Obama trip to Cuba includes spring break for his family | McClatchy Washington Bureau

An hour into his visit to Cuba, President Barack Obama and family did what many Americans in the U.S. have yearned to do – played cultural tourist.

Despite a downpour that left old Havana’s cobblestone streets slick, Obama and a familial entourage set out for a tour of the city’s fabled historic district.

And they capped the night at dinner at San Cristobal, one of the best-known “paladares” – the private restaurants that administration officials point to as a sign of a changing Cuban economy.

This week’s trip has plenty of official business on the itinerary. But the spring-break-timed trip is also clearly designed for some Obama family fun.

Accompanying Obama when Air Force One touched down in Cuba Sunday afternoon for the three-day visit: first lady Michelle Obama, their two daughters, Sasha and Malia, and Obama’s mother in law, Marian Robinson.

Under dark umbrellas, the family toured the historic district, stopping first to admire the Plaza de Armas, as cheers of “USA, USA” arose from a nearby crowd. They also admired a portrait of Abraham Lincoln at the nearby Museo de la ciudad, the museum of the city of Havana.

Before the tour, Obama met with embassy staff and their families, telling the audience that the visit was “only a very first step" in a new U.S. relationship with Cuba.

“This is beautiful, we need strong relationships,” said Marete Xorano, who manages a small shop in Old Havana that sells Cuban-made clothing, including the signature guayabera. “For a long time, we have had difficulties. I see this as a very good move.”

Her shop is just steps from the Havana Cathedral where the family ended their tour with a visit to Roman Catholic Cardinal Jaime Ortega, who played a key role in Obama’s decision to restore ties with Cuba.

The first family arrived at the cathedral to large crowds on either side of the square, waiting patiently in the heavy rain. They began cheering as he arrived. Obama paused to shake hands on his way in and waved several times as he made his way into the white stone cathedral.

Strategically placed near the church: a poster that bears pictures of Cuban President Raul Castro and Obama, along with the U.S. and Cuban flags and the words “Bienvenido A Cuba.”

Castro did not meet Obama at the airport, but the two are scheduled to meet Monday.

Before the tour, Obama met with embassy staff and their families, telling the audience that the visit was “only a very first step" in a new U.S. relationship with Cuba.

The tour isn't the only bit of sight seeing planned. On Tuesday, after meeting with Cuban dissidents, Obama is scheduled to attend a baseball game between Florida’s Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team.

Obama’s remarks last month that it would be “fun” to visit Cuba rankled critics who say Obama’s trip is premature and that the administration’s decision to relax some prohibitions against doing business with Cuba will do little to improve the lives of ordinary Cubans while enriching the authoritarian government that runs the country.

“I have nothing against the president having fun, but can’t he just go to Disney World?” Fox News’ Greta Van Sustern said at the time. “That would be a much better message.”

Unlike pure family vacations, this one adds to official business. And White House officials say the tour and the baseball game are ways of illustrating the ties between the U.S. and Cuba.

“If all we were doing was going to a baseball game, that would certainly send the wrong message,” White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told the Miami Herald editorial board last week. “But I think one of the things we want to show is the breadth of the engagements between the U.S. and Cuba.”

Obama took part in a Cuban comedy bit before leaving Washington, filming a skit with a popular Havana-based comedian, “Panfilo,” who routinely tries to call Obama as part of a running gag.

“I’m so glad you will come to visit so that you can know Cuba, its people,” Panfilo says.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Obama replies. “The American people and the Cuban people are friends.”

Maryanne Westphal and Barbara Eidam, both 67 and friends since high school, were finishing up a week in Cuba on a cultural exchange on Saturday and said before Obama arrived that they heartily support Obama’s decision to reestablish ties and the cultural outreach.

“I imagine a lot of Americans have different thoughts about ‘Oh, it’s Obama’s vacation,’ but I think it’s great he wants to open up Cuba,” said Westphal, of Gainesville, FL.

Eidam, of Pinehurst, N.C. said her grandparents vacationed in Cuba before the U.S. cut off ties in the wake of Fidel Castro’s rise to power, and that she’s always wanted to see it.

“I think it’s positive that we’re relaxing the restrictions, we can even take back more rum and that’s a good thing,” she said. “But it’s also right for the Cuban people. It gives them more opportunities and that’s a good thing, too.”