I have had the good fortune to visit Cuba over a period of 14 years, and am gradually coming to understand it better. In this blog I want to present my understanding of aspects of Cuban life and culture – including the changes in the past, those happening now and those which are to come. I say “my understanding” as each visitor to Cuba experiences things differently and and will interpret and understand their experiences in uniquely personal ways.

Among the topics I will focus on are its natural history, its pre-Colombian history, its Spanish colonial history, its political and economic relationship with the United States of America, its music, dance, religions and Cuban diaspora or diasporas. And, of course, tourism, and suggestions on how best to use your time in Cuba.

To put things in context and declare my biases, I am a white, 67 year old, left-leaning, well-educated, conservationist – a gay Australian man, happily partnered for the past 20 years. I have a doctorate in zoology and Master of Education in the teaching of English in Cuba. I was married for 13 years. and have a much-loved daughter and two granddaughters.

My relationship with Cuba began in Canada in 1991 when, on a Churchill Trust scholarship to study national park management, I met Pedro, a black Cuban. He had recently sought asylum in Canada on his way home from studying pedagogy in East Germany. He is now a Canadian citizen and has been able to return to visit his family in Cuba …. and it was his family with whom I stayed first in 2002 –  in Cayo Hueso, Central Havana, and in Los Arabos, Matanzas. We keep in touch and will remain like family.

I look forward to bringing to life for readers some of my understanding of Cuba, and intend to improve my writing and make this blog interesting and stimulating.

I welcome your feedback and suggestions for future posts.

Steve Smith

email: ssmundo06@yahoo.com.au