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Saturday, October 2, 2010

¿Por Que Cuba?


Cuba: Jewel of the Caribbean. The island is well known for being a hub of creativity with its rich cultural roots, music, aromatic cigars, sugar, Cuban rum, beautiful beaches and hospitable people. Is that why I want to go, now, while Cuba still lives in the shadow cast by Castro?
No. Maybe. Partly. But the reasons are much more complicated. Cuba is unlike any other place on earth. What draws people to this fascinating Caribbean island is much more than beaches, sun, and cheap drinks, though there are plenty of all three for those who want them. Cuba is a land steeped in tradition, along with stunning natural beauty and unique architecture.
Its rich culture, unique political history, and continued economic hardship make it one of the most potentially eye-opening countries. Seeing the best of Cuba means grooving along to its intoxicating music, marveling at how Cubans improvise on a daily basis to make ends meet, and visiting a land in which the past 50 years seem to have crept by.
Cuba is the largest of the Caribbean islands and is inhabited by people with a mixed race of Caribbean, African and Spanish heritage. It has a contrasting landscape ranging from beautiful and mesmerizing beaches to sprawling and craggy mountain ranges. Limestone Mountains loom over the fields of tobacco, utilized for their famed cigars, providing a stunning scenic view. The natural beauty of Cuba and its history has shaped the country to what it is today. This is one Caribbean island that has been left unspoiled by technology and modern day living.
Then there is Cuban Art. Cuba's rich cultural and artistic heritage is a legacy of a turbulent history that has turned Cuba into the cultural melting pot that it is. Cuba was the first Communist state in the Western Hemisphere and remains one of the last standing bastions of Communism. Fidel Castro Ruz introduced Communism to Cuba in 1959 and remained the Head of Cuba until stepping down due to ill health in 2008.
The government places huge emphasis and value on the arts, so a large amount of funding is devoted to the development of arts programs. Through all this additional funding of the Arts, Cuba has produced major international figures in fine arts, music, theatre, dance and literature.
Cuban dance rhythms were originally transported from Africa with slaves and melded with Spanish and indigenous elements to create the unique sound of Cuba. This comprises of an array of integrating elements and shapes ranging from African, Hispanic and Haitian traditions to the most popular national music and dance of son, danzon, bolero, rumba (guaguanco, yambu and columbia) and the more commercialized salsa made popular for the tourists.
These are but a few of the things that make Cuba so alluring. I am so looking forward to experiencing what is available there!

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