For my birthday, I went on my very first solo trip to Cuba. Havana feels like you've taken a step back in time. I stayed in old Havana, where most of the architecture was French and Spanish-influenced. The intricacy and details of these buildings were stunning. I would love to see what the country looked like back in the early 1900s. The majority of the cars they drive were made before 1960. This was interesting, especially for how good of a condition they were in. These brightly colored vehicles lined the streets and made me feel like I was in a vintage film.
On my first full day on the island, I took a 3-hour trip from Havana to visit the region of Vinales. This area is popular for its beautiful landscape and tobacco farms. The area is located in a valley surrounded by rounded mountains. During this tour, I was able to visit the caves that the Natives once inhabited, ride horses, and of course see the tobacco plantations. It wouldn’t have been completed if I hadn’t smoked an authentic Cuban cigar. (Fun fact: 90% of the cigars produced on these farms are to be given to the government at prices that are already set) You could even visibly see how peaceful country life is compared to the city. This was my favorite day of the trip because of the views. Mountains are a reminder to me of the greatness of God and all that he creates.
Afro-Cubans make up 9% of the population, and honestly, I wasn't expecting to see so many black people there. Callejon de Hamel was a must on my itinerary, an alleyway that displays murals, art, and the history of the Afro-Cubans and their religion. During that time, I learned a bit about the local religion, Santeria, which is a mix of Catholicism and ancient Yoruba spiritual practices. This is widely practiced throughout the country, in fact about 70% of Cubans observe Santeria. During my walks around the city, I'd notice people wearing all white garments which signified their training to priest/ priestess-hood. I haven't been exposed to too many religions, so it was quite interesting to learn about age-old African traditions that are still practiced today.
When passing by the pharmacies, I noticed that all the shelves were empty. Although Cuba has a renowned medical system, there is a severe lack of medicines due to the Embargo that was enacted by the US 30 years ago. The Cuban Democracy Act condemns US businesses from doing business with Cuba as long as it remains a communist nation. So imagine a world where you don't have access to basic medications such as painkillers or antibiotics. This is the reality of millions of Cubans. The same is true for foodstuffs. Before my trip, I heard a lot about the food conditions, so I was prepared for the worst. With raging inflation and the importation of most products, basic things are hard to come by. My question is - why is America still doing this to this poor country? All this because of political differences?
Despite these difficulties, the Cubans are still a resilient and friendly people. Live music fills the streets and they dance until they can't anymore. Sometimes that's the best way to forget one’s problems. I admire the people After this trip, Cuba truly has a piece of my heart.
See more photos from this trip in the film section.
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