Epicuriosity

Monday May 31st

Today we flew back to the US. But before we headed to the airport we FINALLY got to see the ocean! We saw lots of sea urchin so I couldn’t walk around in the water, but at least I got to dangle my feet in it.

My aunt showed me sea snails that stick on the coral. Sometimes she comes to the shore and gathers up the larger ones to cook. I helped her gather some up, but these weren’t for her dinner, they were to feed the cats that randomly wander onto her balcony. It’s common for people to keep all the doors and windows open in hopes to get a breeze so occasionally something might wander in. People can barely afford to feed themselves much less their pets or stray animals.

We headed to the airport. Let me just say that as much as I despise long lines, it’s ten times worse when there are no lines, or organization at all. Just people pushing to the front and you have to stand your ground. Passport control was a breeze once we finally got through the pile of people. I guess since we have a US passport and we are so white they figure we’re not trying to escape illegally.
Security on the other hand questioned my handmade bamboo gift that my aunt made for us. Never mind the glass bottles in my carry on bag, I was going to hijack the plane with a piece of bamboo!! As security started calling more and more people to analyze the threat level of my “weapon” I started crying. I couldn’t bear the thought of them taking away a priceless gift that my aunt made me, who I just met for the first time and that could have used that bamboo to make something to sell and maybe have money for food. Oh I was heartbroken at the thought of them confiscating it.. But I guess all my crying made them finally realize I wasn’t a tough terrorist that was going to bash someone’s head in with bamboo. If they had taken it away from me I might still be in Cuba. Detained for causing a ruckus at the airport.
My little brother and his mom picked us up at the Miami airport and we went out for sushi. A real salad, a cup of soup and fish! ahhhh! Anything besides farm animals and Cuban food sounded yummy to us!
After having the best shower ever, we snuggled in an over fluffy bed with extra pillows and fell fast asleep.
As I write this we are on the plane heading home. The trip and experience was more than we ever hoped for. I’m sad that it will be at least a year before we see my Cuban family again. But the thought of pajamas, the sofa, kitties and our memory foam mattress topper makes me a little happy. Te amo Cuba! Te amo mi familia! I love you.