In February I traveled to Cuba with my family to attend a quinceanera hosted by a Cuban family who we have become really close with. We stayed in the capital city of Havana, which is an interesting and very different capital city. Cuba, which is only 228 miles south of Miami, Florida, is what I call beautifully different. Every place I visited in Cuba was as if it was trapped in the past. From the architecture to the vehicles, everything seemed old – but everything also seemed important and valued. The country isn’t rich in possessions, but everyone takes pride in what they have.  Although everything isn’t automatic, machine operated, or runs on artificial intelligence, the jaw-dropping scenery makes up for it as do the very welcoming people on the island.

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Jordane Branch

It is tradition that the birthday girl rides on the back of the car followed by a procession.