Since we returned from Cuba I’ve posted some amazing photos, but have yet to really talk about my experience. Typically I’m non-stop chatter after a trip so close friends have asked me if it was because I didn’t have a good trip. That wasn’t the case at all. Quite the opposite really. I had an amazing trip, but it wasn’t what you would think it would be and before I talked about it I wanted to make sure I found the right words to do Cuba- and it’s people justice.

Havana was a surreal experience. I distinctly remember sitting at a more locals spot waterfront bar, listening to the live music and soaking up the atmosphere thinking holy sh*t, I’m in Cuba.

I’m not sure why this one got me. It could’ve been because this was a place that, as a child, I knew I could never go see legally and there for stored it in my book of impossible things that would never actually happen. Regardless, I was sitting in Cuba.

Cuba is truly a step back in time. You won’t find a Starbucks or a McDonalds anywhere, you won’t find the latest and greatest tech, you’ll simply find a moment when time stopped.

When you look at travel bloggers photos across the internet you see a similar theme. Cuban people mixing with the bloggers and Instagram sensations smoking cigars, drinking rum, and smiling. Since we’ve returned from our Cuba cruise I’ve started noticing something else in all these photos. The same people. The same people posing in these photos across all the different blogs. The same people I too have photos of.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with this. We were very free with our CUC on this trip. This is a way for Cubans to make money in the tourist market and we were all for the support for the Cuban people. They were all lovely people and the photos are fabulous, But those smiling happy photos with everyone all dressed up are only a fraction of Cuba.

We met those lovely people in what’s called “old Havana” which is essentially the tourist area for Havana. Everything you imagine when you think of Cuba can be found here. Markets, Cuban cigar and rum stores, restaurants, classic cars lined up awaiting their next fare, street vendors and entertainment. Here all the photos you see of Cuba spring to life.

But I wanted to see the other side of Cuba; as well as the Hemingway house, and so we when we were approached by a local offering a classic car ride and sightseeing I had to jump on it. We negotiated a less predesigned tour with the guide and stepped into the back seat of a blue 1953 Bel-Air off to see the few things left on my list in our short time, and, the other side of Cuba. ( After we took a couple of fun photos!)

“New Havana” as they call it; means that essentially it was built anywhere from 1950 on. This is where people live, work, and play. This is where the buses run and you see people lined up like you do to get in the big-name clubs in the states.

This is where you find the animals running around with mange and half starved eating from trash lying along the ground. This is where you see the real economical state the Cuban people are in.

However sad that may seem, hidden amongst all this you’ll find little gems as well.

But when you talk to the Cuban people you hear hope, you see the determination in their eyes and feel their sad past. It is both humbling and inspiring to listen to them talk about their lives.

Cuba is still considered a 3rd world country. And frequently when we see those vibrant photos of Cuba and it’s people we forget that this is still a country in repair and in a state of healing. There’s still animosity towards Americans from some, but overall Cuba is an extremely welcoming country and I can’t wait to return again and explore some more.

What was your experience in Cuba? Leave a comment and tell us all about it!

Happy Wandering!