Author: Courtney Brooks

I have now been back in the United States for two weeks. Some days I wake up and am still shocked to be in my bed at home and other days it feels like a dream that I went at all. I have never been in a country for so long and understood so little of what happens there.

The student that had originally invited us on the bus burst into a very impressive rendition of a popular Reggaeton song. At this point the girl sitting next to me began doing the “ola,” similar to the American “wave” but with some variation.

As a visitor to this country I can say that I am perfectly fine with Cuban families building sand castles on the beach. Having police cars honk at me and officers make advances in the street is what actually bothers me.

Cubans grow up appreciating art, literature, films, music and shows because their parents appreciate them and are able to expose their children to them at an early age. These things have become elitist in the United States because only the wealthy can afford to enjoy them.