My Reflection

By Anna Tripp

Overall, this experience was very humbling. Being born in a third world country and having lived there for a few years has already helped me gain a large appreciation for all we have in America. However, Cuba gave me another level of appreciation. I could never imagine living off rations and having little to no freedom. THIS is what separates the world from Cuba. Cubans are appreciative for the little rations they do get. They are grateful for the little freedom they do have. Additionally, Cubans are unable to get new machines for farming, etc. So yes, I was impressed by the classic American cars, the rustic beauty of Havana, and the love for salsa music, but I was much more impressed with the resourcefulness of the Cubans.

A classic American car filled with the Cuban driver and tourists.

In America, we have an insane amount of stores were we can easily go to and buy whatever we need. We don’t have to wait a year for it to arrive and we really don’t need to think too much about it. Cubans, however, are constantly thinking of new ways to use what resources they do have, to create something they absolutely need. Sadly, I feel we have lost this resourceful way of thinking.

Using cut-up soda and beer cans as planting pots at a local farm in Artemisa, Cuba. It is hard to find planting pots so the owners needed to find another way to create these “pots.”