Travel Diary: Cuba

I just got back from Cuba and I miss it terribly already… I’d like to share some highlights of my trip with you!

Riding in Cars with Boys

I am going to confess that I became obsessed with the vintage convertibles in Cuba. Most people get one for an hour or so to tour the city. I got one three different times. Sometimes just to take me back home and sometimes for more lengthy adventures. The drivers were always so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. One driver assumed I was obsessed with Beyonce (accurate) so he kept offering to take me to the places she had been… I loved every minute of it.

Dress: Lane Bryant | Shoes: Amazon | Sunnies: Amazon

Visually, Cuba has it’s own special kind of beauty. Between the bright colors, the rich culture and the beautiful people Cuba is the type of country I could explore for weeks on end and never get bored. Add to it that stepping onto Cuban soil is like stepping into a time capsule where everything old is new again and it’s easy to get lost in your own world.

When you get to Cuba, what you bring with you is all you have. Your debit/credit cards don’t work, the U.S. dollar isn’t a thing. There’s spotty wifi in specific places so communication is minimal. I must say… I loved every minute of that. Without a cell phone to distract me, I was in the moment. I soaked in everything around me and I finished a book that I’d been meaning to read for a while. It was lovely.

We’ll Get There Fast, Then We’ll Take it Slow

It took me a full day to let go of my NYC pace and get on the Cuban clock. I physically felt my body slow down and it was wonderful. Walking through the streets with no real destination and no google maps to lead the way was so liberating. If I wanted to know a good place to eat nearby, I’d ask someone… or just wander around until I stumbled into a new adventure.

Dress: Melissa McCarthy | Clutch: Amazon | Sunnies: Porsche

Clutch: Amazon

Maybe it’s because I’m Nigerian and I’ve spent time in less than modern villages before, but I found comfort as I quickly and easily adopted a disconnected and more simple life in Cuba.

You don’t have to have a bunch of money/possessions to be rich.

I Love You!

Walking through the streets I’d hear people yell “America, I Love You!” from the locals. It happened a few times per day.

How beautiful it is for a country to be so welcoming to foreigners.

Head Scarf: Here | Harem Jumpsuit: AmazonSunnies: Amazon

 

Color Me Bad

I scooped up this dress at the San Jose market, it wasn’t a plus size dress, but I knew it would fit. When people ask me how my trip was, I can’t even put it into words, but this picture with my simple dress from the market all the vibrant colors is a close representation of how I felt the whole time.

Dress + Headscarf: Cuban Market Find |Shoes: Amazon

Watch: My Cuba Travel Vlog

https://youtu.be/_FnwTUPRLV0

I’m doing a Q&A on traveling to Cuba. Click Here to Read it and Add Your Questions!

87 thoughts on “Travel Diary: Cuba”

  1. Rosalyn Walters

    Can’t wait for Q&A. I’m so excited for my trip to Cuba in June. You look like you had an amazing time.

  2. rosalynw84@gmail.com

    Can’t wait for Q&A. I’m so excited for my trip to Cuba in June. You look like you had an amazing time.

  3. Klalle00 Personal

    Thanks for this. It solidifies I ain’t going. You lost me at no US money and lack of wi-fi saturation. But I felt I was watching the travel channel. Glad I watched.

  4. klalle00@yahoo.com

    Thanks for this. It solidifies I ain’t going. You lost me at no US money and lack of wi-fi saturation. But I felt I was watching the travel channel. Glad I watched.

  5. Um, can we talk about the fact that you scored a PINK CONVERTIBLE?!?! Looks like such a wonderful time, CeCe!

  6. brimai79@yahoo.com

    Um, can we talk about the fact that you scored a PINK CONVERTIBLE?!?! Looks like such a wonderful time, CeCe!

  7. All of this #blackgirljoy !!! So amazing !!! I cant wait for a bit more details. I want to go there for New Years and possibly re-visit for a meet up with my girls from Jamaica. I’d love to know more about the money situation and where you stayed.

  8. bellefanm82@aim.com

    All of this #blackgirljoy !!! So amazing !!! I cant wait for a bit more details. I want to go there for New Years and possibly re-visit for a meet up with my girls from Jamaica. I’d love to know more about the money situation and where you stayed.

  9. Danielle Salerno

    Wow! So excited for you! I’ve been wanting to go to Cuba ever since I was a little girl and my grandparents took me to see Guys & Dolls on Broadway LOL. The pictures look amazing, and I’m glad you had such a great time! I don’t have any particular questions, but can’t wait for your Q&A!

  10. xfildchild@yahoo.com

    Wow! So excited for you! I’ve been wanting to go to Cuba ever since I was a little girl and my grandparents took me to see Guys & Dolls on Broadway LOL. The pictures look amazing, and I’m glad you had such a great time! I don’t have any particular questions, but can’t wait for your Q&A!

  11. The trip looked amazing and all of you looked so happy and relaxed !! I’m so glad you had a wonderful time !!!!

  12. ssummers70@gmail.com

    The trip looked amazing and all of you looked so happy and relaxed !! I’m so glad you had a wonderful time !!!!

  13. I’m thinking of going in July (just worried about the heat/humidity). Did you end up going by yourself (I would be)? What cities did you go to? How did you book your accommodation – hotels? recommendations? Did you do any organised tours? Anything for the ‘absolutely must’ list? Did you do a beach?
    Some friends went last year and said it turned out to be a cheap trip. Sightseeing fantastic but nothing to buy. They said the people seemed very rich in spirit but poor in possessions.

  14. debrasmailbox@gmail.com

    I’m thinking of going in July (just worried about the heat/humidity). Did you end up going by yourself (I would be)? What cities did you go to? How did you book your accommodation – hotels? recommendations? Did you do any organised tours? Anything for the ‘absolutely must’ list? Did you do a beach?Some friends went last year and said it turned out to be a cheap trip. Sightseeing fantastic but nothing to buy. They said the people seemed very rich in spirit but poor in possessions.

  15. Possibly going in October with a group of four friends and I wanna look cute… Did most of your outfits come from your closet or did you leave a lot of room to buy locally?

  16. keg2138@utsnyc.edu

    Possibly going in October with a group of four friends and I wanna look cute… Did most of your outfits come from your closet or did you leave a lot of room to buy locally?

  17. Shamieka Kirksey

    Hi CeCe! What lovely photos! I love the headwrap with the Hareem jumpsuit. Do you remember were you got the headwrap from? Thanks!

  18. shamieka_k@yahoo.com

    Hi CeCe! What lovely photos! I love the headwrap with the Hareem jumpsuit. Do you remember were you got the headwrap from? Thanks!

  19. Hey Cici! I’m dying to go to Cuba! Where did you stay? Is there a must go restaurant? And i don’t mean the most trendy, i mean the best food…hahaha I’m loving your photos! 🙂

  20. mari.almeida@gmail.com

    Hey Cici! I’m dying to go to Cuba! Where did you stay? Is there a must go restaurant? And i don’t mean the most trendy, i mean the best food…hahaha I’m loving your photos! 🙂

  21. Hi Cici i just want to say how inspirational you have been to soooo many women all over the world! I am truely happy to call u my cousin keep doing what u do best and inspire people. You have helped me love myself again!! I thank you for that!! ❤❤

  22. nitchelletate@gmail.com

    Hi Cici i just want to say how inspirational you have been to soooo many women all over the world! I am truely happy to call u my cousin keep doing what u do best and inspire people. You have helped me love myself again!! I thank you for that!! ❤❤

  23. Hi Cece, OMG! I am planning to travel there in the future. You said no debt cards or American $. Where did u exchange? Where did u stay? How about communication? What were the best and challenging issues? How long was the flight? I am inspired ????

  24. magmar1014@aol.com

    Hi Cece, OMG! I am planning to travel there in the future. You said no debt cards or American $. Where did u exchange? Where did u stay? How about communication? What were the best and challenging issues? How long was the flight? I am inspired ????

  25. A) you look amazing! B) I am soooo interested in going to Cuba! I knew someone who went when I was in college (so, almost cough, 20 years ago, cough) and it has always intrigued me.

  26. cmgraziano@gmail.com

    A) you look amazing! B) I am soooo interested in going to Cuba! I knew someone who went when I was in college (so, almost cough, 20 years ago, cough) and it has always intrigued me.

  27. Oh my goodness! You look amazing in first the blue striped dress, and then just as amazing in the tie dyed one! I just keep staring at those pictures!! Wow!!

  28. cecilygthompson@gmail.com

    Oh my goodness! You look amazing in first the blue striped dress, and then just as amazing in the tie dyed one! I just keep staring at those pictures!! Wow!!

  29. Katherine Rivera

    So I don’t mean to be Debbie downer, but as a 1/2 Cuban I have mixed feelings about your trip as my family had to flee their home country due to fear of widespread reprisals after the communist takeover. Tourism financially assists the Cuban communist regimen staying in place and continue to limit Cuban’s freedom. Cuban’s can not leave Cuba and don’t share any of the freedoms offered to the tourist that visit the island.

      1. Katherine Rivera

        So you while I love you as my friend most Cubans will not feel the same and may not be as polite as I’ve been

  30. kathriv@yahoo.com

    So I don’t mean to be Debbie downer, but as a 1/2 Cuban I have mixed feelings about your trip as my family had to flee their home country due to fear of widespread reprisals after the communist takeover. Tourism financially assists the Cuban communist regimen staying in place and continue to limit Cuban’s freedom. Cuban’s can not leave Cuba and don’t share any of the freedoms offered to the tourist that visit the island.

      1. kathriv@yahoo.com

        So you while I love you as my friend most Cubans will not feel the same and may not be as polite as I’ve been

  31. Kimberly Jordan

    Hi Cece! I’m going for Easter weekend. Can you please share what packed for the trip and how things went at the airport. I heard it’s mandatory to have travel insurance to enter Cuba. Was this enforced when you got there? Were items expensive there and was it more convenient to use CUC or CUP when you exchanged US dollars? Sorry if I’m asking so many questions. I’m so excited to visit but I’m nervous about forgetting important things.

  32. kjordan0916@yahoo.com

    Hi Cece! I’m going for Easter weekend. Can you please share what packed for the trip and how things went at the airport. I heard it’s mandatory to have travel insurance to enter Cuba. Was this enforced when you got there? Were items expensive there and was it more convenient to use CUC or CUP when you exchanged US dollars? Sorry if I’m asking so many questions. I’m so excited to visit but I’m nervous about forgetting important things.

  33. Combine with a necklace and lace dresses with sleeves makes me feel really good.The reunion went perfectly after that. Thanks for your article wise suggestions and I highly recommend you to try this dress out as well!

  34. sunianlovelife@gmail.com

    Combine with a necklace and lace dresses with sleeves makes me feel really good.The reunion went perfectly after that. Thanks for your article wise suggestions and I highly recommend you to try this dress out as well!

  35. That was an amazing account!! I loved your outfit depictions as well! Please do a recap of the places you visited next time!

  36. hnsfields@gmail.com

    That was an amazing account!! I loved your outfit depictions as well! Please do a recap of the places you visited next time!

  37. Would you say Cuba is child friendly? I’m planning on going this summer with my 9 and 14 year old.

    Also how did you go about booking your villa?

    Thank you!

  38. mdm8876@yahoo.com

    Would you say Cuba is child friendly? I’m planning on going this summer with my 9 and 14 year old.
    Also how did you go about booking your villa?

    Thank you!

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