My summer vacation of 2014 was one of the best summers I have had in a long time. I was able to spend two weeks in the Republic of Cuba and the rest of the summer in Puerto Rico, my home. I was in Cuba for two weeks taking advantage of a wonderful opportunity provided by the University of Tampa (UT), a travel course based around the History of Cuba, the Life and Work of José Martí, the Cuban national figure, and the Cuban Revolution; and how all of this has affected the relationship between Cuba and the United States.

A group of nine students from UT, including myself, alongside two UT professors were able to base ourselves at the Centro de Estudios Martianos (CEM -- Center for José Martí Studies) where we were lectured for 10 days about the wonderful history of Cuba, the genius work of José Martí, and the Cuban Revolution. While at the CEM, Dr. Pedro Pablo Rodríguez, Dra. María Caridad Pacheco, MSC Renio Díaz Triana, Dr. Ibrahim Hidalgo, and MSC Alejandro Perdomo, with support from our tour guide for the two weeks, William, and our UT professors, helped all of us successfully dive into the wondrous points in Cuban history. Because of this travel course, I was able to fall in love with the literary works of the Cuban Apostle, José Martí, such as "A Vindication of Cuba", "The Truth About the United States", "The Montecristi Manifesto", "Simple Verses" (Versos Sencillos) and so much more! Through these works I was able to see the Cuban War of Independence -- a.k.a. the Spanish American War, as we learn in our history courses -- from the perspective of Cuba and the political, economic, and social injustices that the Cuban people have endured due to the imperialistic policies of the United States in the early to mid-20th century such as the Platt Amendment, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which were all combated by the Cuban Revolution of 1959.

In order to enhance our experience in Cuba from just an academic one to a true experience in Cuba, we were given valuable free time within our itinerary to explore areas such as el Vedado, Old Havana, and Miramar during week days, which was when we stayed in Havana. During the weekends, we were able to experience more of the island when we went on excursions to places such as Viñales, with its vast and luscious mountains, and Varadero, where we laid on the most beautiful beaches with white sand and clear water. With this free time that was provided, I was able to have a different experience as my peers. I would stop to talk to people frequently and most people would ask us where we are from and my peers would say that they're from different states within the U.S., but I would say that I was from Puerto Rico and every time I said I was from P.R., I was received very well by the people -- as were my peers! However, the people that we introduced ourselves to would shake my hand, give me a hug, and call me "hermano" (brother) and joyfully state "Eres de la Isla del Encanto" ("You're from the Island of Enchantment - P.R.) or "La Tierra de Marc Anthony" (The Land of Marc Anthony)! -- they are big fans Marc Anthony's music. It was truly a beautiful experience for me to be so well received by a people and a country that shares so much history with mine. When I would express to people my surprise to how well I was received, they would respond by saying "Of course! Why not? We share the same flag!" And every time that the Cuban people would say these types of things, I would get very emotional. Not just because of the wonderful things they would say to me, but also for my island. How Cuba, an island in the Caribbean, was able to fight against the imperial policies of the United States and achieve full sovereignty, but Puerto Rico had been taken by the US after the Spanish-American War and had succumbed to a colonial system that we still experience to this day.

Nevertheless, my experience in Cuba was an amazingly beautiful one that was full of studious days, fun nights, adventurous weekends, and wonderful people around me to enjoy it with. Looking to the future, I can't help but think that this is a wonderful time to be able to experience Cuba and Puerto Rico. Cuba and the United States have begun a process of normalizing relations, and Cuba might be opening its doors to wider commercialization and foreign investment. Puerto Rico has also been at a crossroads for a while now regarding its own political, economic, and social crises, which will hopefully get solved soon. This is truly an interesting era for both countries. I hope that one day my path will lead me back to Cuba, so I can relive those two weeks and experience so much more of the island. I also hope that one day Puerto Rico will be able to enjoy its own sovereignty and a truly democratic form of governance. Summer 2014 was one of the most fulfilling few months of my young life.

"Cuba and Puerto Rico are, of one bird, its two wings."
Lola Rodríguez de Tió