Arthur Aidala takes the Brooklyn Bar Association to Cuba
Arthur Aidala wanted to make a big splash when he became president of the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA). So when he found out that a tourism group gave tours specifically for bar associations, he found his way.
From Feb. 29 through March 4, Aidala and 30 other members of the BBA, including four judges, went on a week-long trip to Havana, Cuba, that they will not soon forget.
“The overall trip vastly exceeded any expectations that I had for what this week would be like,” said Aidala. “We saw everything from small jazz bands to philharmonic-type orchestras, to modern dancing to Cuban music, and each and every one held your attention, made you excited and made you feel so fortunate that you were actually here experiencing it and living it.”
Aidala admitted that he expected Cuba to be as poor as some of the surrounding Caribbean countries, but was surprised by how well-off many of the people were and by the richness of Havana’s art and music scene.