Today was the last day of seeing 1950 mint-green cars driving on the roads of Cuba. Today was the last day of seeing buildings with façades of orange, blue and pink all on the same street. Today was the last day of walking along the roads and being able to start a conversation (even with my 6 months of Spanish 1).
Today, we started our day off at an organic farm called Coincidences. This sustainable farm also happened to feature artists work from Matanzas that are scattered along the property. Along the way, Odalys showed us a medicinal herb called moringa which we ate in a wonderful soup for lunch. One thing that struck me was how dry the soil was. It is the dry season in Cuba right now so a lot of the fruits this farm is growing aren't ripe yet. Moreover, Cuba is in a drought right now, which has led to many rivers and lakes drying out, resulting in the deaths of its inhabitants.
After an hour bus ride back to Habana, we got off the bus and visited the Revolution Museum. As you make your way into the museum, the first thing you notice is the configuration of bullet holes which cover the marble walls. Towards the beginning of the revolution, this building itself was attacked by students who wanted a change in power. Our marvelous tour guide, Denis, explained to us that Cuba still considers itself in a state of revolution due to the fact that revolution means "continuously changing."
Everything Cuba has offered us has been lively and youthful. The people have been laughing constantly, showing true passion in whatever they're doing. The restaurants are always filled with talented musicians playing music like it is their last time with traditional Cuban songs like Guantanamera. The streets are full of vendors who wait for you to peruse their goods, or dogs who sniff for scraps of food. Sometimes, you'll even see a horse drawn carriage gliding along the highway right next to you. The streets are filled with so many voices that are educated and want to teach. I know that I have definitely gained a vast amount of knowledge on this trip.
-Maggie Perlman
No comments:
Post a Comment