I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Cuba five times in the past year. This was my experience after my very first trip. If you haven’t been yet, let us help you travel to Cuba!
Cuba, 2017: There is so much going on in the country and there is so much confusion over how and IF you can visit. Well, I’m here to tell you to run, not walk, to your nearest travel agent (US!) and get your trip booked.
Although Cuba has received some tourists from Europe and Canada, the numbers are low, especially now. When you’re walking around the streets, you see a few tourists here and there but nothing like everywhere else in the world. It’s hard to explain how much of an effect Cuba had on me. I learned so much about the government, the way of life for the Cuban people, the struggles and the surprisingly good free healthcare and education. I was impressed to learn that Cuba has a HIGHER literacy rate than the USA.
However, despite their hardships or repression, everyone I met was absolutely charming. I’d say that at least half of my experience was made by spending time with so many different Cubans learning about art, music, their culture and history, and just laughing, ALL the time. By the end of the week, I felt like I had a new group of best friends. They’re such welcoming, happy people, with smiles and good attitudes every single day. THIS is something we can all learn from. I find that Americans who tend to have way more than they realize, are always complaining about something or focusing on the wrong thing. The Cuban people reminded me that it’s a great day just to be alive. EVERY DAY!
I could go on and on about the ocean, the mountains, the kilometers of untouched green farmland, beauty at every turn. Go see for yourself and come back being thankful for the fact that you can drink water from your sink, access free wifi just about anywhere in your city, buy milk or red meat whenever you want, and own a private home or business. All things that are not freedoms for the Cuban people but things we don’t even take the time to blink at.
Today I am grateful. Every time I think about my new friends, I’ll remember to smile more, laugh more, and be thankful. Hugs to Alian, Aymee, Yuniel, and Osmany!