Day 1

            Today was Part 1 of my trip to Cuba. I caught a 12:55PM flight from Philadelphia to Miami. The flight was fine and smooth. I landed at 3:30PM and was at the Miami International Airport Hotel by 4PM. This hotel was conveniently in the airport and didn’t involve me taking a shuttle anywhere off of the premises. This hotel is straight out of the 1960’s or rather straight out of an episode of the television show “Pan-Am.” It was very retro. The room itself was small, but alright. (I have all the basic nescessities). At first I didn’t think I had a window, but at closer examination, I did! It is very small and the view is of the rooftops of the terminal, but a window nonetheless!

            After my arrival at the hotel, I decided to go into Miami for a bit. I was going to go to Miami Beach or South Beach, but didn’t feel like taking a long cab ride and paying $30 each way. Instead, I took a 10 min cab ride to my favorite restaurant in Miami, Versailles, in Little Havana. I ordered the Ropa Vieja and a glass of red sangria and it was really awesome! (¡Fue incredible!) On the cab ride back to the hotel, my cab driver was Cuban and I’m pretty sure he came here 32 years ago during the Mariel Boatlift. I didn’t understand all that much of what he said in English, but it seemed like he had done something in Cuba (had a misunderstanding with a woman) and had to move to the United States. He was a nice man and loved all that America stood for. He especially liked the positive attitude that Americans have (American Dream perhaps?).             After he dropped me back off at the hotel, I went upstairs and relaxed. I went up to the rooftop restaurant and found an old baby grand Kawai piano that hadn’t been played in years. The host was gracious enough to let me play the instrument and I ended up playing for around 45 minutes.

            I’m really excited for tomorrow! In a little over 12 hours, I’ll be in Havana, Cuba…A place that I’ve wanted to go for a long time; the place where Buena Vista Social Club was born; the place that is forbidden to so many Americans; the place that has been untouched by American Capitalism for the past 50 years. I am so excited to see the beautiful sites, hear the beautiful music, and meet the Cuban people. I have a long list of places to go and people to meet. I only have a week and limited free time, but I’ll do the best that I can! I know I’ll have an amazing time. When I write in this blog again, I’ll be in Cuba!