shade

He was a history major, shaggy light brown hair, and an awkward mustache- one that proved his age was young, but his soul was old. At 22 he was about to graduate college and go home to teach History. He was a world traveler excited to go on one last college trip. 

She was an elementary education major with long brown hair and brown eyes who spent her time enjoying the easiness of life.  She almost didn’t go on the trip but was warned about some guy named Fidel Castrol and his Communist government and the complexity of a US relationship that could easily prevent a future trip. So, at the very last minute she took out a loan, packed her bags, and because the trip was full, agreed to be the teacher’s roommate.

There the two stood in a beautiful hotel full of pictures and hand carved wooden tables and chairs. Just out the windows the aqua blue Caribbean seemed to almost dance. The cars parked outside the hotel marked a scene that’s straight out of the 1950’s- bright blue car bodies with white tops- and a unique design that truly takes one back in time. It’s not the scene of a movie production in process- it’s Havana, Cuba in 2003.  

The hotel served all kinds of delicious Cuban foods- ropa vieja, pollo asado, and the famously delicious Cuban sandwich, made with a large loaf of white french bread lathered with mustard, ham, pork, and melted swiss cheese with pickles. She ate the sandwich at every hotel. He, a vegetarian, was offered free black beans and rice. In a country that lacks a regular serving of meat it was inconceivable that one would choose to abstain.

Early in the morning the group lingered in the lobby while they waited for their bus. She needed to use the bathroom and asked him if he’d watch her bag. “I’d be much obliged,” he answered. She stopped, perplexed. Did this mean yes or no? Who talks like this? She decided he must mean, “yes” and left her bags.

They loaded the bus and headed towards the next location, a historic city named Trinidad known for it’s sugar cane farming and beautiful Spanish architecture. They were offered two choices for their next day adventure: to swim in the Caribbean or tour the city. She planned to swim. He was completely bewildered by this decision and responded, “Well I am touring the city.” 

Wanting to see what this mysterious guy was all about  she joined him in the city. He, being the passionate history teacher, enthusiastically taught her all about the history of Cuba while joyfully smoking a local Cohiba cigar. They were transplanted among beautifully painted buildings, antique white wrought iron fences, and authentic music around every corner. She became enamored with the tragically complex and beautiful country that he already loved. 

Together they’d spend hours on the warm beach drinking Cuban rum with Coke and smoking  cigars flavored with a trace of salty beach laughing hysterically as they watched the sun set and then rise again the next morning.