Cuba For The Cult-Cha

How lucky am I to be whisked away to be apart of bae's dream vacay to Cuba :) Don't mind if I do!! I've been getting a lot of questions on my trip so i'll try to sum it all up in one post. This will prolly be a lengthy post esp due to pics but I'd like to think I'm pretty entertaining so it'll be well worth it. Let's seeeee where do I begin...

We got our visa's from Cuba Visa Services and yes it's for "people to people" which arrived in like 3 days-thank goodness cuz we got em last minute **eyeroll** As far as the monies, I went to a money exchange place in Alexandria and got Euro's then we converted to CUC's once we got to Cuba. I would recommend ur driver taking u to an exchange place OUTSIDE of the airport to avoid high azz fees and long lines. I wouldn't recommend using credit cards (i think a few places to eat n shops accepts them) and keep in mind the American dollar is worthless there.

Cuba is fairly inexpensive. The most you would need to budget for is taxi rides which on average was about $15-25 but we stayed in the middle of Old Havana so we pretty much walked everywhere. Speaking of stay, we enjoyed a really good Air BnB spot which was perfect within the location. Close and within walking distance were places to eat, the cigar factory, museums, hotels and the cruise ports were down the street. They docked overnight. Our host, Hector was really good and his niece fixed us breakfast every morning (5 cuc pp).

Stairway to Heaven

Views from the Balcony

Soon as we touched down we hit the town. The weather was HOT but not sweltering miserable hot. You can feel the energy in the air as you see the mix of tourists n locals around. There's music playing everywhere. We found a spot for lunch and deliberated on what to scratch off our "to do" list:

Mojito's-CHECK!!!

I don't even drink buuuut I knew I was looking forward to an authentic Mojito which they're so famously known for. It was sooooo good. The food was pretty good for the most part. Their "seasonings" are a tad different than here so don't look to find no Lawry's Season All sprinkled around lol. They mainly do sauces for flavor and the typical dish consists of rice (n beans), root veggies, cabbage, chicken, pork, shrimp or lobster. It wasn't until the end of the trip I remembered I never recalled a collard green on the menu!

The locals are excited for tourism and rightfully so lol. They are really helpful and willing to give you tips on where to go-hooooowever, just be aware that by saying your from America they instantly hear **cha-ching** You might find someone who directs you to their "favorite" spot to eat and say "it cost ju nothing" then start to call a taxi for u (knowing they not paying for it) to "help" u out. They mean well as they start off with some history of Cuba and what they think they know about certain places in America (which is mainly what the media portrays) but be smart and use your gut instinct. 

Wifi is something I know dmnnnn well we take for granted. We are so connected to hopping on n off to post on social media and to stay in touch with the world. Wifi is a rarity there and you can mainly find it around hotels. I chuckle as I watched teens finding a cozy spot around the building for some strong wifi pull. In the hotels you can find 5 hour wifi cards for about 10 CUC's. On the streets someone will try to sell you an hour for about 3 CUC's. 

My first impression upon arrival was how stuck in time they are. The vintage cars I loved tho. I appreciate the authenticity they have with their buildings but I can already see within the next 10 yrs it'll look different. They're already building new swanky hotels that'll cater to us and looking forward to tourism making them a hot spot to visit. 

I noticed a lot more people are starting to travel solo. I've always wanted to do so. Easier, less headache and you are more reliable than anyone when it's time to roll. I feel I could safely venture out solo in Cuba. Even at night. The party really gets going once the sun goes down and they get all the way liiiiiive!!! People are everywhere and you can see kids out playing pass curfew (toddlers have hella energy after 11p that's for sure), there's plenty of bars and clubs with live bands and my favorite after dinner snack was Cholo's found on the streets. 

Good Wifi Spot

There's plenty of great art work found, mainly in the streets but also museums around the city. They have stores that sell vinyl's and books (u know stuff that's obsolete here :7) Next up on my to do list was to find some Cuban cigars. Me thinking my spanish was on par kept asking for Cohiba's thinking it meant cigar in spanish :7 There was a cigar factory not too far from the house, however, I didn't find it cuz I couldn't really comprehend the directions :( So I found a plug at the nearby hotel who led me over the river n thru the woods to the connect **cue random trap music** 

  

#Authenticity

Again, folks on the streets will try to sell u some BS for a few CUC's but I was lucky enuff to find my plug and grab a box of 25 for 80. I went to the nearby cigar spot near the downtown area and they're priced at 325 (13 a stick). Had I researched these more BEFORE getting there I would've made more room to bring more back becuz there's no longer a limit. 

Aaaaaah The Beach!!! At first I had Varadero in mind but didn't want to be in the touristy spot nor did I wanna ride almost an hour to get there. I'm not that much of a beach bunny so we went to one that was closer called Santa Maria. 

For those interested in traveling to Cuba be open minded. The luxuries we are afforded here are not there. We stopped in local corner store n seen how little the shelves were stocked. They sell toilet paper by the singles. Ain't no rows of can goods on the shelves. I seen like 5 "stocked". It's a humbling and teachable moment to be amongst the people. Take time to listen to the locals (some of the english is broken but after awhile u can catch on n keep up) as they tell the difference of how Cuba was then and now. PAAAAACK LIGHT **Badu voice**and practical. During the day it gets hot, at night it's cooler (light jacket needed type cool). This is my first trip I've done carry on ONLY and I must say...it's the only way I prefer to travel now. I ended up having to check my bag anyway (at the gate) and it took forever for them to unload n toss on the carousel...like over an hour! One thing i did wish i packed was comfortable walking shoes. I am a flip flopper but even too much walking in those cause blisters n wreck havoc. Oh...toilet paper...I suggest packing a roll and carrying tissues as some un bano's (bathrooms) don't have any. Also, don't forget bug spray cuz those mosquitoes are ruthless!!

Water: We brought our own bottled water. The restaurants do of course only serve bottled water. The place where we stayed had a filter of some sort outside of the home which makes it safe to brush ur teeth and shower in. Although I did appreciate the hot water (i love scorching hot showers) the water was a tad hard for my skin but thank God I moisturize well afterwards. Nonetheless, stay hydrated as much as possible with all the walking and sun!

Quite sure this is the most i'll drink all year
from a non-drinker haha

I caught this little girl posing for the cam n reminded me of something my daughter would do

Overall, it was a great trip indeed! I'd love to go back and really get into some salsa dancing cuz they party HARD. If your on the fence of going...just do it. Scratch it off ur bucket list asap. I'd even take Mason next time around becuz there's plenty of kids around that play WITHOUT controllers in their hand which was refreshing to see. Laydeez...nevermind the cat calls lol like the typical construction worker type advances. They loooove voluptuous women!! I've even made a friend who keeps in touch for next time ;)

My 2017 is going phkn fabulous, how bout urs?? I had Cuba on my vision board and I can now cross it off thanx to my boys!! Where to next fellaz???? I'm down :)

Smooches 

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Wonder Woman

I made the decision last year to go back to school. I had been going on and off since about 99' and although I could've had a PhD by now, that's water under the bridge. Finances, excuses, fear and life hindered me from ever finishing. Last Fall semester I met this gorgeous young lady in Astronomy class name Saera. THANK GOD he sends angels throughout my school journey to help me out because she stayed on my azz every week. She asked me one day why I was coming back to school after a hiatus. I simply told her it's a personal challenge of mine. I am famous for starting and not finishing. I am a procrastinator. I also didn't want student loans hovering over my head for the rest of my life. 

One thing that did put a battery in my back was how cool she thought it was of me to be going back not becuz I had to but becuz I want to. You look at other countries of the world and men don't want women to be educated. Even looking closely at the stats here and being observant in the working world, u can see how women are underpaid and underestimated. But not to get into an I am woman hear me roar moment, my degree will be in general studies. To be quite honest even at 36 I haven't narrowed down EXACTLY what I want to do with it or where I'd want to switch careers to do. I am in a good place in my life now where everything is settling quite nice. I have plenty of support from family, friends and co-workers and where I'll be in another 10 years, I don't know.

My other battery in my back by default is Mason but I didn't notice it until after having a convo with my sister. She's been frustrated with school and finding it hard to stay motivated. She asked me my purpose in life or what drives me to do better. I am big on making sure Mason does well in school. We don't do peasantry grades in this household and I had to pause and make sure I set an example and practice what I preached. Everyone who knows me knows I HATE MAFF (math). I'm good at counting anything money related but the buck stops there-literally. I took on the challenge and utilized my engineers I work with who are definitely math whiz's!! This has not been easy for me. I've taken 3 classes a semester and have NO LIFE!!! I submerged myself in overtime when it came to Maff tho and I'm proud to say I PASSED WITH A B!!!!!! **twerks profusely** I've even sucked it up and decided to take my last maff class this summer (pray for me) because I am on target to be a 2018 graduate!! FINALLY!!!! I do it for myself. I do it to show my sister that although we have our opinions on the benefits or lack of that come from a college education WE CAN DO IT!! I do it for Mason so he can't ever tell me he can't. I do it becuz the impossible is possible when you put in that work to make it happen. There are people twice my age in my classes so I have no excuse. 

Wonder Woman Collection @alexandani

I figured it was very appropriate and well deserved to treat myself to the wonder woman bracelet especially since I got a 3.0 this semester **pops collar** and the next time we have this convo about school you'll be reading this as I pose in my cap n gown ;) I am into claiming, believing and receiving **raises hands in praise** The sense of accomplishment is priceless and one day i'll look back and say it was all worth it :)

Smooches

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Greatness is a Process

"We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it"
-Rick Warren

Fun Fact: I am a 3rd generation Washingtonian!! I've lived everywhere in DC except SW (i believe) and although I've grown to enjoy a more subtle less urban life; I haven't forgot where I came from. It's actually quite interesting as my memory is horrible yet childhood memories can be triggered by something as small as an old song or just looking back at pics. My parents graduated from Dunbar High which prolly been tore down and reconstructed 4 times over since the 80's. My roots start in DC, mostly Southern Ave. I lived there for 13 yrs. Ever since I left I've always had dreams of this place and wanted to go back. I used to pass by it and reminisce of my childhood here. I was being spontaneous one afternoon with Mason in the car and finally decided to stop there. It had been 22 years since walking those grounds and what once seemed so huge felt small. Like dmn did the neighborhood shrink? 

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots"
-Marcus Garvey

I parked right behind the building of where we lived. It's exactly how I remembered it besides a few updates around the windows (we had the crank method to open it vs sliding it) but I stood in the parking lot looking around and taking it all in. I was in the very spot where my mom's car was repeatedly broken into and vandalized. I was in the spot near the trash where someone was fatally shot. I was in the spot where I would race back in forth from one playground to the next with my friends. I was home! As I gave Mason a tour and marvaled at changes throughout the grounds, I opened the door to my building and walked up the steps...

Aaaah I remember when my mom fell up these steps holding my baby brother, Kash (lol) and as bad as I would've loved to knock on my old apartment door to walk through, I realized ummm...these aren't the days where celebrities knock on the door wit the camera crew talking bout "Oh hey I used to live here can I invade ur space and look around ur home to compare to the good ol' days-thanx" lol yea naw!! 

 

I really pondered on this post for a minute and archived it for a while (Sept to be exact n my hair has grown a lot since then yet cut all over again haha) but I guess speaking on where and how I grew up is personal. Like REALLY personal. Sometimes you can meet a person and judge them off what's in ur face or what they have now without truly knowing their background or what they've gone through to get to where they are today. We come through so many different walks of life yet nobody really talks about it-the good ol' days I guess. We are shaped from our childhood and upbringings. I try to teach Mason to be appreciative of what he has because our kids grow up with more luxuries than we did. He will never know what it's like to go without AC. He will never know how to live wit roaches. He will never know what it's like to eat cereal with water. He will never know what it's like to live in the hood which makes my job that much harder for him to learn street smarts. I look at these kids now and days who lack street smarts (common sense) that would be so lost in the world I grew up in. I officially feel like an old head watching my younger siblings and family grow up now. How unfair it is that kids won't know what it's like to drive a bucket **eye roll** I mean hell in 5 yrs, Mason will surely be driving and if I decide to pass down my car **pause to think** his first car will have all the bells n whistles >:< eeeehhhh lemme ponder on that...

So while visiting I found it so cute and innocent for Mason to see random kids playing and joining in. This kid makes friends anywhere. When I was growing up there wasn't many kids near my complex but when they slowly trickled in, I went outside by the swings and we all gravitated towards each other until the gang grew. I used to be so press to throw my book bag down n head straight outside. Other kids from other complexes always came to our side to hang wit us. My friends taught me how to ride a bike, hop out a swing, and double dutch. We hated rainy days but mainly retreated to loitering the hallways or somebody house. 

This post isn't a prelude to a book of my life but just to briefly give a glimpse of where I'm from. My life is far from where I used to be and I'm blessed to have better circumstances within my life and provide a better opportunity for Mason. Although I do have an air about me (a manner of behaving that conveys an impression) I am still an around the way girl ;)

smooches

 

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