Times are a changing

The last time I was in Cuba was almost ten years ago and what I remember from my time there is so different that what I am experiencing now. Ten years ago I saw the Cuba of my dreams. I saw the Cuba that Che gave his life for. I saw the Cuba I read about when I was fourteen, the Cuba that inspired me to believe that another way was possible. Today I see glimpses of that Cuba in the possibility for education, for the access to doctors and in the ability to have a home. But today I am also able to see the complexities of daily life, the frustrations of dreams differed, the harshness of poverty and the necessity of change. What change do I speak of? I am not sure because it is not for me to decide. The change must come from the Cuban people, from their desires, their needs and their way of life. They must be the creators of their own system, a system that will work for their values, their expectations and their hopes.

As the Cuban people walk towards their moment of truth there are many things I hope they do not forget along their journey. Small things I have noticed since I have been here that I think speak volumes to who they are as a people.

Don’t forget to share your rice with your neighbors when you have too much and they have too little.

Don’t forget when your on a crowded bus, the people that have the privilege to be sitting down must continue to offer to hold people’s bags/purses that are in the unlucky position to be standing.

Don’t forget to keep the collective taxis.

Don’t forget there is no need to throw things away …it doesn’t matter how old it is it can always be fixed!

Don’t forget the importance of sending your doctors to countries that are in more need than you.

Don’t forget how to be creative.

Don’t forget that education and health care are a right for all and not a privilege for a few.

p

Viva la Revolucion!

This Sunday I will be leaving to Cuba! Excited does not give justice to my feelings of going to Cuba. The last time I was there was almost ten years ago with one of the most amazing projects I have ever been a part of, THE SOL PROJECT.

The Sol Project was the first ever cultural exchange with kids from the USA and Cuba since the embargo began. We brought twelve American kids ages 8-13 to live and work with twelve Cuban kids for a month. During this month the kids wrote and performed an original full length play that was presented to over 1,500 Cubans at the National Theater. Along with the kids each country had ten mentors, ages 20-25, that created, directed and ran the Sol Project. At the age of twenty one I was one of these mentors. To try and describe what I experienced during that month is impossible because it was simply too great, too amazing, too inspiring...it was life altering.

I truly believe the only reason I am was able to direct Entre Nos is because of what I experienced and created in Cuba during Sol Project. One of my most vivid memories is when the play began. I was sitting in the audience and I was a nervous wreck. I couldn't stop moving my legs. I kept looking around the audience amazed that one thousand five hundred people had come to see our work. The lights came down in the audience and I held my breath. Lights up on stage and the magic began. The kids were phenomenal!!!! My eyes were filled with tears of joy and pride...and then I had the simplest but most empowering thought....I said to myself "If I was able direct and create this play I can direct & create anything." And just like that, a thousand doors opened up in my mind, just like that any fear and insecurities I had disappeared...and just like that I started the journey that would eventually lead me to Entre Nos.

So ten years later I am going back to Havana...back to the national theater...back to where it all began.

Hasta la victoria siempre...
paola