Edit: First of all Happy Founder's Day!!! Since I am just now getting some Internet. Perfect timing for a shoutout to the Alma Mater <3
Now where was I....
Original Post:
What a time. I made it through a whole weekend in Cuba (plus a WHOAWHOA Monday) and let me just say it is not the easiest thing. Although many of my students first language is Spanish, I still find it a bit complicated to catch on to what people are saying. It can be that people are talking super-fast here or better yet I am very slow; I am not sure. I decided to take this trip for many reasons. One: its VACATION time so Adios Nueva Yorke. Two: I am an English Language Teacher and my relationships with students and my teaching style thrives on cultural responsive teaching. Three: I must walk the talk, meaning I always tell my students to try hard and to be patient. So here I am with my story on how I am currently trying hard and being patient with the ebb and flow of things in a country with so much to learn from.
When I arrived at the airport I had to pee. Like really bad. Something told me when I was in my seat on the plane to push pass all the passengers and go in the opposite direction to use the toilet. However, I went against that lurch in my belly and proceeded to exit the aircraft. When I got to immigration I was informed that the bathroom was “Sucio” and the water supply had been cut. Lord. Pride aside I proceeded to a toilet without less excretions and waste floating around. One hour later, I received my luggage and if you add another hour to that I was finally out and on my way.
The one thing I noticed most over this weekend when I reflect is how you should just let some things go. There is a quote about Buddha and another monk going out walking when they encountered a young woman who needed help crossing the bridge. Buddha carried the woman over the water because something was wrong with bridge. (Something to that effect) Anyhow, the friend was so shocked and after some miles of walking exclaimed, “You carried that woman and you know its against the rules!” Buddha calmly replied, “I dropped her off back there and you carried her all the way here.” (Something to that effect) Some people tried and succeeded in getting me. I mean I got scammed a couple of times.
Not that it is okay but I see the lessons I was meant to learn in those scenarios. My cab ride from the Airport to Mi Casa was way too much and the Cigars I bought were “malo no Bueno” (as told from my Cuban Dad, Luis).
Speaking of the lovely people I am staying with, Lourdes and her husband, Luis. So accommodating and sweet. Every morning I look forward to desayuno and the call of my name. Breakfast consists of loads of carbs which are much needed since I have been strictly on a 2/3 meal sequence while here. I honestly am not eating out on the street as much. What is out of sequence though has been my strict vegan diet. And I’m not dead yet! Eating small portions of huevos and spoonfuls of helados has not sent me asunder. I do not plan to continue this phenomena once I get home. Almuerzo and Cena are always accompanied by ensaladas that are pure and vibrant. Food and conscious eating is no problema aqui.
La Habana is made for walking. I find myself walking with various moods. Mostly in wonder and usually in frustration to be honest. Honesty and authenticity is the theme while In Cuba and in life generally. As simple as it sounds its truly hard to be honest and authentic with so many factors vying for you to shift and transform that way and this way. Havana is a huge little city bustling with things to do and people enticing you to do things. My favorite line is, “It’s just talking no problem” Yet since I’ve been here it always leads closely to a sale. To avoid getting got I remember I am a Black woman and a New Yorker and I innately have it in me to smile reply Hello OR not smile and not talk while fearlessly walking. Either way they shall soon get the vibe that I am not the one today or even tomorrow.
Being immersed in Cuba culturally and linguistically has re-taught me the importance of taking deep breaths. I live near the sea wall in Vedado and everyday I am drawn to the mystic tri-colored waters that sing soothing lullabies and cheers throughout the day. The waters are so beautiful and I can hear voices describing so many emotions in the complex human experience retelling stories of the past, present and future. Reminding me to be and remain hopeful with each inhale and exhale.
It’s all about hope and the spirit that lives within hope. Hoping you make it through the day. Hoping you meet someone who understands you and you them. Hoping the store has what you need. Hoping the sun will come out. Hoping the sun will go back away. Hoping the guy is there because you need a new wifi card to communicate to loved ones who are hoping you are okay. Hoping you will call. Hoping you have enough CUCs. Hoping the bus is not packed. Hoping you can finally get to the museum. Hoping its open because you travelled all over lost for about 6 hours. Hoping you can get a drink when you find out its Monday and its closed. Hoping you never lose the simple joys like ninas playing in the park each joyfully screaming Mida , Mida! because they all have something unique to display to each other. Even hoping that tomorrow is just like today or even better, complications in all, because you really made it through the day a new. A pleasant hope. Not the urgent kind but the kind that if your hope goes another way it will still be okay. You’ll survive the weekend and the Monday.
You’ll eat yummy food prepared with love until all you want to do is take a nap. You’ll take pictures with pink cars. You laugh up with the sun and say, “Whoa Shapel you’re in Cuba even through you have massive responsibilities and debts God has provided for you to be in Cuba now.” You’ll be grateful. You’ll tear up with a smile. You’ll get some not so positive messages about bills and financial obligations but it’ll fade away because you are here now and that is alla. You’ll see a great deal of La Havana on a bus tour. You’ll get corrected gratefully when you ask a beautiful sister if she is from New York or anywhere America and she’ll say No but she is American, She is from Costa Rica. You’ll remember again joyfully that you can learn even when you forget you can learn and someone will always have something to teach you. You’ll remember America is not the center of the universe. You’ll see people everywhere who thinks that idea is ridiculous and no one will ask you much about New York because there is so much to talk about in Cienfuegos, La Havana Vieja, Artemisa and etc. You’ll really appreciate these subtle things. You’ll grow from it all.
You are here. You are in Cuba. You are sun-kissed. You are fed and full. You are bare face and beautiful. You are round and ask for seconds. You are hydrated. You are adventurous. You are always learning. You are really here now.
The funniest thing is that was just the weekend plus one Monday!
