Cuba - 1

On our sailing from Miami to Havana, we had times of education on current culture and what to expect.  Each session was valuable as this island has been off limits to most of us in US.  Their government embraced Communism and hated our country and its freedoms.  They partnered with the Soviets and it was a dual enemy for the US.   An island so very close to us, 90 miles from Key West and we are worlds apart.

Last week I was part of a historic moment in relations between the US and Cuba.  I was on the first cruise from Miami to Cuba in over 50 years.  A voyage had been made earlier in May with the press but ours was the first with 'regular' people.

A wow!  A blessing!  An eye opener!  I found my self excited with anticipation as we sailed into Havana!  As I shared in my first Sixty Six blog this trip was not even on my bucket list in January.  The doors to come on this trip flew open with such speed and thrust that we knew it was to be.

The reactions of people as I tell or share this adventure with, are two fold.  One of awe and desiring to hear what it was like.  The second is one of why would you go and put money into the Castro's pockets when they suppress their people?   I understand and get both of these emotions and reactions.  Both are valid and there are more questions of why that could and should be asked.

I am a story teller.  I love to recount what I have seen and where I have been.  I love being exposed to the world, the world of people who need to have their stories told for they have no voice.  I do not have a broad reading base so perhaps these recounts are for me alone.  I am blessed like few I know to be able to experience so many things.

Over the next few blogs I will un-pack 'my' journey and tell my stories.  Those traveling with me have their own stories but if we were to put the puzzle pieces of each of our stories together it would be one amazing picture.

I loved our ship Captain.  He was so excited to be part of this historic trip.  The very loud ships whistle blew and blew as we entered each port. They were blasts of celebration.  He shared with us incredible historic information as we passed forts and Tall Ships and a very huge special yacht who ported just ahead of us.  He continued to remind us of how very significant and wonderful this trip was.  His excitement was contagious and delightful.  He loved what he was about to embark upon!

Captain and his wife are the bookends.  New friends the Rosenberg's share this hard to get photo.

People seeing us come into the port were waving and shouting greetings to us. Passengers in small boats in the water waved.  This was true in each port.  This ship seemed to represent hope for these oppressed people.  The people on the streets too greeted us, praising America.  This saddened me for as they desired freedom, our direction seems to be sliding toward socialism, the very thing they want to rid them selves of.  The irony was a lot to absorb.    I won't go too political within my blog but I will tell the stories of those who live under this regime.

Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro

As I begin this Memorial Day in our country and recount my time in Cuba I can say that I more than grateful for the freedoms we have just now.  We must guard them for they can be lost.