I became interested in Cuba when I started reading more books and watching less TV. It was in a magazine that I first saw an article about the US/Cuba Exchange project. I finally decided to talk to the coordinator of the project. At first, I thought I was just going on a vacation, but I was interested because I really wanted to go to Cuba.
She gave me a questionnaire with some unusual questions. Why do you want to attend this conference? I was perplexed when I read the word ‘conference’ and said to myself, “Oh, we’re actually going to learn something?�
I answered, “Cuba is one of the most, if not the most, controversial countries (and strongest in ideology) in political history. I wanted to help preserve the Latino culture here in the US; I would use the opportunity of visiting Cuba to investigate the mindset of the local people. Given the opportunity, I would apply myself to learning the history, dreams, and desires of the local population. I wanted a greater insight into the nature of the Cuban people, and upon my return, I wanted to foster a greater sensitivity to the Cuban struggle in the US.�
When I met the rest of my comrades the day of the trip, I realized that we all shared the same vision. We left for Habana on July 22, 2001 from NY to Miami. In Miami we met with the rest of our delegation.
On July 22, we were welcomed at Echevarria Center for Special Events and Broadcast on National Television. For those of us there for the first time, the aura of the Cuban people was enchanting. Everyday was a different adventure. Our days began as early as 8 am and never seemed to end. We visited the Latin American School of Medicine, the Abraham Lincoln memorial, and the command post of the city of Matanzas. In addition to participating in five educational conferences on world issues, we also, visited Santa Clara, Che’s memorial, participated in the July 26th march, performed volunteer work in the country, visited the art school, and of course went to the beach.
Cuba is beautiful. Their scientific center is highly advanced, the literacy rate is high, and their life span is among the longest in the world. Everywhere we went, people greeted us with joy, carrying Cuban and US flags everywhere. Some of us were asked to bring donations, but after being there, I left feeling that the best thing that I could do would be to return and educate others of the triumphs and challenges of the Cuban people.
One of my most memorable experiences was the day Fidel Castro opened a forum when addressing us in the convention palace. He opened his speech by telling the audience that he was tired, and he was wearing running shoes because everyone always had him running around.
A YCL member from Miami said to Fidel, “I have been humiliated, kicked out of work, I have taken punches and hard beatings in the defense of the revolution.� Before he could finish his sentence he was interrupted by Fidel, who smiled and replied with a chuckle, “Oye chico, so why don’t you stay and consider taking boxing training in Cuba, we’re very good at that.� Fidel turned out to be a joker.
If given the opportunity, I will definitely go again and would love to see all the great people that I have stayed in contact with since the trip. Thanks to everyone that made our trip so wonderful. I would like to invite everyone to join us in visiting one of the most genuine places you could ever visit. Hasta La Victoria Siempre!
Lissette Acosta participated in the 2001 US Cuba Youth Exchange as part of the Youth United Delegation.
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