“Ever Onward to Victory”

Our final two days were back in Habana.

Impressions:

Yes, Cuba is poor in materials and even natural resources.

Tourism seems to be its most stable and successful business.

Outside Habana, the country is a beautiful island with hills, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, biospheres, chickens roaming everywhere and roosters waking you at 4:45 AM.

People outside walking, walking, walking, hitching a ride when they can, rarely a private car in sight.

Food extremely limited in variety but served with pride in generous portions.

Music.

Dance.

Heat. Humidity.

Kindness. Smiles.

Feeling, not like a tourist. No begging. No hassles.

Cubans love their country and see its flaws. They want a better standard of living but don’t want to be “too commercial like America.”

Cubans we met love Americans and think our two governments are “silly and we need to be friends.”

Cubans love Fidel and know he’s “holding on too much to the revolution.”

Cubans love Raoul and “believe will take us forward.”

They are proud of their schools and medicine.

Stay in a Casa Particulares with Cuban families. The hospitality is enriching to the soul.

Eat in a palador, not restaurants for the same reason.

Swim in the sea.

Hike in the hills.

Walk the tobacco farms.

Learn the revolucion, Bay of Pigs, and the embargo from their perspective.

Buy books written from their perspective.

Leave behind as much as you can: lotions, sunscreens, toilet paper, mosquito repellant, clothes, tips… the staff at the casas appreciate it greatly.

Listen as much as you can.

Ask questions.

Learn as much Spanish as you can and speak it.

Leave behind your kindness and compassion.

Take with you a better understanding that people are people.

We really want the same things.