CUBA STAY SWEET
My recent trip to Cuba wasn’t planned well in advance, by that I mean I hadn’t known for many months that I was going, nor was it on my places to visit list. I had just paid for my twelve year to go off to sleepaway camp, and then I said, “Now plan a trip for you?” I called my sister up and asked if she wanted to go on vacation with me? To which she agreed. After several options, we landed on Cuba. The criteria for our choosing, 1) not too far, 2) inexpensive, and 3) a place that neither of us traveled before. Cuba it was!
Generally, when traveling to other countries I go to enjoy the architecture, the food, and the people. I don’t usually get into the politics or history of the place. However, with knowing the political climate between U.S. and Cuba and realizing that it wasn’t long ago that we were unable to travel direct to Cuba; I decided to do some homework and expand upon my knowledge.
This blog isn’t a history lesson; you can research that on your own. It is however my take on Cuba.
Before traveling to Cuba I also asked several friends about their recent travel there and what to plan for. Most people I talked to enjoyed their experience, and all described it as beautiful. They also informed me of what I’d need i.e. toilet tissue, cash only, snacks, hand sanitizer, and something to leave our host.
When we arrived to the Airbnb we were staying, we were taken back at the outside of the building. My first thought was, “beauty; where?” The inside of our apartment was very nice, the outside not so much. As we walked down Malecon a street along the seafront, it looked particularly perilous. Homes had gaping holes where chunks of bricks and plaster had fallen. There were metal rods exposed for where balconies once stood. I would stop to take a picture in front of a building because they had some of the most beautiful doors (I love beautiful doors). I was startled to find out that beyond those doors was life.
Yes, the homes were occupied. We’d hear an occasional television, conversations, and often inhaled the fumes of home cooking. Some homes opened up on street level so you can see inside. People were not just living there; it seemed their homes were filled with joy. The locals smiled as we passed by, they called us America, welcomed us, and wished us well on our holiday. It was in that moment I began to see its beauty. I was reminded to not judge a book by its cover and that beauty is subjective. I’m not saying that the people of Cuba don’t wish for better living conditions, what I am saying is that they take pride in their homes and there Country, which was evident by the many people that I saw sweeping in front of their homes, watering their plants, and having their doors open perhaps to catch a breeze or to simply show, that this is my home and I’m proud.
Top 3 Cuba Highlights
The People are friendly, welcoming, loving and generous of spirit. I couldn’t help to compare many of my interactions to that of living in the U.S. There were moments that something would occur and I’d think if I were home this would have escalated into an argument or a fight. Like what, you ask? A group of youngsters were crossing in the middle of the streets forcing a car to come to a stop, at home the driver would have honked continuously, yelled a few curse words and you can make up the rest. However, the car stopped, they crossed no argument to be had.
There were late night gatherings along the seashore, Havana Club vodka being consumed, cigars and cigarettes being puffed and music being played. This happened until 4 a.m. and not one, you hear me not one argument to be heard. We felt completely safe.
Santa Maria Beach is gorgeous the water the lightest of blues. We rented our chair and umbrella, had a coconut filled with Rum, ate grapes, and ordered lunch. We thought we’d need to eat on our laps, however they brought over to us a tabled covered with a blue table clothes and chairs. Lunch on the beach, it was divine. So much so that, I asked to borrow someone’s phone to call our host and ask our driver to come to get us at 4:30 p.m. instead of the original 2:30 p.m. pick up.
Fabrica De Arte is a huge art gallery, with performance space, several bars, and theater. It’s hip, trendy and fun. The art exhibited pushes political boundaries. You have the option to listen to a live band or DJ. Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) was spotted hanging out there during our visit, everyone else seem to see up him accept us. The place is absolutely AMAZING, nothing I’d ever seen in my life.
Would I recommend Cuba, yes! If you’re interested in its history, want to be around the most loving and gracious of people, can do without your phone, okay with not having great food, can deal with the sweltering heat, want to see beautiful beaches, are okay with not using your debit card, want to see great art, and if you’ve been seeking to get a tattoo there’s no other place to go but Cuba.