I’m off to Cuba in just a few hours. When people ask me about it, I’ve been telling them that I think it will be unlike any trip I’ve ever been on. But then I realized that I say that about every trip! And I think it’s because I make sure each trip is unlike any of the others. I hope to do that this time as well.

As with other adventures, I’m nervous. This one is unique in some ways because I’ll be completely disconnected. I haven’t experienced that since my Africa trip and those that know me can probably recall what happened during that time and how late I heard about it. So this makes me a little scared. I hope and pray that everyone I love stays safe and happy while I travel. Please…please…please…

This one is also different in that I’ll be part of a group tour for the whole time. Currently, this is the only legal way to travel to Cuba so I don’t have much choice but I’m pretty excited about it. It’s a rare opportunity when I leave all planning to someone else! I don’t have to do anything but show up and be open and have a freakin’ blast! I’ve been wary in the past of group tours but the entire point of this one is to expose me to the true culture of Cuba and its people. And after so much research on the tour and the group, I’m pretty confident that will happen.

Another thing I do before each adventure is set my intention(s) for the trip. Honestly, they’re usually the same. But it’s worth it, I think, to think about them and voice them and in this case, write them down. I’ve found that it makes me more accountable. So here goes.

• I’m going to be myself, not who I’m expected to be and maybe not who I’ve been in the past, but exactly who I am. And I’m going to own that.
• I’m going to be vulnerable – to others in the group and anyone I’m lucky enough to meet. I think that goes along with being your true self. Doing that is a vulnerable thing.
• I’m going to try to remain present. Even when things don’t go according to plan or I’m completely sweaty or sunburnt. I’m going to feel the burn and stay in the moment as much as I can. P.S. You all know I’ll be wearing SPF 70!
• I’m going to pay attention to the people I meet, the things I see and the experiences I have so that I can learn as much as possible while I’m there. I appreciate these crazy differences between my culture and others and I want to lean into that.
• I’m going to blog. Unfortunately I won’t be able to post on a timely basis as there’s no free Wi-Fi in Cuba. But writing about my experiences is kind of like a diary to me. It also makes me accountable for the decisions I make because I know that they’re going to be written down. Don’t be surprised if you see a post starting with “Dear Diary” 🙂
• I’m going to dance with abandon and a huge grin on my face. I’m going to try at least one Cuban cigar. I’m going to drink mojitos and local beer and local wine and rum. I’m going to swim in the ocean with the sharks and fishes.
• I’m going to wander – yes alone – but safely.

And I’m going to explore…and come back a different person for it. Stay tuned.