With the outbreak of the swine flu, I, like many other travelers, have been re-routed from Mexico to another tropical destination. There was only one option available at relatively the same cost as my already-paid for trip – Cuba.
Initially, I was hesitant with the vacation switch-up. I had heard varying stories from someone-who-knew-someone-who-went-to-Cuba; from rave reviews of the country and its people to warnings of theft and poverty. Suggestions of ‘bring your own food’ seemed to come from every direction which silently equated to losing space in my luggage for that extra pair of strappy sandals.
These issues aside, it wasn’t the concern of water contamination nor the possible language barrier that had me fearful. It was the insects (namely, CRs – an acronym I have given to a certain creepy bug; see Disney’s Wall-E for further reference).
It took several years of discussion before I finally worked up the courage to plan the trip to Mexico. As someone who can’t read, hear or speak the actual words that the letters CR represent, it’s not surprising to know that even “La Cucharacha”, a stereotypical mariachi band song, has been known to send me into a fear-induced tailspin. Recently, I had reached a peaceful place of denial that they didn’t really exist in Mexico… but Cuba? I hadn’t made it that far in my ignorant belief system yet.
Then, as the travel plans were confirmed, I took a deep breath and made a decision to close my ears and open my mind.
Having thought about the negative feedback I had been given, I realized that I can find these very same issues here in Canada. Poverty? Sad, but true. Theft? A daily occurrence. Water Contamination? Why else would there be ‘boil water advisories’? Language Barriers? Of course, we are a multi-cultural nation after all. Insects? As much as I hate to admit it, yes, we have CRs here too.
As travelers, we need to look beyond the unpaved roads of commerce and the lack of convenience that we have grown accustomed to, otherwise is there really any purpose for exploring our planet? To open ourselves up to a world of experience and culture means that each of us has a greater understanding of what it means to live.
Instead of heading into this vacation with worries and expectations, I have decided to accept whatever comes my way… even if it’s crawling across the ground.