Cuba!

Let's ignore the fact that I've been a horrible blogger recently...

Moving on to more exciting things:  Cuba pictures!  Follow the link to see some of our adventures - be warned, this is only a fraction of pictures taken between 6 people!  To see more photos, check out Dan & Linds' blog or Jorge & Linda's blog.

We had a wonderful trip.  Heartbreaking, fun, adventurous, heartwarming, joyful, exciting...to name a few emotions that cross my mind from the trip.  We met dad's family & I can't believe we might never have known these wonderful people (two of his older cousins from his mom's side & their families).  When we first met them, you would never have known we were in a different country, speaking two different languages, & never met before (or seen each other in 48 years, as is the case with Jorge & his two cousins).  Without a doubt, it was obvious we were family.

I hope we can keep our Cuba connection alive.  Someday, I hope we can make our way back to that lovely little island, especially to visit family.  It's true they're repressed, but they are very strong people & they appear to be very happy people.  They may not have much, but they're clean, friendly, & simply make do with what they have.  I won't go into a political discussion, but I hope, not-so-secretly, they don't become an over-commercialized island with a Walmart, McDonald's, & Holiday Inn on every corner.  Not that it will happen if the embargo is lifted, but right now, it's a beautiful place to visit & take a step back in time to a more low-key, relaxed, day-to-day way of life.  If only we could learn to live so simply.