Continued from yesterday: Inside Cuba in 2016: A lot can happen in 10 days.
MAY 29, 2020 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
On the other side of the Cancun International Airport was the José Martí International Airport in Havana Cuba. Having landed and made our way through customs, KT and I were initially standing in the wrong area. A Cuban gentleman on the same flight stepped in and directed us to the proper claim area where our luggage would actually be arriving. We thought this would be in moments and speculated there was a good possibility, it might not. About an hour in, we were just good with finally seeing the bags coming our way. Simple relief and gratitude. That could have gone a completely different way in any country.
The thought was to travel through several cities and see as much as possible before the “invasion”. Of course, there was nothing overall wrong with the influx of visitors, but I understood the general sentiment for many travelers was to explore before all things became too touristy. How meta or not meta of us. Still, the idea was to get there before the landscape and energy of the island country became all about the visitor and less about learning and enjoying what was to be shared with us. Notably, the tourism invites more economic opportunity in addition to good relations, so there’s also no need to dismiss what it enhances, especially in the fact of it creating safe, organized experiences as well. The struggle for balance is there like many sections of all our lives. We can ultimately do our best, leaning into the good relations and being cognizant of not participating in any exploitative, opportunistic ones. I think the most helpful aspect for me is remembering I am a guest, acting most accordingly while being mindful of my own best interests as well. I dare myself to try to get 100% of my actions right, following intuition, intelligence and curiosity and I also doubt this will ever happen. Still, why not aim high?
Cuba had already been greatly touched by tourism; we could see; hence we met some amazing European travelers. KT was also visiting from Europe. I was a random American in many instances, though I know there were many visiting. However, with me loosely based on 1 of my government’s 12 approved reasons for traveling there, I was not a part of any official group or of a particular profession. I think it proved a bit random because many of my introductions were met with a surprised smile.
When I look at tourism there, you really can’t fault travelers or locals for alternately affecting one another. The overarching takeaway could be the enthusiastic spirit in which we seek to share each other’s spaces and time.
As I wrote previously, I appreciate the organized tourist opportunities along with some spontaneous exploring. KT and I would prove to have some impromptu skills at getting to do both.
Update continues soon