Being a woman in America seems to be different than being a woman in Cuba. I just returned from Santiago de Cuba, which is in the Southern tip of Cuba. Yesterday we went to Heredia Theater in order to see a private dance performance. The dancers are amongst the best in the world and performed traditional Afro-Cubano dance complete with costumes and live musicians. For the first time I was able to realize the difference between dance as entertainment and dance as art, and the dance we saw yesterday was the highest form of art.
Anyway, this whole experience made me think about women in Cuban culture and how they seem to be so much more comfortable in their bodies. Or they understand that they are sexual creatures but it is their own decision to express their sexuality how they see fit and with whom they see fit. They’re not afraid to move sensually because of what someone might think, and no one judges them for it. I feel like this is something many women in the US lack. Perhaps its cultural, in the US women are constantly bombarded with information about how to look sexy and different things that will “make your man go crazy” it’s all about pleasing a man instead of pleasing yourself, by dressing in a way that you feel sexy in, or moving in a way that is pleasing to you. Women in Cuba just seem to own their bodies and regard it as something precious, I think that is a huge difference than the women in the US.
Santiago is much different than Habana. Although it’s the second largest city in Cuba it feels more rural, more helter skelter, and poorer. At the same time though there seems to be a greater sense of revolutionary pride, I suppose it makes sense since Santiago is the “cradle of the revolution.” We visited the Moncada army barracks, where los Revolucionarios made their first attempt to instigate the uprising. Now part of it is a school and the other part is a museum, still ridden with bullet holes. It was a moving experience being there, imaging the spirit and courage it would take to try to take over a military barrack when you’re under armed and undermanned. In the end 23 of the guerrillas were captured, tortured, and killed and Fidel was sent to prison, then exiled (during his time in exile he would meet Che Guevara).
Lets see what else did we do? We climbed up to the top of the biggest rock in the world called “La gran piedra.” It’s in the Sierra Maestra mountain range and apparently from the top, on clear days you’re able to see Jamaica and Haiti. Naturally, once we got to the top it was so cloudy we could hardly see 10 feet in front of you. We also visited the Cathedral that holds “La Virgín de Cobre” which is the patron saint of Cuba and saw José Martí’s mausoleum. We got there right in time to see the changing of the guards, which was a technical military affair, but we weren’t allowed to walk around the cemetery to see the graves of other revolutionaries because some of the people who are on this trip suck.
The more I write and the more I photograph I realize that nothing will be able to capture Cuba. It is a country where all five senses are vital and maybe even that mysterious 6th one is necessary too. The smells, the sounds, the sights, the textures, and that feeling you get deep down in your gut, they all work together to make Cuba what it is. So I try to write to you, explaining what I’ve seen but it never feels right, and suddenly I’m understanding why when I’ve asked others who have traveled to Cuba what it’s like they don’t really have the words for it.
More soon hopefully, this week we start the terrible process of registering for classes which will apparently bring us to tears so wish me luck. Much love, I miss you all. Viva Cuba.

ps. you will all be disappointed to learn that the food here has left me uninspired. Everything is fried fried fried and is either over salted or very bland. A few days ago we got to eat pizza and it was the most exciting meal we've had during our entire time here. There are these yummy things I like called croquettes though that are fried mashed up rice and they're pretty tasty, but besides that it's been a big disapointment. If there's anything well all talk about missing in the US its the food. Even Cubans long for something new!