SHE'S GOING TO CUBA!

I know many people have been already, lucky them!  And like most destinations that I have seen on my timeline from social media of places that many have visited (Dubai, Thailand, etc), I do feel like this is one of those places, I MUST go and see for myself.  I am also hoping that the post following this one, will give insight on my visit, as there have been many rules changed for visiting Cuba, coming from the USA.  However, I have seen many people make it, so fingers crossed!

Going here, has given me more anxiety, than any other place I have visited.  Why?

1. I keep reading and hearing about the amount of available resources that one in the USA takes for granted, such as running water and toilet paper!
2. The currency exchange and how to go about it.
3. The lack of cellular service, for us with phones from the USA, as well as lack of WiFi accessibility.
4. The documents and requirements that need to be met in order to qualify to travel to the country, from the USA.
5. Speaking very little Spanish.
• Just so you know, I was born and raised and still live in the Bronx, NY, and grew up with MANY Latinx people, so my Spanglish was awesome back in the day.  My Godfather is Puerto Rican :-).
• I got even better with my Spanish once I went to high school, in the Latin capital of New York City, Washington Heights.  I took Spanish for 3 years and passed my Regents exam with an 80.  Not bad for someone who never spoke Spanish!
• When I went to college, I was no longer surrounded by my Latin counterparts, so I lost some knowledge of the language hence why, I am definitely nervous about going to Cuba.  I now listen for key words and use context clues lol.

I do not know much about Cuba.  I just really learned a little more about the country, once my president Barack Obama, allowed travel to the country.

1. I was always informed that some of the best doctors were from Cuba.  
2. I have a neighbor whose mom and dad were kicked out of the country, during the waves of exiled Cubans to the USA began, when Fidel came into power.
3. Same neighbor, was the first Black/Afro Cuban I ever met and knew.  There was a time I was only exposed to Black/Afro Puerto Rican's (another neighbor) and learned in high school, of Black/Afro Dominicans.  
• Let me just note, as this is a conversation that has taken place many times:  I and many of us growing up from the 80's in NYC public school, sadly did not learn about slaves being sent to Latin countries.  I did not learn the difference and the existence of Black people in Latin countries, until I reached high school, thanks to the mix of friends I had gained, and the discussions we had.  College, I met my first Black/Afro Central American friend, who informed me of how her people ended up in Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize.  They are Garifuna and she's from Guatemala (see my blog post on my Guatemala trip to her island). 

It is because of this, I am excited for this visit. I am excited to hear from the Cuban people themselves about their lives in their country.  I am more excited to learn more about the Afro Cuban culture within this country, as I also learned, they were not widely accepted.  I'm sure my neighbor knows about her parents country, but I kinda want to tell her what I saw and spill more tea lol. 

I am also excited about just seeing the architecture and the time warp of the country.  When looking for airbnb's to stay in, some of them were decorated with a combo of vintage and modern furniture, which gave this chic feel.  Just all around dope.  Some of them are located on the personal property of families that live in another part of the house (Casa Particulars), and some are located in buildings that look terrible on the outside (from photos we saw online) but inside were modern condo apartments!  It's crazy and I can't wait.

Praying for a safe journey!