I hardly know anything
This isn’t something new, but it is a fact that I am constantly relearning and understanding. This truth is something that drives my sense of curiosity and impels me to always be learning. My mother has often teased me for never being able to get out of the academic mentality of always absorbing information.
I have amazing friends and family members
Again, something I already knew, but something that I am ever grateful for.
I am incredibly lucky to have been born where and when I was.
Having worked on women’s issues in other countries and knowing about women’s situations around the world, I feel so fortunate to have the opportunities that I have and with this, comes a sense of responsibility. One of my friend’s mothers told her, before leaving to work abroad: “Never forget that you are an ambassador for women.” No pressure though…
Air pollution gives me a headache.
This city, like many others, seems to have a huge air pollution problem, stemming from the old cars that drive around, idle and backfire all the time. The smog that settles over the downtown core of cities causes so many health problems that go unnoticed and these issues don’t seem to be a main priority for politicians. Yet, simple solutions like adding greenery decreases airborne particulates and certain plants are known to absorb and retain noxious gases, thereby decreasing urban air pollution by a noticeable amount.
Staying outside in the heat of the day is ridiculous.
I’m so Canadian… I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to such incredible heat and humidity. It makes me lethargic and removes any feeling of wanting to do something productive.
Sometimes, when you’re least expecting it, you may cross paths with someone amazing that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Sometimes in the most unexpected places, when the universe comes together in a series of arbitrary events, you connect with incredible people that you may never have met. I’ve realized over the past few years that I continue to meet the most interesting people while I travel and that due to our similar nomadic, erratic courses through life, I may not see them again for a long time, if ever. This seems bittersweet to me, as I am always happy to know that such great people exist, but sad to think that our paths may not cross again.
My shyness can still get the better of me.
There still exists in me that timid little girl who sometimes just wants to hide behind her mom’s skirt.
Photographing makes me happy.
I am well aware that I am not anything close to a professional photographer, but something about capturing beautiful moments, objects or people takes me out of my head and gives me a sense of calm.
Boys don’t always understand the vulnerability of being a girl
Last night, I realized that no matter how aware boys are, they don’t necessarily understand what it’s like to be a girl. I had gone downtown to watch the sunset and the out for dinner with the boys. I was thinking of heading home as they were talking about staying out, when I realized that I didn’t feel comfortable walking back alone. When I mentioned this to them, they were both surprised that I felt like that. Granted this city is relatively safe, but taking a maquina and then walking down dark streets alone didn’t seem like the smartest idea. Boys. Pfft.
Being a girl can be a good thing.
The other night, after ten minutes of the boys trying to hail us a ride to get us home from La Rampa and failing, I stepped onto the street and hailed a car that immediately agreed to take us to our location for the regular price, as opposed to the inflated tourist price that the boys had been given for the past ten minutes.
No expectations are better than low expectations.
This mainly comes down to having an open mind and not really planning ahead that much.
I am not interested in specializing in one species.
I was recently given the opportunity to go work in Hawaii, studying humpback whales through the University. It was an unpaid position, which helped my decision making, but the experience still made me realize that studying one creature wasn’t appealing to me.
Sunsets are one of my favourite things. Top twenty for sure.
Cubans like sugar. It’s not a stereotype.
Several experiences and observations over the past two weeks have given me enough of a sample size to say that yes, Cubans like sugar. A lot of it. Somewhat of a culture shock moment when our friend added 4 heaping spoonfuls of sugar to less than 250ml of tea.
In every country, there is inequality.
The moon always seems brighter in Latin American countries.
Spanish speakers have trouble understanding you if you make seemingly small mistakes like changing an “a” for an “o”. Or if like me, you can’t roll your r’s and sound like a French person…
Quote from our friend C “Metrosexuals exist in every country!”
This came up after a discussion about waxing versus shaving.
This city has very little light pollution.
I’ve never been in such a big city that had so little light pollution at night that you can clearly see all but the dimmest stars.
Cuba is expensive.
Even paying for many things in moneda nacional, we’ve already spent way more that we expected. Rent is equivalent to what we would pay in Montreal. Slash, I haven’t actually had to pay rent in a very long time, so this is really cutting into my rum budget ;)
There may only be one way to skin a cat, but there many ways to prepare rice and beans!
Rum is priced similarly to water.
Salsa dancing is a tremendous amount of fun, even not knowing how.
Also, it takes me exactly 3 ¼ beers to be comfortable enough to let a friend teach me how to salsa and to allow myself to be led. Also, it’s hard to dance and laugh really hard at the same time. Laughing at oneself is clave (key)!
Guys here have a mandatory two years in the army.
This was news to me.
It’s never too hot for hot chocolate.
There’s a place in la Habana vieja called Museo de Chocolate (not actually a museum) that serves hot chocolate, made from real Cuban cocoa and mixed with cinnamon and vanilla. It costs $0.50 for a decently sized mug. The place is also air-conditioned. It is officially my second favourite place in Havana. First place goes to my fourth floor balcony where I can simultaneously watch the sunset, watch boys play volleyball in the park and drink a Bucanero (beer).
Music from friends is the best going away present.
I had the fortune of having one of my good friends give me 7 or 8 GBs of music before I left. On that note, there’s nothing like some golden oldies to make people smile.
Lady Gaga is cross-cultural.
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