Cuba: La Isla Grande

Cuba has been one of the countries which I’ve always wanted to travel to but thought I would never had the opportunity to do so. It was not until I was informed about the short term winter study abroad opportunity that might possibility and hopes went up. Through the Hola Cuba: people to people for US citizens by Intrepid, a group of GW students (including myself) and GW staff had the opportunity to travel through different cities in Cuba.

Initially, I was having a mixture of emotions about what to expect of Cuba. As an International Affairs major, I took several courses focused in Latin America in which we studied the history of Cuba and its relations with other Latin American countries, I was excited to put more of a real aspect to all of the knowledge I already had. I had the opportunity to perceive and learn more about the history of Cuba and the effects of the US embargo. But, due to recent incidents after the elections, I was worried about peoples thoughts of a group of American Students touring Cuba.

After arriving to Cuba, my entire perspective of the trip and all of the mixed emotions cleared up. As a Nicaraguan-American I had a different perspective compared to the majority of my groupmates. I also had a different experience. Throughout the majority of the trip I was asked where I was from, which after answering with Nicaragua consisted of an insightful conversation about Latin Americans touring Cuba and the importance of helping each other as Latinos. Through the conversations with the tour guides, and the hosts I was able to learn more about Cuba.

Although we hear and learn about the great education system in Cuba, it was not until I experienced it that I was able to believe it. The majority of the people we encountered were not only highly educated but they knew almost perfect English. In addition, a lot of people knew about the history of their communities. Before traveling to Cuba, I knew about the amount of people that moved to Cuba to obtain high quality medical education. But after talking with the tour guide in the Revolution museum, I learned more about the strength in other fields. The tour guide asked about my major, and begin to speak about amazing programs offered in Cuba which prepare Cubans interested in international affairs to be prepared with different scenarios and environments.

In addition, I gained a different perspective and more information about Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. The two were very influential and strong leaders that were able to accomplish their goals and dreams for Cuba. But, I also learned about the lack of information on foreign affairs or foreign countries. After talking about my background, I was asked about my opinion of Nicaragua which the tour guide responded with “Oh, we only hear good things about Nicaragua.”

Overall, I was able to gain a bigger perspective of Cuban tourism and beautiful culture.

Lessons Learned

As an International Affairs major, I knew very little about cultural tourism. Most of the coursework I have taken at GW consists of history and research papers, not hospitality and business analytics. I did, however, have preconceived notions about tourism in developing countries. I have seen how capitalist industries like the tourism sector do more harm than good for locals. For example, tourist companies have privatized Jamaican beaches to the point where they are not accessible to locals. That being said, I was very skeptical about Intrepid actually being able to offer a “cultural exchange” type of travel experience. I was also not sure if a booming tourism sector would benefit Cuban locals or if it was something that they even wanted to begin with. 

The first takeaway from this course was that locals do in fact want a booming tourism sector. This is primarily because they think an increase in tourism will lead to a more profitable government and more money for local hosts. People-to-people travel has allowed Cubans to increase their living wage through the privatization of business and tips. Through this type of travel, you can directly see where your money is going. I remember staying at a Casa Particular in Cienfuegos with our host Lily. Her house was aesthetically nicer and bigger than those around her. This was because her husband sent back remittances from the United States, but she also made more money as a host. 

My second takeaway was that the tourism sector within a country must develop at a pace that locals are comfortable with and prepared for. As our tour guide Inti pointed out, he is hesitant to have Americans visit Cuba in the masses because he does not think Cuba is ready for them. According to him, Americans expect a certain level of detail that Cuban restaurant owners, hotel staff, etc. are not trained to cater to. This was incredibly honest and true. Although government owned hotels are rated five stars, they are considered three stars in comparison to the hotels in the “developed” world. 

My third takeaway is that local interaction and group dynamics make or break trips like these. When analyzing our overall travel experience with Intrepid, two common themes among all reviews were positive dynamics within travel groups and interactions with Cuban locals. They added value to itineraries and set Intrepid’s Hola Cuba travel experience apart from the rest. I will always remember all the times Inti woke us up by getting on the microphone and saying “wakey wakey”, Stuart’s salsa moves, and surprising Inti and Ariel with an anniversary cake in Trinidad. 

~Disconnect with Technology and Connect with Cuba~

~Disconnect with Technology and Connect with Cuba~
Cecily D'Amore

Our Cuba course taught us so many different things, both about tourism and Cuba. Some of my biggest takeaways from our trip come from my personal experience combining the two.   

 The first thing I learned from our Cuba course is the importance of “People to People travel.” Traveling to a foreign country has so much to offer, but in many cases we as tourists rather experience it from the outside. We travel to 5-star hotels on the beach and spend the entirety of trips within the walls of all-inclusive resorts. Our trip to Cuba placed such a strong emphasis on engaging with the local community. There is no better way to understand Cuba than by talking to locals. This trip gave us a plethora of opportunities to do so, whether through daily excursions or overnight stays in Casas Peliculares (essentially B&Bs). This form of travel exposes you to the realities of the country, and in our case gave us a very real look at Cuban life.

The second thing I learned from our Cuba course is that being without access to service or Wi-Fi isn’t just okay, but is rejuvenating. Using data would have been extremely expensive, and Wi-Fi was not only limited but also wasn't free. The process included purchasing a Wi-Fi card and finding a hotspot to activate it. I rarely did so, and it felt so good to be disconnected. I was able to truly just live in the reality of what was going on in my surroundings. I had no stress from home to attend to and had time to reflect on my experiences without any distractions. As a millennial, I have the tendency to constantly check social media on a repetitive cycle daily. Disconnecting brought me closer not only to myself but also to everyone/everything around me in Cuba.

The third thing I learned from our course is that Cuba is so much more than what I had ever known prior. I understand that it is difficult to make generalizations like such, but I feel that most Americans have this understanding of Cuba that has only been formed from political perspectives. The history that lies between our two countries is complex and full of tensions, but it should not be the only frame through which we view Cuba. The country has both lively cities and rural valleys, intriguing locals and enthusiastic tourists, historical sites and modern restaurants. The political background that underlies many Americans’ understanding of the country tends to overshadow the beauties that lie within Cuban culture.

For these reasons, I implore you to go to Cuba not as a tourist who will stay in a hotel with Wi-fi and only interact with your travel group and waiters. Disconnect from technology and connect with local Cubans and their way of life.

Honey Dipped Cigars

One of my favorite experiences in Cuba took place at the tobacco farm in Viñales. Our group hiked all the way up to a farmer’s home and place of work. Along the way, we witnessed incredible views and even ran into other tourists on horseback. 

Once there, we met a local farmer who was going to show us how he made cigars. I really enjoyed learning about the process of it all and how much hard work goes into making them. We also got to smoke a cigar and drink rum. The farmer told us to dip the tip of the cigar in honey and to then smoke it from that end. I don’t think I can ever smoke a cigar any other way. 

Although the hike was beautiful and learning about cigars was cool, my conversation with the farmer and tour guide towards the end of the tour made this experience one of a kind. The tour guide noticed that my shirt read “Revolucionarios: Latinos Rising”. I told him it was a T-shirt from GW’s Latinx Heritage Celebration in 2015. This prompted a discussion about the need for unity in Latin America and Latinx communities in the United States. 

The farmer asked me where I was from and when I said I was from Peru he said the current situation in Peru saddened him. He was referring to ex-President Humala facing corruption charges alongside his wife. I told him it frustrated me more than anything because it is the marginalized communities in a country that suffer the most when the government that is supposed to protect them contributes to their suffering in order to reap economic benefits. I also told them about how Peru’s elite class rules over the country and that those who hurt the most are indigenous, peasant and Afro-Latinx communities. When it comes to the Latinx living in the United States, I told them we are divided but also reassured them that at the same time, we are working together to make our communities stronger. When I was discussing these issues with them, they took everything I was saying to heart. I cannot really describe the feeling of solidarity but I knew I felt it when I was talking to them.

Cuba has a rich history as a revolutionary country. Like most things in this world, Cuba’s past, present, and future are not black and white. They are intricately grey. The farmer and tour guide felt relieved to know that Latinx youth living in the United States still resonate with the revolutionary spirit that incapsulates Latin America. I remember this experience and our tour of the tobacco farm vividly because of the interaction I had with the farmer and our tour guide. My time in Cuba and overall perspective of the trip are unique to what my peers experienced, excluding maybe Jonathan and Hazel. This is because I am Peruvian-American. I was able to connect with locals in another way. This is not to say my experience meant more than anyone else’s; however, I think it is important to note that the way in which I was experiencing things was in fact different because of my identity as a Latina. 

When marketing Hola Cuba, Intrepid should showcase the diversity of their American customers and our many backgrounds. The videos and photos they use both on their social media platforms and website should reflect all of the individuals traveling with an American passport. Since being back in D.C., I have told almost everyone I know to go to Cuba. I then recommend Intrepid because of how much it’s itinerary and staff contributed to an amazing people-to-people experience. Seeing and hearing what fellow Latinx travelers and individuals from a variety of backgrounds think of their time in Cuba would definitely add value to Intrepid’s marketing strategy. 

~Surprises in Trinidad~

~Surprises in Trinidad~

Cecily D'Amore 

My friend who will remain anonymous (@Liz G.) told me she thought something was wrong on the trip agenda because a friend told her we were supposed to go to Trinidad, the completely different country. Little did I know that not only was her friend wrong about the Trinidad we were going to, but that the one on our agenda would be such an amazing place. We spent two nights in Trinidad, and although the agenda did not necessarily go as planned it was still an amazing experience.

Trinidad is a popular town located on the southern side of Cuba, lined with cobblestone streets and historic buildings and labeled as an official UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of the activities on our agenda included a trip to a local multi-generation family pottery workshop, a nearby beach, an Afro Cuban Folkloric dance performance, and several museums in the town. All of these were great experiences, but what really stood out to me were the surprise elements of the trip that ended up making long-lasting memories. 

The first of these surprises came after dinner. We had a great meal at a local restaurant where we sat outside at one large table for the group and enjoyed live music. What we were not prepared for, though, was the downpour that came at the end of the meal. We ended up staying at the restaurant for about an hour after our meal ended trying to wait out the rain, but ultimately had to venture into the storm to head home. We waded through massive puddles in the cobblestone streets as a group. Although we ended up soaked and got home much later than expected, it was a great time spent with one another.

We also enjoyed little surprises at various other events. Our trip to the pottery workshop included a local drink in a specific cup made at the workshop, and also featured a gorgeous husky in the shop. The rain forced us to cancel an activity on our original agenda, but we sporadically ventured to several museums instead. At one of the museums we went to, we were even able to venture to the top and have a beautiful panoramic view of the town. We even spent our final night at club that was located in an underground cave, a feature I had certainly not anticipated in our time in Trinidad. 

 

My insights from this part of the trip not only point to the beauty of Trinidad and our experiences there holistically. I found that the little surprises thrown in at several points of our time in Trinidad truly made for an outstanding experience. I encourage future trips to feature such surprising highlights and keep visitors like me in awe with the stunning town and all it has to offer.

Hola Cuba! ~ My Lessons Learned

Hola Cuba! My Lessons Learned
by Ayla Coles

Get out of your comfort zone and get into the world. 

As someone who was born and raised in the United States (and used to the standard of living such an upbringing entails), our initial arrival in old Havana was quite a shock. After getting picked up by our taxi from the airport, our driver drove us through the city to eventually drop us off at the Casa Particulares we were staying at. At first glance, all I saw were the crumbling buildings and stray dogs patrolling the street. But as we got settled and familiar with the city, I began recognizing the deep and rich cultural history found in our surroundings. The buildings, although in disarray, were monuments of another era. Many of them had been converted into museums- showcasing the histories of previous owners, natural sciences, or Cuban history. The cars were a similar story.. their bright colors and antiquated styles had our group feeling like we’d been transported 50 years into the past. It took a little while to get comfortable, but once I got over my preconceived notions and ideas about how life in Cuba ‘should’ be, I was able to see it for what it was: beautiful, painful, deep, and rich.

Local Experiences are the best experiences!

Because our trip was curated by a tour company (and guided by the restrictions a US visa carries), we didn’t have much time to explore on our own. Therefore, it was crucial to interact with locals whenever the opportunity arose. Luckily, since we stayed in Casa Particulares, we were able to meet and hang out with local families that gave us unfiltered insights into everyday life in Cuba. Additionally, we visited a few cultural projects on our tour- one site in particular allowed us to meet and speak with one of Cuba’s most renowned artist- Lester Campa. While visiting Lester, we were able to ask him about his opinions of the world, his life in Cuba, and his political inspirations as an artist. It was experiences like these that really captured my interest and sparked my love for this complex but loving country. 

 

Our recent trip to Cuba offered me the opportunity to participate in a form of tourism that was new to me, cultural tourism. The Hola Cuba: Person to person for US Citizens is a multi-destination tour of Cuba offered by Intrepid Travel. Due to restrictions placed upon U.S. travelers by the State Department, we are not permitted to tour Cuba in the typical leisure style of which I am accustomed. This type of travel forced me to analyze why and how people travel and those aspects of a trip that can make the biggest impact on a customer’s experience. The first lesson I learned was that people who participate in cultural tourism are prepared to “rough it” to some degree. However, the experience Americans have can be greatly influenced by certain basic amenities that are expected when we travel within the States. Such amenities are hot water for showers, warm breakfast options, and access to the internet. The second lesson I learned is that breaks are important. The itinerary set for this trip had to meet the requirements for a person to person educational visa. The itinerary is museum and tour heavy leaving little time to recoup mentally and physically. One of the most highly rated experiences of the trip was an afternoon at the beach. This gave us the opportunity to kick our feet up, relax, and unwind. And the crazy part is that the only reason we went to the beach is because heavy rain forced the cancellation of a scheduled walking tour. Any company offering cultural tourism as a product should consider embedding periods of rest throughout the itinerary to prevent mental and physical exhaustion. The last lesson I learned regarding cultural tourism is how important it is to manage the expectations of the client in a group setting. There were several issues encountered on the tour that would have had little or no impact had they affected the entire group and not just one or two travelers. As stated before, there were certain amenities missing throughout the trip like the lack of hot water in certain lodgings. The effects of these issues on the travelers were compounded by the fact that their fellow travelers were not experiencing the same hardships. Companies like Intrepid who offer tours in a group setting need to focus on maintaining a consistent experience among all the travelers when planning their meals, lodging, and activities.