Anna Lee Roberts
We are beginning the second half of our stay here in Cuba now. It’s been a very busy first week, with nearly non-stop learning, activities and discussion. Combine all that work with the culture shock, upset digestive systems, sleep disturbances, and language barriers...we were feeling pretty worn out in those early days. This weekend, we are starting to feel more settled. The trip out of town to Cojimar and the beach yesterday was a nice break.
Today is our first “free” day, to do as we please. It’s our first rainy day, too, and a cold one by Cuban standards (a low of 67°F and heaven for us Minnesotans). My roommates and I slept in, had a nice breakfast served by our hosts, and I had some quiet time to write and reflect. Some of us had planned to meet up for a walking group, but it was pouring rain by then. Later tonight, some of us will dress up to see the ballet Swan Lake performed at the Gran Teatro in Habana Vieja.
In our interactions with locals and taking in the atmosphere, I am reminded again and again that Cubans are truly our neighbors. Miami is just 90 miles away from Havana! The people have been tremendously welcoming and friendly. They are genuinely glad to see us and talk with us. Music and food have been great ways for us to connect and have fun. Our lecturers have been very thoughtful, professional and straightforward in how they approach the relationship between our two countries. Repeatedly, I have heard the message that the tension is between our governments, not between the people.
One of the biggest areas of tension for myself, and many of us in the group is the government narratives, specifically through museum exhibits, about what happened in the 60s during the early days of the revolution. We have heard many claims from the Cuban government of atrocities, repeated acts of terrorism by the U.S. CIA and large-scale efforts to cause suffering by blocking or destroying resources, things that we have never heard of in the U.S.
There are also tremendous amount of tourists visiting here from all around the world. I can’t help but think about how much easier it is for citizens of other countries to visit Cuba, whereas U.S. citizens have numerous restrictions on our interactions with Cuba, most-to-all of them imposed by our own government. I also wonder about how much Cuba might change, perhaps for the worst, if our relations were more free-flowing. In some of our lectures, we have learned about how the recently lifted restrictions and increased government permissions have amplified economic and racial inequalities in Cuban society. This has been an important reflection point in thinking about our own society and inequalities back home.
Today I am feeling extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here in Cuba, to immerse, engage, and reflect. It has been very helpful to unplug and be deeply present here in Cuba. There is no doubt that these experiences will enrich us as leaders and as citizens of the world.
Hasta que reunirnos de nuevo,
Anna Lee Roberts