Cuba: An Overview of Bloggable Topics

Topics:

• Making friends
• the Cubanos who made my trip
• learning how to dance
• Solo exploration; feeling safe
• negotiating meaning
• feeling at-home -- familiarity and nuance: Cuba both reminding me of the Philippines and offering the fresh experiences that I crave after being stuck in a rut for so long
• feeling deliriously happy
• african drumming
• learning to distinguish between reggaeton, reggae, cuban jazz, salsa, rumba, afro-cuban music...
• building bridges across language barriers - finding commonalities in music, dance, culture, and sports
• gratitude and humility -- a Filpina/American reminded of the realities of economics, materialism, and the importance of friends and family
• Music, music, music
• hot weather and reading... being outside and chillin' water-side
• vices - mojitos, cervezas, cigarros, and cigarillos
• meeting 20-somethings from all over the world
• sleeping late, waking up early, and taking frequent naps anywhere and everywhere
• saving and spending money
• multiple daily espressos that meet my approval 
• things to pack while day traveling: a hat, small bills, handkerchief, pen and notebook, camera, water bottle, toilet paper, map, book, musical instrument, bag of mixed nuts, sunglasses
• not wanting to hide behind a camera; bringing a pen and small notebook everywhere, instead
• running into new friends on the street
• reading up on the political and cultural history of Cuba prior to arriving; learning and unlearning about the politics and culture of Cuba through conversations and visits
• the diversity of Cuba -- feelings of solidarity, welcome, and uniqueness
• español de Cuba
• meeting foreigners from all over the world
• getting caught in lightening storms
• chivalry
• learning about Cuban politics from new friends in a dance club
• pride in representing my heritage
• bittersweetness; hopes for keeping in touch and future reunions despite bad odds