Why travel to Cuba?

In Denmark many people still raise an eyebrow when the conversation of holidays falls on Cuba. Issues like Communism, lack of freedom and poverty are draw-backs that still make spending your holiday on this Caribbean island a controversial issue.

At the same time, paradoxically, Cuba is becoming an increasingly popular place. Sandy shores, sunshine on a winter’s day and seducing music might have something to do with that. However, the main “attraction” to me was the Cubans themselves.

With their smiles, their hearts and their joie de vivre, I believe they have a story to tell and a lesson to teach.

In music, painting and other art forms, working with contrast is a well known way to draw the attention of the audience. And if you apply this method to social structure, Cuba is indeed the country to keep you on your toes.

Cuba is full of contrasts. The contrast between the regime that urges its people to avoid close contact with foreigners and at the same time invests heavily in its biggest money-maker - tourism, is as evident as it is hollow and hypocritical.

But the contrast between what the average Cubans have to make do with, and what they get out of it, is intriguing.

As a Cuban told me:

“We have very little in our life - but our life.
So we need to make the best of it.
If we don’t, then we really have nothing!”

So I set out to meet and learn more about a people who cope against the odds, who grow nobility on the rocks and keep a charming, passionate and welcoming smile through all the hardship.

I set out to find Cuba Linda.