My next traveling destination is.... Cuba!

Where?: 

Havana, Cuba

Matanzas, Cuba

Varadero, Cuba

When?: 

July 2000 with my mother.

July 2002 with my mother.

July 2004 with my mother.

Hotels?:

Melia Havana

Beaches in Varadero

Duration of Flight?: Close to 3 hours

Population?: 11, 423, 952 (Cuba)

2,400,300 (Havana)

20,000 (Varadero)

Why?: My mother was born in Cuba but had not been there since she left (at 11 years old). Therefore, we went there: 1) To visit the beautiful country itself & 2) Visit some family members

My experience: I thought Cuba was a beautiful country but unfortunate to not have the rights that many other countries like ours has. One would think though that because of the fact that they aren't really allowed to do much, that they would be miserable and unhappy people. But this is not true at all, Cubans are probably one of the most friendly people I have ever encountered in my life. They are always open to help anyone they could, invite them over for dinner, talk to whoever, whenever, and just be genuinely nice people. 

Whoever isn't familiar with the Cuban culture, I will give you some background information. Cuba which I am sure that many do know is a communist country/island and has been for a very long time under the regime of Fidel Castro. Cubans unlike most other human beings around the world, are not allowed to leave the country for any circumstances even for pleasure unless it is a very extreme situation in which a close family member is ill in another country. This is why you see Cubans leaving Cuba in a little "banana boat" like we call it because they are desperate to leave a country that does not let them expression their voice. If anyone in Cuba were to talk bad about their president, Fidel Castro, they will get arrested just for voicing their opinion, but in Cuba there isn't such thing as freedom of speech. Cubans do not know what that is.  

Back to the vacation. The beaches in Varadero, Cuba are one of the most beautiful, clean, and clear blue watered beaches I have ever seen. You would be surprised as to how many Canadians one sees in Varadero. I was appalled. 

In Matanzas, Cuba this was a different story. Here is where the poverty was really shown. There were houses, including my families, which the entire house was held by one single stick. If that stick ever fell, the entire house would fall. That just gives you a visual of what these houses look like. This is where I honestly started to feel bad because it is just so sad to see people live how these people lived. The toilet is something that us Americans would like to call a bucket. Yup you heard it, a bucket!

On a better note, Cuba is a beautiful country with beautiful people and I think that everyone at one point in their life should take the time to visit the island! 

Adios!