It is no wonder that I love to travel. If I had the means, I would gladly set out on four adventures a year, discovering new corners of the world and taking small breaths of elsewhere with every season. For now, until I have both the resources and the freedom to travel as I wish, I content myself with the occasional sparse and sporadic escapes I can afford.
In 2025, I barely travelled. I only went to Ivory Coast, in West Africa, from June 6 to 10, where I attended a conference. I was delighted to be there, and I truly enjoyed every moment I had. Yet the days were full, and I never found the time to explore the country, meet its beautiful people, or indulge in its cuisine. As soon as the conference ended, I flew straight back to Canada. Never again… is my promise to myself. When I travel for work in the future, I will make sure to take a few days off to truly discover the place I’m in.
Fortunately, 2026 is off to a far better start. I began the year with a marvelous trip to Cuba, a welcome escape from Ottawa’s cold streets. I left on Monday, January 5, landed in Holguín at 8:00 p.m., and greeted by warm air and the soft hum of evening life on the island.
The drive from the airport to the Playa Pesquero Resort took about an hour, aboard an Air Transat bus provided for guests who had purchased the package. When we arrived, we were welcomed with a tropical cocktail, which was to me an inviting prelude to the days ahead.
After checking in, grabbing a bite to eat, finding my room (2210), and taking care of a few small administrative errands, I suddenly realized it was already 10:00 p.m., time for bed, and time to let my mind wander about the adventure that was set to begin the next morning.
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES: The People, the Places, and the Pride
Cuba never fails to move me. I am always amazed not only by its natural beauty but also by the extraordinary resilience and warmth of its beautiful people. Despite all the struggles they are going through (prolonged power outages, economic hardship shaped by decades of embargo, and foreign-imposed isolation because of their determination to chart their own path, etc.), Cubans consistently place humanity at the center of daily life. Their friendliness is not diminished by hardship; if anything, it is strengthened by it. I absolutely love them.
The island itself is striking. Green, clean, and breathtaking at every turn. Cuba offers visitors a rare gift: beauty that is both natural and human. This was my second visit to Cuba, and once again, it reminded me of my home country, Haiti. The similarities are unmistakable: island life shaped by struggle and beauty, a deep and bold historical legacy, and a population whose resilience commands respect. Everything in Cuba invites you to be in love with it.
During my stay in January 2026, I participated in two organized excursions. The first was a historical tour of Santiago de Cuba, where I visited key national landmarks.
I visited Fidel Castro’s tomb and birthplace, admired José Marti’s monument, and immersed myself in stories that shaped the nation.
I returned to the resort exhausted, but transformed: my mind enriched, my heart heavy and grateful all at once.
The second excursion, a Jeep Safari through a remote part of Holguín, offered a different kind of experience. We met local farmers, watched a cultural performance by local communities, and ended the day with a fantastic horse-riding activity.
The tour offered me a rare and unforgettable glimpse into everyday life outside tourist centers.
A small but meaningful detail stood out during my stay: my daily exchange with the woman who cleaned my room. Though we never met, we communicated through small gestures left behind and carefully arranged towel designs in return.
Each day, she would leave a beautiful creation to say thank you for the small gifts I would leave for her in the room. These simple interactions added a personal and human dimension to my time at the resort.
Cuba has captured my heart completely. It now sits firmly among the top three countries I love most right after Haiti and Canada. Were it possible for foreigners to own property in Cuba, I would already have claimed a small studio, which would become my winter refuge.
The only notable downside of my stay was the food. As a Haitian, I cherish bold, flavorful cuisine, and sadly, Cuban food was bland. Even boiled yucca lacked soul. I survived the week mostly on omelets and bread. That said, food was not the focus of my trip, so I will stop complaining.
Overall, this was a restorative week spent under the sun and beside the ocean. As someone born on an island, I crave the scent, the force, the beauty, and the breeze of the ocean. Until my next journey, I will hold Cuba close in memory. I only hope that next time, I won’t travel alone. Some pleasures deserve to be shared. Gatineau, February 10, 2026