Sure, there are frequent blackouts, and public restrooms aren’t stocked with toilet paper, but where else might one see newlyweds swanning the streets in a Ford Edsel convertible with the bride’s train fanned out over the trunk?  Who says Marxists aren’t stylish?

Roughly the size of Pennsylvania, Cuba’s main island is the 16th largest in the world.  Originally named Cubanascan by natives, the island was called Juana by Columbus when he landed in 1492.  The US won control in 1898 after the Spanish-American War, and granted independence in 1902 – sort of.  In 1959, the charismatic Fidel proclaimed La Republica.

Castro is the world’s longest ruling head of state, and legend has it that he eats while standing.  It can be said that Cubans are born revolutionaries, and they certainly make no exceptions in their diets.  In 1996, Havana adopted organic-only laws for all food production, public and private.  The people have taken growing into their own hands, with over 8,000 “urban gardens” in Havana alone.

Cuba’s most famous crop… you guessed it – tobacco.  Cuban cigars are considered among the world’s best.  Little wonder, since the highly coveted job of roller requires nine months of training.  In the factories, the workers are read to – the newspaper in the morning, and in the afternoon, a novel which is voted upon.  Most recently at Fabrica de Tobacos Partagas, the choice was The Da Vinci Code.

On February 6, 1962, US President Kennedy asked his press secretary to order him 1,000 Cuban cigars.  The following day, the president ordered the embargo which is in effect to this day.  Although Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida as the pelican flies, if an American wants to relax on one of Cuba’s 289 sun-drenched beaches and legally puff on a Partagas, she has to go around her elbow to get to her thumb, Canada or Mexico being the metaphorical elbows.

It’s a shame that two countries so mad for baseball don’t get along any better than the US and Cuba.  The game was introduced in the 1860s by Cubans who had studied in the US, and the first games were played with visiting American sailors.  By 1869, Spanish authorities banned the game because Cubans were beginning to prefer it to bull fighting.

At FootageBank HD, we’re offering a rare glimpse of Cuba in revolutionary High Definition, so pour yourself a Mojito and take a trip to the land of the Cha Cha and Che.  To view and download Cuba clips, click here.