[Studied from April 29-May 29, 2011: Cultura de Cuba y El Cine de Cuba a la universidad de holguín, Cuba]
To experience what I've experienced; studying in another country....I don't even know what words to use to describe the exact experiences as a whole.
When people ask, I always say "Amazing!" however; why do I still feel like that is such an understatement?
Nonetheless, I guess all I can say is that it was amazing + so much more because not only did I gain the education/that university credit, I gained an experience and first-hand knowledge of Cuba and its life-style, which not many can say the way I did. For that reason, I truly am grateful for everything, and especially to my parents for all their support which allowed me to do this (sidebar: Essay written to Mom & Dad for this trip: T DEFINITELY WELL WORTH IT). I guess all I can really say is that the experience was amazing + so much more, or...indescribable.
Things I will never forget (snippet of my trip);
1.Festival Romerías! Partying Sunday-Saturday the whole first week of May...which transpired to partying every single night throughout the trip.
2.Universidad de Holguin:
-Profesora Carolina (Her famous quotes: "QUE?!", "WHAT!?!" "Como, Alyssa?" in reference to how dark I am...meaning, "as dark as Alyssa?" haha)
-Profesor Lino - loved that cinema class more than I expected.
-Substitute Profesor Jose-Luis! beautiful...but sadly didn't sway my way..
3. Guardalava - All inclusive resort. 4 of us got lost as soon as we arrived because we strayed away from the group. Then another 4 of us got lost at night after going to the club ON the resort. So drunk, we thought we weren't even on the resort and didn't know how to get back to our area. Whole time...lost while we were on the damn resort thinking we weren't and trying to figure out how to get back. We never get lost in the city, yet for the one night we're on a resort, we're lost..twice: day & night (sober AND drunk).....what FOOLS we are.
4. Cubanos Amigos! Nestor, Dario, Jorhan & Ruben
5. Cubanos requesting that I be their novias during my stay in Cuba? (haha) We've got...Alejando, Alberto, Daniel, Manuel & Jordan. Not gunna lie, these Cubanos are suave.
6. Excursions to Santiago, Gibara, Mirador, Playas Esmerelda & Pescero, Native grounds thing...me olvide que lo se llama.
7.Major party nights at:
-Resort
-Club Santiago
-Nocturno!
-Siboney! That deliciously tasting chicken...on the dance floor.
-Bottle service, EVERYWHERE. Why? How? Oh...$5 bottles of Rum!
*Siboney was most def the fav. where everyone seemed to get real smashed.
8.Pre drinking en el parque calixto garcía
9.5 Peso pizza!
10. Pranking the boys: taking underwear, all products, putting pads with red lipstick all over room
11.Getting ready for the beach the next day...after the bar at 2am! Slept in my bikini + packed my bags drunk then rolled out of bed. THEN, by the end of the trip, somehow managed to convince 4 other people to get ready for the beach, and we all passed out in my room on our beds drunk after the bar...in bikinis. Woke up...thinking wtf?! and still a bit drunk.
12.Songs: Chupi chupi, vem dancar kuduro, un cachito, on the floor, alors on dans, loca
13.Despedida dinner in the dark with the profs (2 hours power outtage on our last night!)
14.Flip cup with our Profs
15. Car running out of gas going home from beach....when 4 of us have to be at the airport in one hour.
16.Room not opening when we finally get back to house & have to rush out and say bye :(
17.Food: Eggs, tomatoes, carrots, bread, platanos, rice, beans, spaghetti, mystery meat, ham, rabbit....,fish, pineapple, mango & REPEAR....lunch and dinner for one month.
18. THE LIST --things to be completed on the last day
19.When Tom tried to do some "Hardcore-pool-parkour" over the kiddie pool...AND slipped. Bahahahahaha!
20.When I fell of the hammock. Hahahahah
21.Dead cockroach being thrown at Diane by Tom for retaliation of prank wars.
22.Drama,gossip...of course. What else would 18 girls and only 2 guys do on a trip living together for a month? Nonetheless, good times.
23.Walking back and forth to Parque Calixto Garcia, my fav spot.
24. Celebrating May 24!!
25. TSSSSSSSSSSS! *whistle, "hey lady" "lub chu" "izz butiful"
I'm sure there's more I've missed...but for now those are the highlights that i can remember.
Here are some snapshots to put some of my memories into images:
¡VIVA CUBA!
Next stop: Spain & France in 17 days.
a.
Word to the adventurous travelers: Skip the resorts in Cuba. Yes, they are extraordinarily beautiful, however the party and livelihood is always in the city and definitely be in Holguin on a Friday or Saturday night. If you can, get there for Romerías (first week of May) because the party happens every single night at Parque Calixto García)
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