Since Cuba is open to US citizens for travel now, I'm wild to go! There are several ways you can qualify to travel to Cuba, one way is to go with Cuba travel organizations that are recognized by the U.S. state department, and they'll take you on tours. I’m pretty sure I would have to drag Trever there, so who wants to join me? I have reasons.
One- I want to go because the buildings are pastel. They’re pastel and old and right up against the water.
Two- Cuban food is the food of the gods. My favorite two restaurants in Orange County are Felix’s and Habana – Cuban, of course. I like the vegetables and fish with black beans, rice and plantains, oh and mojitos, MOJITOS! It is the perfect combination of savory and sweet, filling and healthy.
Three- it is sort of a time capsule which is both interesting and tragic. The country has not yet been tainted by mass tourism and the Americanization you might see in most high travel cities. A little history, it only became an independent nation in 1902 as it was occupied by Spain for years, and Britain for a short period as well. During the Cuban Revolution in the 50s Fidel and Raul Castro took control and Raul maintains power in the communist regime currently still in place. Early on in the Castro dynasty ties were broken with the U.S. due to Fidel’s dislike of American influence and the US imposition of a trade embargo in 1961 that was eventually mandated in many other European & Asian countries as well. Only in 1997 was it legal for Cubans to be in contact with foreign visitors, even then the censorship was, and is so tight they are very isolated from the rest of the world. Their culture is rich full of street music and salsa dancing, plus beautiful beaches 1950's vehicles from The States - due to the US embargo, they have maintained these cars using household materials and some Soviet technology - the point is they're gorgeous and all over Cuba. I want to go before those crazy tourists ruin it.
Four, one of my very best friends is Cuban and she’s fabulous. I have nothing else to add to this point, but I believe it's a valid one.
Havana – 4 // Not Havana - 0
Photo by: Ayenia Nour who sells her Havana prints HERE