Cuba Libre!
Brandon Davis
There is something about the Cuban people that cannot or is not easily communicable in words. I have never been to a place that felt so welcoming. Cuba is a place that embraces you and accepts you for who you are. When traveling to Cuba I did not know what to expect. I only knew Cuba from movies, my limited knowledge of Che Guevara, my copy of History Will Absolve Me and the reading we did prior to leaving. Once we landed it was like arriving at any other Caribbean island I had been to: blue, clear, sunny skies and nice warm weather.
The difference is all in the people. Cubans love life and cherish friendships. When you meet a Cuban it is like you instantly become connected with them. The first night I was in the city, we went to dinner and then to the Malecon (the sea wall in Havana) and talked and talked until I forgot I was not home anymore. The next day I met a guy who worked a bicycle taxi, and he invited me out that evening. My first excursion into Cuban nightlife I was escorted by my new friend to New Havana where we had a great time. He and I remained in contact the entire time I was there and he even came to see me off the day before I left.
One of the most heart tugging experiences I had there was realizing the conditions under which folks are living. Between the U.S. blockade and the World Bank not recognizing Cuban currency it is very difficult for the island to get the supplies and resources it need. Some of these items that are hard to get are building supplies. Because of this, there is a housing shortage in Cuba. Families of 6 or 7 live in spaces small enough for one of two persons. I visited a home in Old Havana where 7 people lived that was smaller than my one bedroom apartment as an undergraduate. The home was modest but neat and well kept. Cubans appreciate what they do have and maintain it to the best of their ability. Much like they maintain friendships.
One of the most memorable times I had was in Regla. In Regla the homes are a bit larger but the people are no less wonderful. We toured some cultural sites and saw a festival of children which looked a lot like Mardi Gras. Afterwards, we were invited to the home of one of our tour guides and instantly a house party broke out. We ordered pizza from a local restaurant and danced and laughed until the last ferry came. This to me sums up my impression of Cubans: inviting and fun loving people willing to share whatever they have with you, the most important thing being their friendship.
Another thing I loved about being in Cuba was being mistaken for being a Cuban! Even though my Spanish is very bad, it seems as though I looked the part. Folks would just come up to me and start talking to me in Spanish. I tried to reply in my broken Spanish but that quickly gave me away as a foreigner. Cubans seemed as surprised as I was that that I was not Cuban! One Rastafarian brother made me a wooden cross after speaking with me for a night. We sat in the lobby of our hotel and he asked me about my tattoos and my fraternity brands. And I proceeded to make a fool of myself trying to explain my fraternity through broken Spanish, pictures and awkward charades. The cross he made for me is the most special things I have ever received and it tells you more about the Cuban people that I ever could on paper. So, Cuba Libre! Liberty for Cuba! End the blockade and allow the world access to these wonderful people. Because they do not need us, we need them!
Brandon Davis
There is something about the Cuban people that cannot or is not easily communicable in words. I have never been to a place that felt so welcoming. Cuba is a place that embraces you and accepts you for who you are. When traveling to Cuba I did not know what to expect. I only knew Cuba from movies, my limited knowledge of Che Guevara, my copy of History Will Absolve Me and the reading we did prior to leaving. Once we landed it was like arriving at any other Caribbean island I had been to: blue, clear, sunny skies and nice warm weather.
The difference is all in the people. Cubans love life and cherish friendships. When you meet a Cuban it is like you instantly become connected with them. The first night I was in the city, we went to dinner and then to the Malecon (the sea wall in Havana) and talked and talked until I forgot I was not home anymore. The next day I met a guy who worked a bicycle taxi, and he invited me out that evening. My first excursion into Cuban nightlife I was escorted by my new friend to New Havana where we had a great time. He and I remained in contact the entire time I was there and he even came to see me off the day before I left.
One of the most heart tugging experiences I had there was realizing the conditions under which folks are living. Between the U.S. blockade and the World Bank not recognizing Cuban currency it is very difficult for the island to get the supplies and resources it need. Some of these items that are hard to get are building supplies. Because of this, there is a housing shortage in Cuba. Families of 6 or 7 live in spaces small enough for one of two persons. I visited a home in Old Havana where 7 people lived that was smaller than my one bedroom apartment as an undergraduate. The home was modest but neat and well kept. Cubans appreciate what they do have and maintain it to the best of their ability. Much like they maintain friendships.
One of the most memorable times I had was in Regla. In Regla the homes are a bit larger but the people are no less wonderful. We toured some cultural sites and saw a festival of children which looked a lot like Mardi Gras. Afterwards, we were invited to the home of one of our tour guides and instantly a house party broke out. We ordered pizza from a local restaurant and danced and laughed until the last ferry came. This to me sums up my impression of Cubans: inviting and fun loving people willing to share whatever they have with you, the most important thing being their friendship.
Another thing I loved about being in Cuba was being mistaken for being a Cuban! Even though my Spanish is very bad, it seems as though I looked the part. Folks would just come up to me and start talking to me in Spanish. I tried to reply in my broken Spanish but that quickly gave me away as a foreigner. Cubans seemed as surprised as I was that that I was not Cuban! One Rastafarian brother made me a wooden cross after speaking with me for a night. We sat in the lobby of our hotel and he asked me about my tattoos and my fraternity brands. And I proceeded to make a fool of myself trying to explain my fraternity through broken Spanish, pictures and awkward charades. The cross he made for me is the most special things I have ever received and it tells you more about the Cuban people that I ever could on paper. So, Cuba Libre! Liberty for Cuba! End the blockade and allow the world access to these wonderful people. Because they do not need us, we need them!