Sol de Havana

Gunner

Love is a beautiful journey. It finds us in the moments we least expect. It is both a noun and a verb. It is an overwhelming feeling that consumes us and shapes our perception of the world.

Colors become brighter, desires grow stronger, and those corny romance songs finally make sense. I never expected to fall in love, but the heart wants what it wants.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a small, quiet town to grow up in, but my spirit longs to break free from the Blue Ridge Mountains and explore the world. I’ve attended enough pumpkin festivals to last a lifetime, and eating at the same old restaurants had grown tiresome years ago.

Dad owns a company that sells farming equipment worldwide and frequently travels. I had never been allowed to go with him before, but to my surprise, he asked me to go to Cuba with him.

I was so excited that I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I stayed up all night looking at photos of Havana and planning out what I wanted to do and see.

Dad told me I had to have an escort when we got there, and no matter how hard I tried to talk him out of it, he wouldn’t budge.

“It is not up for discussion. It’s a very different culture than we have here, and I need you to be on your best behavior, hear?” He scolded me.

I groaned and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

I’ll spare you the boring parts of packing, driving to the airport, etc.

Maybe it was a hopeful hunch, but something in me told me it was a trip I would never forget. I hadn’t had this feeling before, and I couldn’t ignore it.

I took a quick trip to the bathroom and adjusted my hair in the mirror. I knew that my blonde hair and blue eyes would stick out amongst the crowds, and I didn’t want to give anyone a reason to look at me sideways.

Dad gently tapped my shoulder. “Look out your window.”

I squinted as I looked down and saw the island growing closer. My excitement nearly caused me to jump from my seat, but I didn’t.

The palm trees proudly stood next to flagpoles that proudly displayed their red, white, and blue.

The fasten-your-seatbelt light came on, and I hurriedly buckled back in.

Well, that is it. We are officially descending into Cuba. See y’all real soon!