Member Reflections

Cuba 2002

This being my first trip to Cuba has held many different impressions for me. At the same time I am so distressed at the poverty of the people, I am in awe of the dignity inherent in so many. There is a great love of country that I have not experienced before despite the hardship and a determination to overcome. Hopefully I will be able to return someday and delight in the music and the simple goodness of the people. I appreciate being able to travel as a member of SANS and will treasure my days in Cuba.

Habana is still beautiful. Its rival city (Santiago) comes in not even a close second, but my warm and lasting impression of that city will be of many people there with whom I made friends and who I will begin a "pen pal" relationship with.

If words could express the gratitude that I have in my heart for this unforgettable experience I would say it; but there aren't any words that can describe my experience on this enlightening journey. This has been a most rewarding experience that has had a profound change in both my heart and soul. I've visited one of my heritage and am grateful to have helped a possible descendant in the line of "Lopez" although there is no direct link to my immediate family. My visit with the "Lopez" family in Santiago was a heartfelt and moving experience.

Cuban baseball game felt much like a summer evening at Fenway Park- soft warm air, green grass again & red clay, peanuts and beer… Sharing hotel with visiting Cienfuegos team made one feel the difference however. Players in Cuba are "Regular Joses", not superstars isolated from society by wealth and status. A player in uniform came out of the stadium with his wife and child walking among the crowd. Salaries $150-$350 pesos/month ($6-15/month) plus a player needs a second job to sponsor his salary of $350 pesos. The catcher got 100 pesos extra as a butcher. 9 pesos/month traveling money (30 cents U.S.) It’s a sport, not a big business (entertainment) venture.

Outstanding experience…dream come true.