Cuba

Imagine a place where the sun feels like a warm hug on your skin and the water sparkles in the most beautiful shades of blue. Can you hear that. It’s the sound of happy music floating on the breeze, mixing with the gentle rumble of colorful old cars driving down streets made of smooth, grey stones. I stretch out long and green in the warm Caribbean Sea, and some people say I look just like a sleepy crocodile basking in the sun. I am a place of rhythm, sunshine, and stories. Hello. I am the island of Cuba.

My story began a long, long time ago with my first friends, the Taíno people. They lived peacefully, fishing in my bright waters and growing yummy foods in my rich soil. Then, one day, on October 28th, 1492, a man named Christopher Columbus arrived on a big ship. He looked around at my tall palm trees and sandy beaches and said I was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. Soon, more people came from a country called Spain. They built big, beautiful cities with grand squares and strong forts, like my lovely city of Havana. They also brought people all the way from Africa to work on my land. It was a sad time for many, but something wonderful grew from it. The music and stories of the African people mixed with the Spanish and Taíno traditions. Together, they created something brand new and exciting, like the salsa music that makes everyone want to get up and dance. Many years later, a kind man and poet named José Martí dreamed of me being a free and happy home for all my people, and his dream helped me become who I am today.

Today, my heart beats with a rhythm you can feel. It’s in the music that spills out of doorways and makes your feet want to tap along. It’s in the sweet taste of the sugar cane that grows in my fields. My people are strong and clever. They can fix anything, and they keep my beautiful old cars running like new. They are full of a creative spirit that shines brightly in their art, their songs, and their smiles. I love to share my warmth and my stories with everyone who visits. My culture is a gift, a sunny invitation to the whole world to feel my rhythm, taste my sweetness, and know that you are always welcome here.