We often make assumptions about places from the things that we hear or from pictures that we see. These assumptions are only based on a small amount of evidence that prevents us from getting a full view of that place. This is how Cuba was to me before I went on this trip. It was a place that I have only heard stories about. However, I can now say that I have fully witnessed Cuba or, at least Havana, and have come to appreciate the country for being the gem it is. No country is perfect; however, once you really see Cuba for what it is, the culture of the place shines.

Most of my life has been spent in the United States, so I did not know what to expect when I got there. I expected a contrast; however, I was not ready for everything to be completely different. As I walked out of the airport, the honking of vintage cars echoed through the air. As I looked throughout the area, the landscape was completely different. There was a lot more open space and consideration for pedestrians. Once we got acquainted with the area, I realized that I was glad that I could witness all of Cuba, both the good and bad. Whenever people go to Cuba, they go to the tourist spots and the beaches. They never get to really experience the country for what it is. Tourists often are blinded to the whole gem that Cuba is. I know that I can say that I have fully experienced Cuba for all that it is. We were able to witness the luxury and the poverty. Both settings were filled with wonderful people.

There was no Cuba without the culture that was in every corner of the city of Havana. This culture was shown in the food that was prepared and the friendliness of the residents. The food was a lot fresher than anything I have had in the United States. The United States often pumps so many preservatives and GMOs to increase the food’s ability to be mass-produced and attractive, that they forget the taste of the actual food. Our hosts would serve us hand squeezed juice and fresh fruits every morning for breakfast. Everyone in the city of Havana, despite being in the conditions that are very different from what we live every day, was very friendly. The friendliness is shown in the music, and the way people greeted us. One can walk throughout the city alone and not really be afraid of much. There is always a taxi driver eager to take you somewhere or a local ready to help you. I really liked how music permeated throughout the streets. There was a range of classical music that gave you goosebumps to more upbeat music that made you want to dance to it. You could really tell that the people of the town of Havana were proud of their music and their country.

While in Cuba, we worked on the Cristo Project. The Cristo project has the goal of creating a rest stop for an area underneath The Christ of Havana. If you are taking the ferry to The Christ of Havana, you have to climb many steps which would make anyone tired. The Cristo Project served as a sort of rest stop and kiosk for people to take a break. There had already been plenty of progress made on the project before we got there. Our group’s job was to work on the electrical part of the rest stop. This involved created lighting and outlets throughout the area. Since I am in electrical engineering, I was excited to put my skills to the test. I did not know how different the process of setting up the electrical components was going to be from the United States. We were in a less than ideal situation, so the normal precautions that we take at home were not there.  For example, we would often lose track of the ground and power connections because both wires were the same color. This caused some of us to have to climb trees to figure out which line was which. Also, some of the workers would strip away the sleeve in the middle of the wire and attach another light to that exposed wiring. While I did have my concerns, I trusted that the people working with us knew exactly what they were doing. Through all of the complications, we got everything done and turned the power on. As the lights lit up and the electrical sockets started working, everyone’s face was full of smiles. The work that was done will help people for many years.

Overall, Havana and the people in it have a pride I have not seen anywhere. Despite not having the luxuries that we, as Americans, take for granted every day, they still find a way to put a smile on their faces for everyone that passes them. This makes the atmosphere feel quite safe and makes the city shine above all neighboring areas. I am really glad that I decided to take part in this global experience, and I enjoyed my time in Cuba, which I will never forget.

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P.S. We went to the Beach