January 5, 2003

Dear Mom:

...The Cubans take great care with their craft, be it cigars or perfume or fine art. Check out this perfume store – it had a decadent apothecary-like appeal; the walls were lined with rich dark wood shelving where bottles upon bottles of perfume were on display. The magic was performed in a primitive chemistry lab hidden behind the scenes.

Perhaps my most poignant memory in Cuba was New Years’ Eve. We spent the night in Cuban-style, at home with Alex’s close friends and family. Packed like happy sardines in a small living room (about 125 sf), 11 adults and 2 children danced the night away. We ate the traditional Cuban fare of pork rice & beans, and salad. At midnight, we toasted with faux champagne. We mocked the propaganda on the Cuban television that honored the Revolution. We talked of dreams and hopes. And when we departed with the other guests that evening, what remained was a family spanning three generations - all of whom lived in this tiny and typical Cuban dwelling. A group of people, that - despite their tough circumstances - chose to find simple joy among family and friends...

Love, Anne