#SHE EXPLORES AFRO-CUBAN RELIGION

Before I booked our Airbnb apartment, I booked this Afro Cuban Culture Tour Airbnb Experience.

1.  I was happy that I was able to find things to do, that directly supported the Cuban people.

2.  I was happy to have booked an experience that surrounded itself around African decent ideals, beliefs, and religious practices, inserting more history about how slaves continued to practice their religion, in a secret form, and what it means today.

3.  I was happy to be supporting a Brown girl and her business, in Cuba.

I found this tour through a travel group that I am part of on Facebook.  You have to be invited and approved by the administrator.  There, a young man posted about his week long trip to Cuba, and what he had scheduled each day, with links.  This happened to be one of them and I hopped on immediately.  I did so because the word "Afro" jumped right out at me.  This was my opportunity to learn more about Afro-Cubans.  

Adriana is ambitious, smart, funny, friendly, knowledgeable, and loves what she does.  She is only 25, but, figured out how she can weekly, work at the University (for the government), and on weekends, continue to be an educator for visitors.  She knows that most people are interested in visiting Havana, however, she wants you to learn about where she is from, a small town outside of Havana, called Guanabacoa.  She wants you to learn more about how her people, Afro Cubans, have survived and thrived in Cuba, with the support of the original religious practices, that is known today as Santeria (Worship of Saints), to some.  The other names that other may be familiar with include "Regla de Ochá", "La Regla de Ifá", "Lucumí".  

Originally, this religious practice was only practiced by African slaves and their descendants from Nigeria's Yoruba tribe.  There came a time where people of European and Spanish decent, began to practice the religion as well.  Africans allowed these people to be part of their "secret society".  You can walk around Cuba currently, and see more Euro and Spanish descendants, practicing this religion.  These people, do not see skin color, as some outsiders may say, since it originated with Africans.  They allowed others "in".  They see a spiritual practice that they believe will help them with their journey in life.

We met with Adriana at a coffee shop that was built out so nicely, and served us delicious coffee, or, what I had was coffee with a type of rum.  I was the dare devil for this tour.  Adriana created it.  Before I knew it, I was sweating, while she was giving us background information about Santeria, what the tour consists of, and, how it is practiced.

With our transportation already waiting for us outside, we rode to her town, Guanabacoa, to begin our tour.  Our 1st was stop at the museum dedicated to visitors who would like to learn more about the religious practice, how it originated, objects that are used, and the most recent Babalowo of the town (who passed recently). 

Listening to all the information, I now learned more about this practice, which definitely knocked the negative stigma that is attached to it, via word of mouth, or concepts passed on from those who as well, did not know much about it.  I loved it.

We proceed to walk the streets of Guanabacoa to our next stop.  People are staring at us and wondering why we are there.  Only a select few know about Adriana's tour, and welcome us to their town.  In passing, we briefly spoke with a woman who has begun her Santeria transition (which is a one year process of renewal). who was happy that we were interested in learning more about this practice in her town.  We continue to walk and end up, at the local outdoor bar :-).





At this bar, we sit, have a beer, and later notice, the design of the bar consists of the Orisha's of the Santeria religion.  Photos had to be taken!

My pants from the motherland :-) - Zanzibar

Orishas

We proceed down the road, passing many local homes and streets that you can clearly tell, assistance is needed.  Some buildings just need a little outside work, whereas others, needs full repair.  Most of the damage looks to be from the hurricanes that have passed over the island within the last year.  Lack of funds has left most of these homes and streets in disrepair.

DOGGIE!!

We arrive at the newest Babalowo of the town, home.

Here, if you wanted to participate, you received a cleans, and was given a history of the practice.  Please note, this guy is either in his late 20's or early 30's (can't quite remember).  He ascended into this role at a young age, which is a huge responsibility for a young person.  He is visited by many people!

After our cleanse, there was a surprise in the backyard.  Home cooked food, stuff you were not going to get in the heart of Havana.  MAN!  I do not remember all of what each item was, but these puffs with a little drizzle of some honey, boy o boy!  So good!

Our toast, was with Santero Rum, no chaser :-).

There was an additional surprise that I do not want to give away, as it is something that you need to see in and experience in person.  To note, there were more locals who joined us, who were a delight to see.  We ended with nice photos, enough rum in our system, and an experience that was unforgettable.

Our ride back to our apartment was outside ready to drop us off.  We had to freshen up and start our search again for food.

If your interested in visiting any other parts of the world, and want to get booked (payment plan options available), along with further information, e-mail me at ChristinaCtravels@gmail.com

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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!