Entrusted with the final blog post of this trip, my task is to provide a recap of everything we experienced in the heart of Cuba. Although it is impossible to summarize eight days’ worth of learning about a nation’s history, breaking language barriers, seeing breathtaking landmarks, and creating friendships in one blog post, here is my attempt to do so. For more detailed descriptions of each day in Cuba, be sure to check out the previous blog posts written by my classmates.

We arrived at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on the evening of Thursday, January 4th. After getting through the stress of going through security and customs, the feeling sank in that we really were in Cuba as soon as we walked outside and felt the humid air. The API staff brought us to our residence for the week where we were served a traditional family style dinner including rice, beans, and plantain chips, my personal favorite.

On Friday we were introduced to the Centro de Investigación Psicologico y Sociologico (Center for Psychological and Sociological Research), also known as CIPS, where we would be having our lectures for the week. Afterwards, we learned about Santería and salsa dancing, which are both important in Cuban culture. That evening, we took a tour of the city riding in different classic cars. My group got to ride in a light blue Buick from 1955 and the views were amazing.

Classic Car from the Tour

Saturday brought us to the house of Ernest Hemingway, but first we had the opportunity to play baseball with a local little league team. What made the day extra special was being able to donate baseball gear to their team on Three Kings Day, a day that traditionally symbolizes the giving of gifts. Later on, we visited a local farm to learn about their sustainable practices. I was particularly impressed with how they used condensation inside empty water bottles dug into the ground to supply water to the crops.

Field of the Little League Team

On Sunday we traveled to Guanabo where we were given a lecture on marine life, coral reefs, and ocean contamination by a marine biologist. The rest of the afternoon was spent on the beach, where I felt the warmest ocean water I’ve ever experienced and played soccer using a coconut as the ball, much to the dismay of my feet. In the evening we went to the Cañonazo Ceremony at El Morro fortress. Every night, a cannon blank is fired to represent the opening and closing of the gates at the fortress during the war. I found it interesting how those who dressed as

the soldiers were able to use the ceremony as their way of serving in the Cuban military, which is an obligation for at least two years as a male citizen.

Group Picture at the Cañonazo Ceremony at El Morro fortress

We started the next day at CIPS for a lecture on Jose Martí, a world famous poet and philosopher from Cuba. Then, we traveled to spend the rest of the day in Old Havana. The city was lively and shop owners were constantly looking to get you to look into their store. It was a bit overwhelming but we spent our time there exploring and checking out some of the restaurants. I quickly noticed that although the city was lively and vibrant, there was also unfortunately a good amount of poverty and many were homeless.

Day 6 was all about learning about the historical relationship between Cuba and the United States. We had a lecture at CIPS and a trip to the Denouncement Memorial Museum in the morning, both of which were very powerful and emotional. Later on we visited the Center of Fidel Castro, where we learned about how he was involved with the rest of the world when he was in power and saw some of the old weapons and uniforms he used in war.

Wednesday was our last full day, and we were determined to make the most of it. It began with a CIPS lecture on race in Cuba before and after the revolution. The lecturer was very well

spoken and the content was moving to us all. One of my friends did a presentation on healthcare in Cuba before we left, which made it fun to visit a polyclinic to see what it was like in real life. They had many innovative ways of caring for their patients including electrical shock therapy, which I tried on my knee. The only way I can describe the feeling is that it wasn’t painful, but also not very comfortable. We spent the rest of the day exploring as much as we could before meeting up for a farewell dinner with API, where the swordfish tasted amazing.

Getting set up for Shock Therapy

Then, the moment we all dreaded was here. The final day was designed to be a free day to be able to check off anything left on our bucket lists. We ate breakfast at our residence and walked down to the ocean one last time where we took everything in before heading to the airport. Although we were all dreading going back to a place that had just received over a foot of snow a few days prior, we were all satisfied with everything we experienced in Cuba.

This trip not only taught me how important it is to live in the moment, but also how important it is to be grateful for the little things in life. Not everyone is able to wake up everyday and connect to the internet, walk to the store and buy basic necessities, or even have hot water for their showers. It is crucial to not take these types of privileges for granted, and I believe we all need to move forward with this perspective.

On behalf of UMass Lowell’s 2024 Cuba students, I want to thank you for reading this blog about our life changing trip and encourage you all to go out and explore all that the world has to offer!

The Land of Setbacks, Surprises & Fun

With having been in Cuba for close to an entire week, my classmates and I felt we had

acclimated to what a typical day in Cuba was like and felt we could handle most situations we

would be faced with. Before we departed on this program, we were informed that one of the

most important things that a person can have as a foreigner in Cuba is flexibility. With the

combination of immersing ourselves in a new country for the first time, having a jam-packed

schedule every day, and wanting to explore the city of Havana during the little free time we had,

there were bound to be bumps in the road along the way. However, as our days in Cuba quickly

flew by, we found that all the mishaps that occurred were just another aspect of everyday life in

Cuba. Having the ability to work around all sorts of unexpected issues that arise is something

native Cubans experience day in and day out and is something we became slowly accustomed to

during our time there.

On Day 7, our final full day in Cuba, we had a short turnaround from getting back to

Casa Vera the previous night and to getting up and ready for the eventful schedule that was

planned for the next day. However, that had been the same as pretty much every day thus far on

this adventure. The lack of sleep and the brief period of grogginess every day was a small price

to pay for the experiences we would have and not be able to undergo again for a long while. If it

were not for the delicious breakfast prepared for us by the residencia staff and the blissful poisonof Cuban coffee being served constantly throughout the day, we never would have been able to

do everything we desired to during this trip.

After breakfast, we hit the ground running with a guest lecture at the beginning of the day

which covered race and revolution in Cuba by Professor Victor Fowler of CIPS (Centro de

Investigaciones Psicológicas y Sociológicas). This lecture was fascinating and unique in the

method the historical ideas were presented and in its content. Fowler’s lecture centered around

how race and revolution went hand in hand throughout all the major events in Cuban history

such as the Cuban War for Independence and the Cuban Revolution. He explained how during

these two major historical events in Cuban history, people of all races and occupations banded

together to fight for what all the Cuban people collectively wanted and were immensely

successful in both cases.

Fowler also covered how race and revolution were involved over extended periods of

Cuban history. One example of this was the political instability that Cuba experienced following

the Cuban War for Independence with the forming of the PIC (Partido Independiente de Color).

The PIC was a party that formed in 1908 and advocated for equal treatment under the law

regardless of race. However, the PIC was frowned upon by the white citizens in Cuba because of

how the party divided Cuba by race. After the party was forcibly terminated in 1912, there wasan uprising of Afro-Cubans against white Cubans in what would be known as the “Cuban Race

War”.

Throughout Cuba’s history, it has been a theme that for every positive thing that

happened, there was a negative to counteract it. One case of this is with the Cuban War for

Independence when Cuba’s Liberation Army was on the verge of gaining independence and the

U.S. stripped control of Cuba. This idea is reflected into modern-day Cuba as well. On one hand,

Cuba was the first country to develop treatments to prevalent diseases such as Polio and Measles,

but on the other hand, there are ongoing protests by the Cuban public addressing issues with the

economy and restrictions on freedom of speech. Even within our trip and this day itself, we

would experience a roller coaster of events, some positive, some negative, all while only being

visitors to Cuba.

During the lecture, there were many surprises such as the way the content was presented.

The lecture was accompanied by a slideshow, one of the most common teaching methods today,

particularly for historical topics, but there were hardly any words on the slides at all! Instead, the

slideshow consisted entirely of political cartoons from the last 150 years. I found this teaching

method interesting, and it kept me engaged with the subject the entire time. Another twist was a

hiccup that occurred with the electricity in the room where it completely went out in the middleof the lecture. This goes along with the need for flexibility in Cuba where mishaps like this are

very commonplace and need to be worked around daily.

Following the lecture and more coffee, we visited a polyclinic where we learned about

the Cuban health care system. The Cuban health care system is fascinating in its widespread

availability to people and by how doctors and nurses are raised up and exposed to copious

amounts of hands-on experience to get a better feel for working in the medical field. I thoroughly

enjoyed the atmosphere inside the polyclinic because of how the workers and patients there made

the best of the limited resources available to them. The equipment for treatment and

rehabilitation gave off a rustic charm that was much like a lot of the sights we saw on the streets

of Cuba. These sights were extremely heartwarming to me because it showed how hard the

people of Cuba have worked to obtain what they have, especially with their troubled history and

facing the trade embargo set by the United States.

Inside the polyclinic, we even witnessed some patients being treated and the techniques

that were used were eye-opening. One patient who received surgery three months ago had a large

amount of swelling in her arm, and it was captivating how the doctors there used a series of

sleeves and gloves to reduce the swelling and help rehabilitate her arm. It is something I never

would have imagined if I had not seen it firsthand! Earlier in the trip, Dylan was lucky (orunlucky) enough to injure his toe but was able to get it checked out during our polyclinic visit

completely for free just like any Cuban citizen. The theme of flexibility in Cuba comes back up

here with how doctors must use whatever is available to them to aid their patients and the

patients must adhere to whatever is recommended by the doctors.

After the polyclinic visit, we went to Salsa Río for lunch whose setting felt like a nature

park with unique plants as far as the eye can see and birds and dogs scattered all around us. To

much less of a surprise at this point, the theme of being flexible was needed here again. This was

not just because we spent over two hours there waiting for food to arrive, but also because it

threw off our schedule for the afternoon. While we waited, we had some thought-provoking

conversations and heated discussion regarding the existence of Cuba in the Cars cinematic

universe. In a smooth and completely related transition, the conversation moved to a debate

about how many toddlers are needed to take down a pit bull, but as we liked to say throughout

this trip, “What happens in Cuba stays in Cuba.”After those debates, the food arrived, and as wacky and outlandish as some of the dishes

sounded, such as pumpkin cream and fried cow, they turned out to be delicious. After the meal, it

truly felt like the day was falling apart with Charlie having an allergic reaction and Navya having

an issue with her eye. Luckily, we had allergy medication on the bus for Charlie, but already

being late for the next activity on our itinerary, we needed to prioritize stopping by the hospital

to treat Navya’s eye. Adapting was the name of the game today, and we ended up cancelling our

next activity, the visit to CENESEX (Cuban National Center for Sex Education) to make sure

Navya was okay, and everything turned out well in the end thankfully.

We ended up spending the remainder of the afternoon back at the San Jose Art Fair which

was one of the activities that spoke to me most during our time in Cuba. As we made our way

down the aisles of shops and paintings, my classmates and I were bombarded by shop owners

promoting their products and enthusiastically drawing us to their stores, trying to sell anything

and everything that they could to us. This was a very pleasant scene to me because it depicted the

effort that Cubans are willing to put in to make a living while also giving back to society.

With what has happened throughout this day, it seemed like fate that something bad

would happen to me at some point. At the art fair, a piece of work I bought and planned to give

to my sister was pickpocketed from right under my shoulder, and I did not notice it was gone

until I had walked through several aisles of shops. Once I looked back, retraced my steps, andsaw no sign of it anywhere, I knew it was gone for good, and was forced to go back and purchase

another artwork with my remaining money.

While it seemed like something went wrong through every hour of the day thus far, there

were plenty of fun moments too including our farewell dinner at the Laurent which was our final

activity in Cuba. Afterwards, we had the rest of the night to ourselves, which we needed to make

the most of since it was our last night in Cuba. As with every meal in Cuba, the food at the

Laurent was amazing and was a great final meal. With our last night, we decided to take in the

nightlife on Calle 23, one of Havana’s most extravagant streets. We spent the night surrounded

by flashing lights and loud music before turning in for our final night in Cuba. While this final

full day in Cuba was riddled with bumps in the road, there was still plenty to be joyful about

throughout this day. Overall, with everything we experienced on this trip, it was symbolic of

what lifestyle is like for any ordinary citizen of Cuba.

The day had started just like any of the prior four days since my study abroad group had arrived in Cuba. By this point we had experienced a scorching hot day on the beach learning about climate change’s effect on the beautiful beaches of Cuba and the exhilarating yet peaceful sounds and moves of Cuban salsa. Now we were getting into the meat and potatoes of the trip, exploring US-Cuban relations and the legacy of Cuba’s most divisive figure in politics, Fidel Castro! Forgive me for not containing my excitement but most Americans can agree that our knowledge of Cuba doesn’t often go further than these two topics initially. Prior to going to Cuba, whenever someone mentioned the island I thought, one, “Oh yeah, I can’t go there right?” without ever really knowing why and two, “Isn’t that where Fidel Castro is from?” My knowledge was so limited that I almost felt guilty about accepting to go on the trip. But here I was, and here we were ready to be enlightened on what really is going on between the “imperialistas” of the United States and the “commies that don’t surf” in Cuba.

            So on this particular day, we were supposed to go to the Centro Fidel Castro first, but the event was rescheduled to later that afternoon. So we went to CIPS, our study abroad sponsor, for our lecture on US-Cuba relations. And immediately upon entering the classroom we were greeted by an English-speaking professor! Now you might be saying to yourself, “Why are you so excited about an English-speaking professor? I’m sure you’ve had a lot of them.” But in this case, the previous professors for our lectures abroad couldn’t speak a lick of English. So all the lectures up until now had to go through our wonderful intermediary/translator Ana Leina. But this professor could speak English which meant we could absorb all the information in all its impassioned glory.

            And so our lecture started, with a seemingly simple question. “When do you think US-Cuba relations began?” Some of us said the Cuban Missile Crisis others said the independence of Cuba from foreign rule and others said the 1959 Revolution of Cuba. Turns out only one of us was correct. An impressively intelligent student in our group mentioned the Monroe Doctrine as the catalyst for our strained relations with the island of Cuba. Now if you’re wondering how in the world he knew that I’m right there with you because I have no idea. But it turns out the Monroe Doctrine was repurposed by JFK to condemn the actions of the Soviet Union in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. So maybe some of us who mentioned the Cuban Missile Crisis were right indirectly but who knows. Either way, within the hour or so we spent in that classroom, I realized that this was probably the most engaging lecture and discussion the group had participated in since we arrived in Cuba. Maybe it was because the language barrier was removed for this particular lecture, but it also could have been the fact that in this hour, with this topic we finally realized how detrimental U.S. policy in Cuba has been to Cubans for over 60 years. And by the end of it, we were left with this underlying pressure from a single statement by the professor, “it’s up to you now.” Initially, I couldn’t understand this statement because honestly, what can I do? But in the post-lecture discussions within the group I realized that by the end of this program we were meant to have a new understanding, through experience, of the struggles of the Cuban people, their willingness to cooperate with our country and relay that knowledge to our fellow Americans. Heavy stuff indeed.

            And with this newfound perspective rummaging around in our psyches, we went for lunch at a local restaurant called El Peregrino. Now by this point, we had developed a pretty good relationship with the API staff and our designated driver Carlos. So we engaged in a conversation over lunch with Carlos about life in Cuba and aspirations of one day going to the US. I jokingly asked him if he would consider marrying my aunt so he could come to the States, not realizing he was married. But then I asked him, “Why do you think Cuba has such a bad rap in the States?” And if you’re wondering about my motivations for asking this type of question, it was mainly because of my concerns of losing Global Entry and the task of having to keep my receipts for five years which I still believe to be pretty ludicrous. But his response really brought it home that the problem is mainly politics, which many Cubans don’t even really concern themselves with. He told me that many Cubans believe in “live and let live”, and living in the shadow of a regime that shapes perceptions abroad about Cubans has been very bad for everyone including Americans even if we don’t see it in our daily lives. To be honest, I couldn’t have expressed myself on the matter better than that. And with that, we moved on to our next adventure, the Denouncement Memorial Museum.

            We arrived at the museum on foot, and I cannot really recall why but I remember we walked because we passed by a foreign consulate as we made our way there from where Carlos dropped us off. Upon entering, we entered a room where we learned a bit more in-depth about US-Cuba relations through CIA declassified documents. Scrolling through the interactive touch screen timelines gave us a codified timeline of the events in Cuba leading up to the revolution and also the events that would unfold post-revolution into the U.S. embargo era. I remember the room with the glass floor that preserved various types of ammunition underneath the glass because the room was artificially scented to smell as if we were on a battlefield. Videos of various Castro speeches were intermittently played throughout the tour as well as footage of the revolution. Initially I thought this tour was going to be an in-depth exposé on Castro but alas that was reserved for the Centre Fidel Castro which was up next on our itinerary. And away we went. 

            Upon arriving at the Centro Fidel Castro, we realized how important the preservation former leader of Cuba’s legacy is to a segment of the population. We had to pass through a metal detector as if we were boarding an international flight. Only a water bottle and our cell phones were allowed inside the building. Once we entered the building, we experienced a side of Castro we had not really seen before, from his youth all the way up until his death. Medals that had been given to Castro were perfectly preserved in fiber glass and even his identity card was plastered on the wall in what looked like a squeaky-clean mansion for a monarch. We were in for many a surprise. Castro’s life, within the museum, was being presented to us as a rags to riches type fairytale. Having come from a poor family, which was debated rigorously within the group, he rose up to lead a nation that would come to see him as a paternal figure and set an example for generations to come in Cuba. By the end of the tour, most of the group left with scrunched up eyebrows because of how pro-Castro this museum really was. Yet it didn’t deter anyone from wanting to visit the gift shop which unfortunately was closed for the day. But alas, tomorrow is a new day with new adventures. And with that, the day was over.

            Overall it was a great day during our trip in Cuba. Partially due to the fact that as an American I should be informed about how our country’s policies affect people coming from a completely different lifestyle and background politically and economically, but also because for a brief moment I actually felt like I was becoming Cuban.           

This day in Cuba started like any other: we were greeted at dawn by the calls of roosters floating through our open windows; a family-style breakfast encouraged lively chat over plates of eggs and glasses of mango juice; and, in defiance to our New-England peers, we dressed in shorts and bathed in sunscreen to bask in the warmth of our tropical paradise. The events of the day, however, called for an introspective and grounded attitude as we explored instances of horrific violence on Cuban soil, the United States’ less-than-favorable relations with Cuba, and an insight into the influence and icon of Fidel Castro.

The first excursion of the day took place in the Denouncement Memorial Museum, an exhibit dedicated to foreign powers’ attempts at destabilizing Cuba’s political establishment. While the museum does hold artifacts of these events, such as the oil barrels which contained the remains of two assassinated Cuban diplomats, its greatest marvel was the artistic ways in which it portrayed the Cuban narrative of this tumultuous period. From a wall filled by crosses representing every Cuban killed by foreign attacks, to glass floors revealing mountains of bullet casings underneath, to a staircase surrounded by barbed wire instead of a guardrail, the appearance of the exhibit was meant to evoke both astonishment at the scale of violence and despair about human nature and conflict. Mournful orchestral music rang through the entire building, evoking an emotional response beyond the bullet points and statistics lining the walls.

Throughout the entire tour, it was evident that the aim was to portray the United States (the CIA in particular) as Cuba’s greatest enemy. With “637 conspiracies to assassinate the command in chief” (Castro is almost always referred to by title rather than by name) written on the walls, and numerous displays of declassified documents ranging from Operation Mongoose to the establishment of the American blockade on Cuba, much more attention was placed on the United States’ actions than those of other Latin American countries.

At one point in the tour, we were brought into a small room with completely blank walls while a video about the explosion of the French ship La Coubre at Havana’s harbor. La Coubre had departed Belgium with munitions meant to help the post-Revolution government and was subject to two explosions while cargo was being unloaded. Without hesitation nor warning, the video displayed graphic images of victims of the explosions, displaying people who experienced burns, disfigurement and even severed limbs. With nothing else to divert our attention inside the room, we were left to directly confront the horror of humanity at its most violent for seven minutes.

After our tour ended, we attended a lecture at the Center of Psychological and Sociological Investigations, our host institution, about American-Cuban relations across history. Starting with the Monroe Doctrine and ending with the present day, the lecturer went in-depth on U.S. legislation that shaped the country’s relations to the island. The last portion of the lecture was dedicated to piecing together the legal obstacles to lifting the blockade and an argument against the legitimacy of the blockade. Some of the points she raised seemed contradictory to each other; for example, she criticized the United States requiring Fidel and Raul Castro to be out of power in order to lift the blockade, claiming it to be “undemocratic,” while also criticizing the requirement of multi-party elections because, according to her, the Cuban people prefer having a one-party system. 

Despite the apparent biases, the lecture itself was well-researched, frequently referencing language from U.S. legislative documents that clearly outline the country’s historically negative sentiment towards Cuba’s government. The lecturer raised some valid and logical points, such as the fact that the United States has no economic reliance on Cuba, which places it at the bottom of the list of America’s Latin American interests. Any action that the American government does take towards Cuba typically occurs during the end of a U.S. president’s second term, which sparks doubt today considering public uncertainty about whether Biden will win a second term. Additionally, the Electoral College has a hand to play in candidates’ campaign promises, as the presence of anti-Castro Cubans in Florida makes the state a strategic battleground when trying to win a presidential election.

During a lively lunch, I was part of a conversation with one of our program guides in which we discussed Cuban popular sentiment towards the post-Revolution era and the blockade. As I worked my way through the hundreds of appetizers laid out on the table before us, she mentioned that the anti-U.S. sentiments held so strongly by the Revolution generation were not passed down as fervently to their children. Some Cuban young adults of today find no hope for growth or development in the island in the future, looking for a way out, but others are happy with their lives and their identities there. She claimed that the younger generations are keener to improve relations with the United States. I think that perspective is not too unlike our perception of Cuban authority here in the United States. As the political influence of the older generation starts dying off, I wonder if new leaders in the coming decades can turn a new leaf and create a change in thinking in how the two countries think of their connection to each other.

After this insightful lunch discussion, our group made its way over to the Fidel Castro Ruz Center, a complex designed to preserve and display historical elements of Fidel Castro’s life and legacy. In the opening of the tour, our museum guide raised an interesting fact: it is Cuban law that no street, building, statue, or bust ever be constructed in the name of Fidel Castro- except for this building complex. He explained that this was because the Commander in Chief (again, almost never mentioning Castro by name) did not want to feed into the “cult of personality” that marked the other communist revolutionary movements that took place throughout the 20^th century. Ironically, the remainder of this tour would be a series of statements and displays that fed into the mystical and complex nature of the man who was Fidel Castro.

The tour began with a display of Castro’s many awards and honors, which he humbly never wore on his iconic green uniform. There were also a number of gifts that were donated from other countries, such as a statue of Don Quixote, a character to whom Castro compared himself frequently, and a bust of himself from Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The first room was made to portray Castro as a widely revered political figure on the global state.

The immersion into Castro’s mystique began when a section of the museum drew parallels between Castro and Jose Martí, the 19^th-century Cuban writer and soldier who solidified Cuban nationalism as the island fought for independence from Spain. There were glass panels adorned with quotes from both Castro and Martí, as well as a screen with a video morphing between images of the two figures. Our museum guide stated the implicit: Castro was the ultimate disciple of Martí, the culmination of Martí’s teachings brought to action and to its largest extent of success. While Martí is already held to a remarkably high level of regard internationally (there is even a statue of him in Central Park!), it was clear the intent was to paint Castro at an equal, if not higher, level than Martí.

As we continued through an exhibit detailing Castro’s life, it became nearly distracting how much the tour guide continued to refer to Castro as either the “historic leader of the Revolution” or the “Commander.” Never would the name “Fidel Castro” leave his lips throughout the course of the tour. The descriptive text of various displays in the museum also followed this same trope. In some sense, it felt almost as if Castro were being deified, his name too powerful to be uttered by the lips of commoners.

In one of the final parts of this museum tour, we were brought into a claustrophobic room as images and sound played throughout. Various adjectives to describe Castro, words such as “leader,” “teacher,” and “father,” were projected alongside clips of various world leaders describing Castro as such. In similar fashion to the Denouncement Memorial Museum, there was loud, stoic orchestral music playing that implored you to feel emotionally moved by the statements of these people. The guide concluded with a sentence that was tone-appropriate, but with a clearly nationalistic motivation: “There is a bit of Castro inside each of us.”

This day in Cuba was a notably more serious one in relation to the other excursions we took part in during our time on the island. While a large majority of the trip was dedicated to exploring the beauty of the island, its people, its art, and its culture, this was a necessary part of the trip that reminded us of reality. Although we were exposed to some of the atrocities committed even by our own government, it was a valuable experience to see the perspective of the nation on the other side of a battle that isn’t just economic, but also moral and philosophical. As we see the global order shift in the coming decades, it will be interesting to see how the U.S. and Cuba continue to operate as a new generation of leaders arises.

January 8th, 2024, marked our fifth day in Havana, Cuba. My roommates and friends, Rory and Steph, and I woke up bright and early for our adventures. Not only would we be exploring Old Havana today, but it was also Rory’s 20th Birthday. We were a bit tired from our seaside exploration the day before, some of us a little sunburnt, but overall excited for our day full of exploration and celebration.

After getting ready for the day, Rory, Steph, and I made our way to breakfast at our residencia, Casa Vera. Everyday, Casa Vera served us breakfast, which included toast, eggs, fruit, pastries, and delicious coffee. That morning, I ate eggs and toast, and drank a lot of coffee — caffeine was very much needed for our long day ahead!

After breakfast, our group made our way to the Center for Psychological and Sociological Research (Centro de Investigaciones Psicológicas y Sociológicas), or CIPS, for our morning lecture. Throughout our trip, CIPS hosted us many times for lectures related to Cuban history. Today, our lecture was on José Martí, the father of Cuban Independence and one of the most important figures in Cuban history. Our guest lecturer, David Levya, included many photographs of José Martí statues around the world in his presentation, showing his importance in Cuban and world history.

José Martí was a Cuban author, and founded his first newspaper, La Patria Libre, at sixteen. He was arrested for one of his poems that was published in this newspaper, and after his release, moved to Spain to continue his education. He eventually returned to Cuba, but was soon arrested again, accused of conspiracy, and exiled from Cuba. A few years later, Martí returned to Cuba to fight in the Cuban War of Independence, but died in battle. Before traveling to Cuba, we learned about José Martí through student presentations. The lecture at CIPS furthered our knowledge on the importance of José Martí to Cuban history that we learned in our pre-departure meetings.

After our lecture concluded, CIPS served us coffee before we headed to the bus to continue our travels for the day. Our bus driver, Carlos, brought us to Old Havana, where we would have a walking tour of the city. Our translator, Ana Elena, was our tour guide through Old Havana. The tour of Old Havana focused on the four main squares, or plazas. We started our exploration in Plaza de Armas, the oldest plaza in Old Havana. This is where the city of Havana was born. In the center of the plaza stood a statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the Father of the Country and First President of the Republic.

Image 1: Statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes

As we continued on our journey to the next plaza, we made our way by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, which included a street made of wooden “bricks.” It is believed that these wooden bricks were installed to reduce the noise of horse hooves and carriage wheels on the streets. Although the noise was reduced, the wooden bricks often broke and were too expensive to keep replacing to continue this practice throughout the city. While we were touring this area, we could see construction occurring to replace sections of the street with damaged wooden bricks.

We continued on our journey to the Plaza de la Catedral. Plaza de la Catedral was home to the Havana Cathedral, which was extremely beautiful to see! After an artist in the plaza drew a picture of David, a student who was part of our group, we continued on to Plaza Vieja, or the Old

Square. In the center of Plaza Vieja was an extremely important fountain. Ana Elena shared that the original fountain was previously demolished to build an underground parking lot, but has since been restored. She continued on explaining the fountain had been surrounded by a fence because children used to jump into the fountain after school. The fence was taken down after complaints from the residents. Plaza Vieja was also unique because it did not contain any government buildings or churches / religious spaces.

After touring Plaza Vieja, we made our way to Plaza de San Francisco de Asís. Plaza de San Francisco de Asís was located along the water. We then finished our tour of Old Havana and made our way to lunch, which was at a roof-top restaurant called Bahia. At Bahia, an adorable dog named Tina followed us upstairs to our table. Our meal started with a welcome drink — I had a frozen lemonade, but I also tried my friend’s non-alcoholic pina colada. Bahia served both starters and entrees — I had chicken croquettes and a vegetable pasta dish. Both were delicious!

After the meal, we sang happy birthday to Rory and ate birthday strawberry cheesecake. Every meal in Cuba ended with coffee, so I also had my third coffee of the day.

Once lunch ended, we were free to explore Havana on our own for the rest of the day. My group of friends split and agreed to meet later in the day for dinner. David and Mike went to explore while Rory, Steph, Navya, Christina, Lovia, and I went to get tattoos. For Rory’s birthday, her one wish was to get a tattoo related to our trip to Cuba and we were ready to accomplish this mission. API recommended a tattoo shop located only ten minutes from Bahia, which is where we went.

The tattoo parlor thankfully accepted walk-ins and we had no wait at all! On our third day, Rory, Steph, and I woke up and found a baby gecko (we named him Jerome) on our bedroom wall. Rory fell in love with Jerome and knew she wanted to get him tattooed on her arm. At the tattoo parlor, I also decided to get a tattoo! Although very scared, I had been wanting music notes behind my ear for years and decided this was the perfect time to get it. Rory went upstairs to receive her tattoo first, and I followed soon after. I was so surprised — my tattoo did not hurt at all!

Once my tattoo was finished, I made my way downstairs to reunite with Rory, Steph, Navya, Christina, and Lovia. Upon making it downstairs, I saw the girls playing with a dog. I quickly learned this adorable dog figured out how to open the tattoo parlor door on his own and made his way inside. We played with the puppy for a while before leaving to explore Old Havana. We wanted to find some stores to buy souvenirs to bring home to our families. On our walk throughout Old Havana, David and Mike walked up behind us and scared us! It was two hours before our meeting time and we were not expecting to see them. We quickly decided to explore the city together.

The seven of us explored with no direction in mind. We eventually found the National Capitol Building (El Capitolio). Americans are not allowed to enter the Capitol Building, so we took .5 pictures of our group from outside! The sunset was beautiful, and a perfect way to start our night celebrating Rory’s 20th Birthday. Professor Z recommended visiting a roof-top restaurant called La Guardia, which is where we went next. We stayed at the restaurant for a while, enjoying the beautiful views of Havana and celebrating Rory.

Images 4 & 5: El Capitolio and the Sunset

Image 6: View from La Guardia Rooftop

After La Guardia, we realized we were far from the Residencia and decided to take a taxi back to Casa Vera to get more money for the night. We took two taxis, which were a little scary but safe, and accidentally told the drivers to take us to the wrong street. After getting dropped off, we walked an extra few blocks to make it back to Casa Vera. We quickly grabbed US dollars and Cuban pesos and returned to our welcome dinner restaurant, El Idilio, for Rory’s birthday dinner. After dinner, we continued celebrating Rory’s birthday before heading back to Casa Vera to prepare for our new adventures in the morning.

Our fifth day in Cuba was full of adventure and celebration. Before this trip, I did not know much about Cuba or its history. Our flexibility and willingness to explore allowed us to discover some of the prettiest views of Old Havana. By exploring Old Havana, absorbing Cuban history, celebrating my friend’s birthday, and commemorating the experience with my first tattoo, I created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.

On the morning of January 8th, I woke up to my alarm sounding at 6:45am. Breakfast would be starting at 7:30 upstairs and I wanted to be up, dressed, and ready for the day before making my way upstairs for breakfast. Like most mornings, I layed in bed for a few moments contemplating the day before finally deciding to get up out of bed. Mornings in Cuba were different though because I could not wake up and endlessly scroll on social media so I was out of bed quicker than usual. After getting ready, Emma, Steph, and I made our way upstairs to the breakfast table. This morning I decided to try the new fruit breads that were out for us to choose from. I had scrambled eggs as well and scooped a few bananas onto my plate like I usually do. Everyone was saying “Happy Birthday!” to me at the table and a student from NYU who was staying at Casa Vera as well came over to tell me it was also her birthday. After breakfast, we grabbed our things from our room and made our way down stairs this time to meet the other students for today’s adventures. Before heading to the bus, we went into the downstairs common area to try to get onto the wifi to message our families.

In the groupchat with the families of Emma, Steph, and I, I was flooded with “happy birthday” messages from the parents. My parents began sending baby pictures of me to the other parents. After messaging home, we made our way to the front lawn where the other students were already waiting to get onto the bus for the day. When our professor arrived, we greeted him and our bus driver Carlos, and headed over to our host university, the Center for Investigations of Psychology and Sociology (CIPS). This morning’s lecture was actually on one of the topics that I had presented prior to our departure to Cuba – the Cuban poet and philosopher, José Martí. Although I had researched most of the information presented about Martí, I think it was really interesting to learn more about him from someone who is Cuban. Statues of Martí can be found all throughout the city of Havana in fact, there is a statue of his head outside of our host university. As he is someone very influential to Cubans, I am sure many people grow up learning about him and know more than Google could ever provide for someone doing research.

Following the lecture, we got back onto the bus and made our way into Old Havana. Here, we began a tour of the older and more historical part of Havana where the buildings have

been preserved for years. When we first arrived, there was a very cute dachshund in the garden area! There are many animals walking the streets of Cuba with their owners or who do not have homes. Although it is sad to see animals who are homeless, I was very happy to see that many people feed and interact with the animals. During the tour, there was a lady sitting on the sidewalk with what looked like ten cats! She was just sitting with them feeding them all! As we were walking, a man on the street began drawing my friend David and following him down the street in order to give him this drawing. Afterwards, a man came up to David to get a picture with him for some money. We all laughed it off because these people were specifically asking David for things and no one else. After the tour, we went for lunch at La Bahía.

At lunch, I sat with all of my friends: Emma, Mike, Navya, Steph, Christina, and David. Most of us ordered virgin piña coladas with our meals, including me because I wanted to try one. For an appetizer we had croquettes which were served at most restaurants we visited in Cuba and for my lunch I had the pork dumpling option. We sat and talked for about an hour, eating our meals and taste testing each other’s drinks. Mike had gotten a lemonade with mint so we needed to pass it around our group to try it since everyone else had ordered the piña colada. All of a sudden, the restaurant staff came over with a cake and began singing for my birthday! I was very surprised because I did not plan on celebrating my birthday until later in the day. The cake was a delicious strawberry cheesecake and they had placed a fire-cracker-like candle on top. After lunch and dessert, I decided to get up to use the restroom when I found the dog, Tina, who was owned by someone working in the restaurant. She was sitting on one of the benches so I had to take a few pictures of her because she looked very funny. After lunch, it was our free time!

The first thing on my bucket list for free time was to get another tattoo. When I studied abroad in France, I got a tattoo to commemorate my trip and I really wanted to do the same here. In France, there were storks pretty much everywhere we went as a symbol of the area we were in – almost every store we entered was selling magnets, keychains, sweatshirts, and stuffed animals

of storks. Therefore, I got a tattoo of a stork on my arm. During the first few days in Cuba, I was keeping an eye out for something that resembled our trip that I could get for a tattoo. Then, on January 6th, our second full-day in Cuba, I woke up and saw that a tiny gecko had snuck into our room during the night. I knew this was going to be the tattoo. He had to be. I walked into La Marca, a tattoo shop in Old Havana, with Emma, Steph, Christina, Lovia, and Navya, and showed the man at the counter the picture I got of the gecko on my wall.

Although Emma had wanted a tattoo for a while, she had never gotten one. As we were sitting in the lobby, she decided she was finally going to get one. She had been planning to get a tattoo of music notes behind her ear so the two of us walked up to the man at the counter asking if the back of her ear was large enough for a tattoo. They said yes and we began drawing out music notes in the lobby for them. I went back for my tattoo first and as I was leaving Emma came up for hers. While we were waiting for her tattoo to finish, the five of us still in the lobby heard the door begin to open. There was a window on the door, but we were unable to see anyone coming in. All of a sudden this tiny dog walks through the door and asks us for pets. We sat and pet him while we waited for Emma to finish her tattoo.

After getting our tattoos, we met with Mike and David outside and continued walking around Old Havana looking at the shops. We made our way to the Capitol building where we stopped to take some pictures of it up close before finding somewhere to go for dinner. We decided to stop at La Guarida, a restaurant with a rooftop bar in Old Havana. The restaurant itself was on the seventh floor of the building, with large winding stairs and then when we finally made it to the restaurant, we had to go up another flight to the rooftop. When we finally made it up there, the skyline was so pretty we decided to take pictures together with the sky in the background. We ordered some mocktails as well before we left and made our way back towards the residencia.

We made our way back down the winding stairs of La Guarida and went outside to find a taxi to take us over to the area where we were staying. When we got outside, there were a few taxis waiting to take people where they needed to be, and we asked how much it would cost to take us. Since there were eight of us, we needed to split into two taxis in order to fit everyone. My taxi was Mike, Emma, Navya, and I, and the others piled into the other taxi. Mike knew Spanish and asked our driver to take us to 15 and E (pronounced ay in Spanish), David did not know Spanish and asked his driver to take us to 15 and I (pronounced ee in Spanish). Our driver knew all of us were together so he just followed the other car even though that is not where we were supposed to be going so it worked out fine in the end.

We walked back to our residencia, Casa Vera, and grabbed more money before heading down the street to the restaurant we had gone to during the welcome dinner in Cuba. When we stopped at Casa Vera, the other students on the trip were there so we all made our way to El Idilio for dinner. The fifteen of us had to break up between two tables to fit, but we were able to enjoy a dinner out together anyway. I got a really good pizza which was very different from American pizza. The crust was much thinner which I enjoyed because I am not a fan of pizza crust. Our curfew was not until 2am so we decided to stay out and celebrate my birthday more. After dinner at El Idilio, Emma, Steph, Christina, Navya, Mike, David, and I went to H-Bar for more mocktails. At 1:30, we made our way back to the residencia for our 2am curfew and decided to stay up for a little bit to chat before going to bed.

Turning 20 in Cuba will forever be one of the most memorable days of my life and I have a permanent gecko on my arm to commemorate it 🙂

After a night of putting our salsa skills to the test while exploring the nightlife in Cuba, I woke up to sunlight coming through the frosted windows and the sound of roosters. While some of my peers were annoyed by this untimely alarm clock, I found some comfort in this sound, having grown up raising chickens in Central Massachusetts. Now in a foreign country, I found myself seeking familiarity, even in the smallest of things that seemed of complete unimportance or even, like the roosters, a nuisance.

Before the Cuba Study Abroad Program, I had never set foot in a plane let alone traveled far outside of New England. Upon telling family members and friends when I signed up for the trip, many expressed apprehension and weariness that over time spread to me. However, after exiting the plane in Havana at the Jose Marti Airport and riding the bus to La Residencia where we would be staying, I slowly began realizing I had made the right decision in signing up. If anything, I now worry that future trips to other countries might prove underwhelming, lacking the everyday excitement and challenges we faced as a group in Cuba. I also doubt that I would find such an amazing group of friends to share the experience with as I did during this trip.

After quickly getting dressed and packing my bag for the day, I walked upstairs to the breakfast provided by la residencia, Casa Vera. They served toast, fruits, and what I would consider some of the best eggs I have ever had. Loading into the bus, our driver, Carlos, set off for the San Jose Art Fair, one of my most anticipated destinations of the trip. The fair took place inside of a large, two-story warehouse packed full of booths and vendors.

We split off into smaller groups and began exploring the downstairs, which consisted of all sorts of typical tourist souvenirs—magnets, keychains, and pins. The vendors were persistent in trying to catch the attention of anyone walking by, which proved slightly overwhelming and stressful. Even if uninterested in the booth, in an attempt to avoid being rude, I found myself going over to the booths and briefly speaking with people which I enjoyed. After going over to a woman selling bracelets, the group of girls I went with decided to get matching bracelets made of various colored rocks. In the following days, we began noticing random splotches of bright colors on our hands, arms, and clothes, which we soon realized was dye leeching off of the bracelets. This didn’t deter us from continuing to wear them though.

Moving upstairs, there were rows and rows of paintings and photographs. With each artist’s station consisting of fairly unique pieces, this contrasted greatly with the repetitive items downstairs. Many paintings depicted the music scene in Cuba, such as a man playing a trumpet or a group of colorfully dressed women with drums, while other paintings illustrated the streets of Cuba, such as the old 1950s cars or the crowded streets of Old Havana.

One piece I bought was a watercolor painting of a hummingbird made by a kind, soft-spoken woman. With my Spanish speaking skills questionable at best, we spoke English as she told me about the technique used in creating the painting and the type of hummingbird, a bee hummingbird, which is native to Cuba and the smallest bird in the world, depicted in the piece. Despite her calm demeanor, she expressed pride in her work and made sure I could see all of her pieces up close, taking them down for me to hold.

Before leaving, some students stopped off at the bathroom where, to our surprise, required us to pay. In order to enter and receive toilet paper at some places in Cuba, you have to pay some unfixed amount of either Cuban pesos or US dollars. Also, it was important for us to remember to not flush the toilet paper because the pipes are too old to handle it. Many of the bathrooms tended to lack either a toilet seat, proper lock, or soap, but by the end of the trip, this became normal. We would prepare by bringing tissues and hand sanitizer just in case.

Next, we headed off to Guanabo, a small beach town in the Province of Havana only forty minutes out from the city where we were to listen to a lecture from a Cuban Marine Biologist. Upon arriving and viewing the sand and water, I was shocked by the contrast between the streets in the city, typically filled with people and the smell of diesel, to the sight of the quiet beach. During the lecture, we learned about coral bleaching which is the process of coral turning white due to different stressors including changes in light, available nutrients, and water temperature. Another issue for coral along the coast of Cuba is white syndrome, a disease resulting in lesions, tissue loss, and potentially death for the organism. Mangroves are also vital to the Cuban coastal ecosystem. In general, marine biologists are working to mitigate the damage being done to these coastal ecosystems by climate change, pollution, and other factors.

After the lecture, we finally headed into the water which seemed like the perfect temperature; however, according to one of our API program managers, Sarah-Lis, the water was way too cold. Many of us commented on how easy it felt to float, only having to slightly lean back, as a result of how salty the water is. We ended up playing chicken, or attempting to since it proved challenging to get up on our partner’s backs. Many of us either ended up hanging on for dear life as we slid off or seemingly drowning our partner underneath as they couldn’t stand back up with the added weight. While swimming, it didn’t feel like we were in any specific country or location, it just felt like I was spending time with a group of friends. We could have stayed there for hours on hours if we were able to.

Getting out of the water, we noticed that at the adjacent house, a man was cutting open coconuts and selling them. A group of us headed over and entered the backyard, surprised to find a small, young crocodile in a caged area. Heading back onto the beach, a group began playing soccer, eventually trading a coconut for an actual soccer ball, while a few others and I went to walk down the beach. There were seashells and sea glass along the shore which we collected, as well as chipped pieces of tile and trash.

Noticing a storm coming in, as the winds and waves intensified, and the sky darkened, we headed in to eat. A buffet-style meal with rice, beans, vegetables, chips, fish, and lobster was waiting for us. While I initially worried that I may not like the food in Cuba, I found the complete opposite to be true—I miss it greatly. From the croquettes to the taro root to the coconut ice cream, nearly every single meal was delicious. Typically at restaurants, the service seemed longer than one would expect in the US, but the quality of food usually made it worth the wait. Every meal concluded with some sort of dessert and a small serving of coffee.

Having to leave the beach in Guanabo was bittersweet, but there was always something planned next on the itinerary to keep us busy. After returning to the residencia to clean up and have a quick meal, we drove out to el Morro fortress for the Canonazo Ceremony. Every night at 9 PM, a cannon is shot off to alert the closing of gates intended to protect the city from enemies. The men performing the ceremony dress in traditional style attire as they march over to the cannon. While we were able to get a good viewing spot, I was slightly worried about being so close since we were warned many times about how loud the shot was. Prompted by the playing of a drum, the shot rang out as I blocked my ears and felt the vibration from the cannon.

Looking out over the fortress walls, I could see the water and other parts of the city lit up in the night. Despite these lights, outside of the main streets, it was fairly dark at night which made walking on the cracked and hole-ridden sidewalks a daunting task. Our program manager advised us to walk in the middle of the road as a safer option, which we followed and found to be true.

After the ceremony, we went back to La Residencia to play some Uno. One game took nearly an hour to finish, possibly due to my bad shuffling but we will never know for sure. We ended up teaming up to try to get anyone to win. While going out at night was always fun and eventful as I got to meet locals and explore a new city, the nights playing Uno were just as memorable. From visiting Cuba, I learned how my own everyday life in the United States is not the reality for many people. While the material standards in terms of amenities and resources were less, the collectivist mindset of Cuba was an improvement in my eyes from the individualistic mindset in America. A sense of belonging and community can greatly improve one’s quality of life. This and the group of friends I made during my time in Cuba are what I will miss most, but I am excited to continue traveling—learning and engaging with communities across the world.

The morning began with the call of roosters on the street. Breakfast at our residencia was the typical fresh banana and papaya, served with eggs, toast, coffee, and fresh mango juice. At 9:00 am, the fifteen of us gathered onto our Transtur bus, akin to a tour bus or coach bus service in the US. From there we were driven through the bustling streets of Havana over roads of pavement, dirt, and stone bricks. Our driver attempted to obey the imaginary lanes as we passed cars made in the 1960s, some with no windows or side mirrors. Despite the lack of automobile safety and up to date infrastructure, the people of Havana laughed and conversed on the haggard sidewalks, feeding the neighborhood dogs, and buying fresh fruit from permit-less stands. 

As our bus pulled up to the San Jose Art Fair, we entered what resembled a hollowed out mill building or parking garage, now occupied by hundreds of stalls filled with handmade jewelry, paintings, and crafts. Some of the art included paintings of Mickey Mouse holding a Cuban cigar and stickers of the Apple logo with a Cuban flag- an obvious and humorous attempt to appeal to Americans.

From the instant we entered the market, we were bombarded with “holas” and “buenos dias”. We quickly realized it was impossible to walk more than 10 steps without being ushered into a stall by an artist. You couldn’t get a word out before they began to elaborate on their merchandise and prices. Beautiful paintings that could have sold for hundreds of dollars in America were being sold for $10-$30 USD. Ornate, handmade trinkets and decorated clay mugs were going for $5 at the most. There was more art than you could imagine. We could have spent an entire day there wandering the stalls and admiring it all. 

I kept joking to the artists that we were very popular there. In reality, their urgency was primarily a reflection of the suffering economy and lack of tourism due to America’s 62-year trade embargo, referred to by Cubans as “el bloqueo”, the blockade.  Despite our government’s harsh sanctions that leave most Cubans with no money to spare, we were greeted with smiles. I purchased many trinkets at the craft fair, including wooden bracelets, paintings of the Havana streets, and a hand-woven dress. Each purchase was met with gratitude from the seller, one of whom said he had not made a sale in 2 weeks. 

Their desperation and our wealth enabled us to negotiate the prices of their goods. In a way, this was optimal for us, however I felt a twinge of guilt knowing these people earn $20-$40 a month and that they have spent decades perfecting their craft. My longest and most memorable interaction was with a woman who offered to braid my hair for $10. I agreed, and we engaged in basic conversation, which was possible due to my minimal Spanish vocabulary. I tipped her an additional 600 pesos- equivalent to $2-$4 USD after she showed me pictures of her young daughter. I handed it to her saying “En América, yo trabajo una hora para quince dinero. Es no mucho para mi,” or, “In America, I work 1 hour for $15. It is not much to me.”

After about an hour at the art fair, we departed for the town of Guanabo, about 20 minutes from Havana. There we set down our bags at a nearly complete beach house perched on the Caribbean Sea. It was one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. I joked with the other students that if we pooled all our money together, surely we could afford the house. The woman hosting us had been constructing it for almost twenty years, hand laying the stones herself with a small team of workers. She intended to put it on the market soon for a mere $500,000. 

We enjoyed a lecture from a Cuban marine biologist there, who informed us of the research and conservation she performs on the island. We learned about the importance of lagoons, mangroves, and coral reefs to the ecosystems. She explained that while Cuba has sufficient policies to protect the wildlife, and Cuban culture values the natural world, a lack of resources makes the laws hard to enforce. For instance, fishermen are prohibited from fishing in many protected areas around the island, however there are almost no ships to patrol and enforce these rules. 

Following our lesson, we changed into swimsuits and took a dip in the ocean. The water was bright blue, and the air was a perfect 80 degrees. A man, who likely overheard our English and spotted us tossing a football, came over to sell us fresh coconut juice. After a seaside lunch of rice and beans, Caribbean lobster, and various fruits I don’t know the name of, we returned to our residencia for a late siesta.

On our first day in Havana, we were warned we would receive attention as Americans, which might be positive or negative. This day we were greeted by only smiles and “bienvenidos”. My knowledge of the Cuban economy and US’s sanctions made me more willing to buy from the locals at the art fair. I knew that my money would go much further for them than it would for me. I am not oblivious to the fact that some Cubans likely held resentment and distaste towards us due to the American government’s actions. However, our money as visitors from a developed world likely prevailed. I am glad that I was able to brighten the days of so many people with only a few dollars. In addition, I was blessed to experience the Cuban art scene and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the island.

Ainsley Skinner

I was lucky enough to be a member of the UMass Lowell study abroad program in Havana, Cuba. This experience was eye opening in so many different ways. The differences between our “normal” lives and what I was able to witness in Cuba are shocking. Each day during our time in Cuba were met with new opportunities to experience the culture of the country. This was especially the case on the third day we had in Cuba. This day was truly unlike any other day in my life. 

            My life since I was very young was largely centered around baseball. The sport is my life, and the Yankees are my soul. Yet, in America today, baseball is losing its grip on the younger generation. On my third day in Cuba, it was clear that it would be different. This day began with our group being able to play baseball with the Cuban kids. At first, as you would expect, the kids were quiet. But very quickly that changed. The kids were lively, and the true passions of baseball were showing. Even though my Spanish is subpar, our love for the sport brought us together. That morning concluded with my team of my fellow students and Cuban stars defeating Professor Z’s team. An amazing victory. 

            This victory became so much sweeter when we were able to give the children the gifts, we brought for them. In Cuba, the day was Three Kings Day. This is a traditional day in which the children would be given gifts. All the students from UMass Lowell brought baseball gear and supplies for the kids. The best of all, being the Yankees hat that made its way into my backpack. There was one boy who was clearly going to be the recipient of this hat. When I gave it to him, honestly, I believe he was slightly confused. Once he understood what was going on, he was elated. That feeling is contagious. These children deserve everything we gave them and so much more.

            The field in which we played on was part of the property of Ernest Hemmingway. He was an American writer who embraced Cuba. Hemingway was beloved for many reasons, including how he treated the youth in the country. The kids of his area wanted to play baseball and Hemmingway was able to provide them with a place to play. So, a short walk from our field was the home of Ernest, sitting atop the hill. Walking through his property was a strange feeling. His home was full of big game that was hunted and different areas in which he would write and draw influence. While this part of the day was not the most thrilling, it was still true history. This house was preserved to be as if Hemmingway was still living there. That is the feeling around Cuba as a whole. Not the idea that everything has been preserved, but that everything is a part of history in one way or another. Every house that you see, every building you pass, and every road that you walk feels as if it is another piece of Cuban culture and past time. 

            At the conclusion of the Hemingway tour, we were able to see the boat he used for fishing. At the same time, I was able to look to my left and see the children down the way still playing baseball. When I really looked, I could see the same boy playing and wearing the Yankees hat. While the hat was a little big for him, he made it work. We continued and before leaving for lunch, there was a man churning sugarcane into a beverage. We had to stop by and grab a glass. These are the moments that I will never take for granted. The small moments in the world of Cuba.

            From Hemingway, we moved onto our next destination, and urban farm. This farm, following suit to the majority of Cuba, was not what I was expecting. This farm was innovative and made such efficient use of the land that was available. This farm also gave another powerful insight into the people of Cuba. This was a personal sized farm which the owners opened to our eyes. They allowed us to walk around, try the produce, and learn how they can be successful farmers. The farm was full of glass and plastic bottles strategically placed in the ground to better water distribution but also provide structural integrity. Those farmers were a true testament to the Cuban people. 

            The lunch of this day was beautiful. The restaurant was only a few doors down from the urban farm and was home to much of the produce we saw being grown. The lunch contained fresh fish, produce and so many other delightful dishes. When it was time to go, the mother of Cuban coffee arrived. Setting up shop in the corner of the restaurant, she went to work. One by one our students walked up and politely asked for a cup. Delicious. Again, we are being treated amazingly by the Cubans who are so ready and willing to share their culture and ways of life. 

            For the remainder of the afternoon and evening, we were able to recover and prepare ourselves for the night ahead of us. This evening was going to be very unlike any other night in my life, salsa night. We made our way to the outdoor venue which was quiet when we first arrived. The area became active very quickly. There was a clear dance floor since the moment we arrived, but the dance floor was not the only place where dance was permitted. Salsa was fluid through the entirety of this venue. The salsa is a beautiful dance which appears to be rehearsed in some manner. Each movement is done with purpose and the partner is able to react and respond in such a perfect way. Yet the most impressive facet, everybody does it. Every single Cuban in that venue was able to move better than I ever could. Even the elders are able to move their bodies like they are twenty. It was clear that the salsa is a staple in Cuban culture. 

            This day in Cuba was an insightful gaze into true Cuban society and culture. What matters to these people? What matters is clear. Happiness. This was consistent through every day and night in Cuba. The people are happy and the lives they live are fulfilling for them. They all dance and are connected with those around them. The idea of personal space does not exist in Cuba. While this day was amazing, so was every day that we experienced in Cuba. For different reasons and in different ways, I was changed every day. Just being present in the atmosphere that is Cuba is life changing. The classic car galore is a sight that was just remarkable. From this trip onward the smell of exhaust will always bring me back. The time we had in Cuba was brief and I do not know when I will ever have the opportunity to return. With this, I extend a thank you to Cuba for allowing our exposure to your world. 

Embarking on a day in Havana, I found myself immersed in a tapestry of experiences that showcased the rich culture, resilience, and boundless spirit of the Cuban people. From engaging in a spirited Little League baseball game to exploring the iconic Hemingway House and culminating in a rhythmic evening at a salsa club, each moment painted a vivid portrait of life in this vibrant city.

In the heart of Havana, where the morning sun casts a golden glow on the cobbled streets, I had the privilege of experiencing a memorable day of sportsmanship against a local Cuban little league team. The diamond was not your typical Little League field – no manicured grass or gleaming stadium lights. Instead, the field exuded a raw charm, surrounded by tropical flora and the timeless presence of the Hemingway House. The field, lacking manicured grass and stadium lights, became a stage for cultural exchange. The Cuban kids, equipped with well-worn gloves and homemade bats, exuded a contagious enthusiasm. Despite the evident limitations in resources, their passion for the game was palpable.

The makeshift bases marked by stones and the absence of a scoreboard only heightened the purity of the sport. It was a stark reminder that the essence of baseball lies not in the equipment but in the spirit of the players. The Hemingway house, a silent witness, seemed to amplify the cheers and laughter that echoed across the makeshift diamond. With the final innings of the baseball game, the day transitioned into a literary pilgrimage to the Hemingway house. As I stepped onto the makeshift field, my limited baseball skills became apparent after a series of missed swings. The coach, sensing my struggle, kindly switched to throwing underhand pitches up close. Despite my initial difficulty, the gesture was both sweet and humbling. The entire field erupted in applause when, after my third try, I finally connected with the ball. Their love for all of us was evident as the clapping echoed across the makeshift diamond.

As I approached the Hemingway house, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The colonial charm of the mansion, surrounded by lush tropical greenery, hinted at the tales and adventures that unfolded within its walls. Hemingway, an aficionado of Cuba, chose this idyllic spot to pen some of his most celebrated works, including “The Old Man and the Sea.” The sprawling gardens surrounding the Hemingway house were a testament to the author’s love for the outdoors. Paths lined with tropical blooms led to the famous swimming pool, where anecdotes of social gatherings and Hemingway’s love for leisurely afternoons unfolded. The house’s verandas offered panoramic views, inviting contemplation and reflection. Beyond the physical artifacts, the Hemingway house echoed with stories shared by knowledgeable guides. Tales of the author’s interactions with local Cubans, his love for fishing expeditions, and the enduring impact of his presence on the community added depth to the experience. It became evident that Hemingway’s connection to Cuba was not merely literary but a profound bond with the culture and people.

As the sun began its descent, underneath the starlit sky of Havana, I found myself immersed in the pulsating rhythms of a salsa club, where the vibrant spirit of Cuba came alive. This post-dinner evening became a captivating journey into the heart of Cuban nightlife, where music, dance, and infectious joy converged to create an unforgettable experience.

The lively sounds of Afro-Cuban beats spilled into the cobblestone streets, inviting us to join the rhythmic celebration. The salsa club became a melting pot of cultures, where the Cuban people’s innate ability to express themselves through dance took center stage. The pulsating rhythms of salsa, deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions, served as the heartbeat of the night.

Amidst the swirl of dancers in the salsa club, I found myself swept up in the rhythm. The Cuban locals shared their passion for salsa, blurring the boundaries between strangers and creating a sense of community on the dance floor. Many locals often saw us struggling and joined into a dance circle, lighting up the mood and bringing a breadth of fresh air to the anxiously dancing 20 year olds. The night became a universal celebration, where laughter, cheers, and the syncopated beats of music transcends language barriers, echoing the spirit of a people who find joy in the simple act of living.

As the day in Havana came to a close, I sat on my bed thinking about the diverse experiences that unfolded, each contributing to the vibrant mosaic of Cuban life. From the exuberance of Little League baseball to the literary legacy of Hemingway and the infectious joy of salsa dancing, the day encapsulated the resilience, cultural richness, and unwavering spirit that define Havana. This journey through a day in Cuba was a testament to the beauty found in the intersection of sportsmanship, history, literature, and the universal language of music and dance.