This is the first day of my 8 part blog series on my experiences in Cuba. I co-lead a group of students and faculty from my college to Cuba during our spring break. In each blog will discuss my experiences day by day. Cuba is an amazing place and my experiences were so rich that writing this blog is both informative for the reader and a way for me to process all that I saw, heard, tasted, felt, and experienced. Getting to Cuba had some unexpected challenges that including missing my van to the Dulles airport and the connecting plane in Mexico City which trapped my co-leader, Ann, a student, Kyleata, and myself in the airport for 8 hours. The experience in the Mexico City airport was particular interesting because it was the first time that had a negative experience with an airline and made me sympathize with the struggle of people all of the world., who fly daily under the lens of xenophobia, stereotypes, religion intolerance, gender discrimination and geography bias. The privilege of flying while American creates a blindness to the struggle. Kyleata and I finally arrived in Cuba at midnight. (Ann had to stay behind). Getting off the plane a rush of warm greets my face. My eyes open slightly wider as I am surprised the tropical feel of the island. Cuba is a special place and even the expected offers intrigued and excitement. Entering the airport i am greeted by the smell of tobacco. Just for a second, I slightly mile as I briefly fell back in time, recalling my 7 year-old self going to the store getting cigarettes for my mother and dipping snuff for my grandmother. (Hey it was the 1980's lol) Cuba already felt nostalgic after 20 steps on its soil. My initial preconceptions began to melt away. There are negative stereotypes about Cuba told to us in the United States that makes it seem like a oppressive totalitarian system. You half expect to see a warlord sitting on a chair of bones with a harem of servants around (Mad Max style lol). But there were no military guards or any recognizable police. Just 3 guys in tight athletic t-shirts and jeans huddle looking at a cell phone. As I past through the first custom check, I see mostly women working and many had on high heels, button down shirts fishnet stocking. I am surprised and instantly began to wonder why that is. The answer to the question which I will discuss in a later blog is perfect for their revolution spirit. As I am greeted by a sign from the study broad company held our tour guide who was striking with her beautiful curly hair, brown skin and warm spirit comforted Kyleata and I as we approached her and as she embraces us I think, “mi hermana” as felt the solidarity that connects us across the African Diaspora. One of the purpose of the trip was to study race and learn about Afro Cubans. And this was a perfect way to be welcomed. The airport was a cornucopia of different cultures and people and I thought of postmodernism and I saw the impact of American fashion and branding. People from all over the world wearing Levi and Holister jeans, Nikes, Addidas, t shirts with American sports teams. I couldn't help but to think about the impact of the large transnational corporations on culture and how weary I was on the impact on global culture. As I walkout the airport, I see palm trees and night sky fill with the full moon. I expected to see the multiple colors (pink, green, blue, black, purple and red) of 1950s Chevys but I am surprised but the number of modern cars, Hyundai accents, Honda accords, Kia fortes as well as modern buses and vans. Ever since I got off the plane, I thought “wow” this totally different than we are taught in the U.S. I assume it, but experiencing it, left me speechless. It wasn’t Cuba caught in 1959 rather our conception and misconception of it. By the time I left the airport it was 2 am, on taxi ride to the apartment, the city was quiet and mostly vacant except 4 or 5 groups of men. I stare out of the window, not really thinking about anything. I know now that i was caught in that sociologist moment, where you are open, curious and intrigued at the same time. When we arrived at the apartment, I wasn't sure what expect. The apartment was beautiful, better looking than mine in the U.S. lol. It overlooked the Gulf of Mexico. The water looked endless and I thought how much courage it took for people thousands years ago to look and have faith that there's something on the other side. As I go to bed. I wonder how I would be changed.
3 Comments
Meshelle Davis
4/19/2017 11:21:39 am
Very good read, your detailed thoughts made me picture your new surroundings and experience vivid in my minds eye! Thanks for sharing, looking forward to the next blog.
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Kyleata
4/19/2017 12:54:30 pm
Cant wait til part 2 !
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Ronald Riddick
4/19/2017 03:52:29 pm
Very good observations! Can't wait until you get deeper into the trip!
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Myron Strong
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