Leaving my country of birth was never on my plans as a child, but following my parent’s desire for a better life for us was. I was born and raised in a tiny fishing town surrounded by clear blue water; a town where the colorful houses were build out of wood. This little place named Cojimar was also a favorite of a very famous writer who we took in as one of our own: “Ernest Hemingway.” Today Cojimar is visited by most of the tourists that go to Havana, Cuba. As a child, I had the chance of a lifetime to look at the sea every time I opened my eyes and breathe a clean but salty air every single day, without realizing that I was taking for granted those moments that are so precious to me today.
Twenty-two years had passed without me having the opportunity to go back, but as expected, the day to return arrived and with it all my past memories. This past 9th of April, I went back to visit for nine days that beautiful island of mine. Yes…it is damaged and in desperate need of everything, but the warmth, kindness and humility of the people there is still intact, at least for most of the population. To my surprise, I was recognized by a lot of people who still remembered my face and exactly who I was. I was greeted with a love impossible to fake. I received no shortage of kisses and hugs from those that were once part of my life and that I feel still are.
I visited the house I spent my youth at and of course, our famous “Malecon,” where we spent most of the dark nights playing with at least 30 other teens when there was not electricity to light up the town. I also had the chance to absorb all the fresh air possible and of course cry like a baby when I couldn’t recognize some of the places that were supposed to be familiar to me, due to both to the new construction and destruction of many parts of Cuba.
Overall, I was able to reawaken all those memories I had and didn’t even remember they existed. It was a sweet and sour trip that left me wanting more and I loved it.
