Clearing Up Misconceptions

Prior to embarking on the trip to Cuba, I read many blogs and watched many vlogs about people who have visited the island nation. I spoke to acquaintances who’ve also been and heard through the grapevine about others who made the trek there and had gotten mixed reviews. The main thing I came to realize is that you have to take what people tell you with a grain of salt. Considering all the propaganda I grew up hearing and learning about Cuba and other countries (like my native Haiti) and their people, I learned early on to form my own opinions and to experience certain things for myself. You have to consider the source always. I am a firm believer that you can control the types of experiences you curate by having an open mind, being kind and having a positive outlook. I went on the trip having low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.

Misconception #1: “Cubans Don’t Like People From the U.S.”

This couldn’t be farthest from the truth. As my group and I walked through Havana during the day and at night, we were met with lots of people curious about where we were from. Once we told them that we were from the U.S., they would brighten up immediately. Some even mentioned how much they loved Obama and how much they didn’t like the “other guy” that came after him. Many still remember Obama’s visit to the country over 8 years ago in an attempt to extend an olive branch to the Cuban people. He was the first U.S. president in 90 years to step foot on Cuban soil. Relations between the two governments were strained due to an extensive history of conflict between the two (you can read up on Cuba/U.S. relations here). From the conversations I did have with people I would meet, they have no problems with Americans. It’s our government they don’t always agree with.

Misconception #2: “Cuba Isn’t Safe For Tourists!”

Again, so not true. I probably felt the safest there compared to other places I have visited in the U.S. Before I left for my trip, I joked with a friend (who was skeptical and worried about me going) that I would probably be safer there, in an unfamiliar place, than I was in Philly. Isn’t that a darn shame? Unlike PA, where gun laws are loose and everyone seems to be armed to the teeth, it is illegal for Cuban citizens to own firearms. Even though our group operated on the buddy system while we were there, I never felt unsafe. We were warned about potential pick-pocketing, which was never an issue. As long as you kept your head on a swivel and weren’t careless, there was nothing to worry about. I exercised the same amount of caution I would at home. Just don’t be naïve!!

Misconception #3: “Americans Aren’t Allowed to Go to Cuba.”

Another exaggeration. Don’t get me wrong, there was a point where it was more difficult for Americans to travel there. I remember back in the day when I was an undergrad student, there were only a few designations you could travel under. My former alma mater would host educational programs there for an exorbitant fee. Now, travel there isn’t as restricted and there are about 12 or 13 different designations you can choose from. You will also need to get a tourist visa, which you can obtain at the airport the day of your flight. My group chose “support for the Cuban people” as our reason for going there (go here for more information for what that entails). Essentially, travelling under this category allows Americans to travel to Cuba with the intention of having meaningful connection with the Cuban people and to support them directly. We couldn’t stay in or spend money in any government backed or owned businesses, hotels, restaurants, etc. I’ll delve more into that when I launch the travel section of the blog, where I’ll get into the nitty gritty of “do’s” and “don'ts”. Overall, I loved my time there. I only wish that I could’ve stayed a little longer.

Misconception #4: “The U.S. Embargo is to Blame for Widespread Poverty in Cuba”

The best way to respond when people make this blanket statement, laying all the blame on the U.S. for Cuba’s problems is to say “it’s complicated” and is much more nuanced than one would think. One can’t deny that any embargo imposed by a developed country onto a developing country can have a negative impact on it’s overall growth. When I spoke with some of the locals we encountered about how they viewed the U.S.’s role in some of the challenges they experience, most have acknowledged that the majority of their problems are homegrown. Many of the policies imposed on the people by their government could be seen as restrictive in one way or another. Communism is still a major part of Cuban life. Many of the people you see driving taxi’s, working in the restaurant industry, serving as tour guides also have advanced degrees. Many have to work a side hustle to make ends meet. The fact that a waiter relying mostly on tips can make more than a doctor there is extremely telling. Also, you have to keep in mind that they relied on Russia for many imported goods but due to the war in Ukraine, the supply chain was and still is negatively impacted. Just like everywhere in the world, inflation is giving everyone a run for their money, forcing Cubans to have to spend a whole lot more for basic necessities, causing them to have to ration items that are scarce. These are just a few of the barriers that Cubans face when it comes to continued development and prosperity of their people.

Misconception #5: “Cubans Aren’t Allowed to Leave Cuba.”

This is another fallacy. Though it can be difficult for everyday Cubans to get up and relocate, the major barrier they face is getting enough funds to secure their travel outside of the country. We met with a handful of folks who have never left the island and their reasons for not leaving were vast. One reason I heard constantly was that despite life being difficult for them at home, going into the unknown is too much of a gamble. For many, life in Cuba is all they know. Regardless of the struggles they may encounter on a daily basis, they still take great pride in their culture, in their way of life and have poured so much into cultivating their homes and lands. It’s not so easy to just walk away from it all.