, and the source of funding and manpower for 9/11.  He giddily shares state secrets with Russia, the county that tried to sabotage our elections, and which, routinely imprisons or murders Putin's critics.

Perhaps for fear it might drown out his own baritone drone, he has never given voice to the voiceless.    His business was routinely cited for refusing to rent to minorities.  His budget guts federal enforcement of anti-discrimination statutes.   He also wants to deny healthcare to millions, an act too cruel for even the Castro brothers.  Cuba has universal healthcare.

Even if Trump's heart were pure, his policy is unsound.  During my two visits, I observed the growth of a fledgling free market.  Interaction is more likely to produce change, than a policy that failed for half a century.  For the US, jobs will be lost, and trading opportunities will be missed.

The geopolitical ramifications will be severe.  The US will again be at odds with Latin America, unable to advance regional policies, such as condemnation of Venezuela.  To prop up its weak economy, Cuba will again turn to our adversaries for support.  Russia is already talking about opening up military bases.

Even as Trump cuts a deal for Rubio's support, the real beneficiary is Russia.

Larry Stein, Author of, '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook'

Amazon sales page: https://www.amazon.com/Americans-Cuba-Traveler-Rope-Guidebook-ebook/dp/B072L4WG3K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495552372&sr=8-1&keywords=4+americans+in+cuba

Google Play sales page: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Larry_Stein_4_Americans_in_Cuba?id=JR7EDgAAQBAJ

Kobo sales page:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/4-americans-in-cuba

Unusually Good Hotel Restaurant

Eating at a hotel is usually total surrender.  You are too tired to drive to a more interesting, or more fairly priced, restaurant. Enoteca at La Bellasera Hotel is different. The food, service and ambience may be as good as any in Paso Robles. My glazed pork chop, was huge, but too good to leave any behind. My wife loved her clams. But, the berry cobbler stoled the show.

Factoring in the no corkage policy for the 1st bottle of local wine, prices were competitive. Getting to take the elevator back to our room after dinner was priceless.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32861-d1026787-r492302883-Enoteca_Restaurant_Lounge-Paso_Robles_San_Luis_Obispo_County_California.html#

Hot Socks

Our weanling, Hot Socks, is at Old English Rancho, a horse farm on the outskirts of Sanger, California.  We took a road trip starting in Santa Ynez and ending in Sanger.

Here is a picture of our 3 month old colt.

'4 Americans in Cuba' Press Release

Smart Travel Tips Offered in '4 Americans in Cuba' the Fourth Guidebook in the On A Rope Series

Seasoned traveler Larry Stein shares personal experiences and colorful photographs in his guidebook of best practices for Americans traveling in Cuba.

 

 

'4 Americans in Cuba' by Larry Stein

 

Spread the Word

Listed Under

Tags:
* Havana
* La Boca
* Trinidad
Industry:
* Books
Location:
* Glendale - California - US
Subject:
* Products

GLENDALE, Calif. - May 25, 2017 - PRLog -- For Americans, Cuba has been the forbidden fruit—a skin of Detroit sheet metal covering a center of tasty rum, swirling cigar smoke and sandy beaches.

Pointed prose, and over 200 pictures, tempt you to take a bite out of major cites and nibble on hidden beaches.  Unvarnished opinions, with a uniquely American perspective, guide you to ample accommodations, fine food, stirring sights and sizzling salsa.

As in Larry Stein's three other books in the Traveler on a Rope series, '4 Americans in Cuba,' targets value options for readers with cash flows wider and thicker than a shoestring.  Well-traveled author Larry Stein outlines the planning process that he follows, and documents the details of the trip itself—including specifics about lodging, costs, shopping, dining, and transportation. Stein explains how to do all of this affordably while still enjoying comfortable accommodations, good food, and realistic travel options between destinations. Stein's style is conversational, friendly, witty, and honest. His own photographs—over two hundred of them—enhance his engaging story.  As with the other books in the series, 'Southeast Asia on a Rope:  Thailand and Laos,'  'Southeast Asia on a Rope:  Cambodia and Myanmar' and 'Bangkok and Chiang Mai on a Rope,' Stein provides just enough history to place sites and culture in context.

The first part of '4 Americans in Cuba,' provides a thorough overview of how to plan and prepare, including: meeting United States requirement for travel to Cuba, researching flights; vaccinations and traveler's insurance; dealing with insects; acquiring a visa; and what to pack. The rest of Stein's book provides information on where to stay, eat, shop, and sightsee with special emphasis on food and lodging in Cuban homes known as "Casa Particulares."

Stein shares details about his satisfaction (or not) with his accommodations and meals (he provides photos of both), and he is not shy about his proclivity for the abundance of food offered by street vendors. His itineraries include stops at cultural and historical sites, and his photographs—churches, landscapes, children, musicians, food, and drink, illustrate the beauty and history he encounters along the way. "Pictures are worth more than a thousand words—they are key for me in deciding destinations and accommodations," says Stein. "I culled through my many photos to provide a useful resource for my readers."

Unique among travel books, Stein wanted to share the knowledge he has gained in his forty years of trip planning that other sources seem to be lacking.  This is the same formula he used in his recent book, 'Bangkok and Chiang Mai on a Rope.'   "In tailoring my own vacations, I found glitzy magazines aimed at the 'cost is no object' traveler, and a suitcase full of books for backpackers and flash packers," explains Stein. "The 'traveler on a rope' fits neatly between these two extremes. Anyone considering a trip to Cuba will benefit from the tips and insights in this book."

'4 Americans in Cuba,' is published in eBook format by eBookIt.com and is now available at popular online retailers including Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Americans-Cuba-Traveler-Rope-Guide...), Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Larry_Stein_4...) and Apple's iBookstore (https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/4-americans-in-cuba/id1231864375).

Review copies of '4 Americans in Cuba,' are available to media contacts upon request. Author Larry Stein is available for interviews.

CONTACT:
Larry Stein
traveleronarope(at)gmail(dot)com
818-242-8796

About Larry Stein
Larry Stein is captivated by ethnic cuisine, cultural diversity and photography. These passions are sated through traveling with his trusty cameras and ample appetite. A published play and an appearance with an improv group have recently been checked off on his bucket list.   He has published five eBooks, four of which, are travel guidebooks.

He has an undergraduate history degree from U. C. Berkeley, and a law degree from Boalt Hall. He practiced law with a fortune five hundred company for nearly thirty years.

He lives with his wife Roslyn and their dog Pogo.

About eBookIt.com
Since 2010, eBookIt.com (based in Sudbury, Massachusetts) has helped thousands of authors and publishers get their books converted to ebook format, and distributed to all the major ebook retailers, including Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Apple iBookstore, Kobo, Sony Readerstore, Ingram Digital, and Google eBookstore.

Contact
Larry Stein
***@gmail.com

Best Bar in Vedado

The most touted bar in Vedado is the terrace of Hotel Nacional. Ignore the touts, lest you be underwhelmed and overcharged. On the less touristed side of Vedado is Cafe Madrigal. The fresh fruit daiquiri is remarkable. The day we went the fruit was pineapple.

Prices are on the low side. Mojitos are 2.50 CUC. You can have two for the price of one at Nacional, and have enough left over for a generous tip. As a benchmark, 11 year old Santiago de Cuba Rum is 5 CUC. The very fresh fruit daiquiri was 3 CUC.

A small plate menu compliments the drinks. The ambience is bohemian with movie posters, a piano, old radios, and 50's style couches. 

Larry Stein, author of '4 Americans in Cuba: A Traveler on a Rope Guidebook'

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147271-d6787408-r488290546-Madrigal_Bar_Cafe-Havana_Ciudad_de_la_Habana_Province_Cuba.html#

Pineapple dDiquiri

Falaffel Snack

Retro

Cool Front Room

Vintage