Why Travel to Cuba?

Why we came to Cuba?

 

We have been in Cuba for three and half weeks. In four days, we leave Cuba for good. Why did we come to Cuba? What have we learned, besides common sightseeing? Would we come back? Would we recommend to our friends?

I wanted to see Castro's Cuba after its revolution 57 years ago. How, a truly communist country with a trade ban from world's richest country, is doing on its own? How are people doing economically and politically? Bulu wanted to learn its history, culture and music! Obama's and Pope's recent visits and detailed TV reports fueled our desire to learn about this largest Caribbean island only 90 miles south of Florida Keys. Other additional items we were interested in are Cuban gastronomy and Christianity under communism.

There are no star attractions like Machu Pichu (Peru), Galapagos (Ecuador), Azteca pyramids and burial grounds of Mexico or Taj Mahal (India). Cuba, however, has at least nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We visited seven World Heritage Sites.  Cuba's tourist industry is growing and people are offering their one or two rooms in their houses for travelers like us, which is a fantastic opportunity to live and learn with Cuban common people. We stayed all 28 days in Casa Particulars and had breakfast every morning. Many nights we enjoyed home cooked seafood or vegetarian dinners! Cuban Rum has become our favorite drink!

However, in months of April and May, we felt it was so hot and humid. Bulu's asthma is really bad. She can't breath without using her inhaler. I am worried that she will run out of life-giving medicine. One day, I had to rush her to a local hospital for Asthma treatment (that story for another time). So why did we come to Cuba and was it worth it? Please read my other blog posts and pictures!