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Cuba…Cuba what have you done to my heart? This time I'm telling you about Cuba in a more romantic way:

I like it because people touch each other, hug each other, and there's a general closeness among people

Latin people have a different concept of personal space and Cubans, as is their custom, take it to the extreme. Men hug each other and greet each other with kisses on the cheek, female friends walk hand in hand. All this to say that Cubans are not afraid to touch each other – your leg when telling a story, your back while trying to pass you in the lobby, your shoulder while asking: "how is your family?" Cubans greet you and ask how you are? even if they don't know you. They fill elevators to maximum capacity and I always delight in watching a mixed Cuban-foreigner crowd board for the ensuing embarrassment. In other countries the embarrassment is mine every time I enter an almost full elevator without even making eye contact.

 People help each other: the sense of community is so strong and deep-rooted, people always help each other in every situation, if your car breaks down there's always someone who stops with you, if you ask for information, if you're missing something they share what they have!

The kiss, hello, goodbye, always smile and cuidate! A kiss on the right cheek is the traditional Cuban greeting, no matter if you know each other or not. Even the farewell of large groups translates into a kiss to the crowd. I think we should start this trend northward. Our world could only get better with more kisses, right? They smile, always even when things don't go as they should and in the end even if we've just met in Cuba they tell you "cuidate"! Take care of yourself!

 Eating everywhere: in Cuba spending a few pesos whether it's a cajita (a cardboard box with delicious rice, beans and pork) in front of the CUJAE or a knife and fork seated at El Ranchón. Or in any small family-run restaurant.

 Fun under the sun: I was born and raised in northern climates. I certainly loved sledding and ice skating and snowball fights as a child – I still am actually – but the bulky clothing, the cold and the humidity that soaks me every time... I like the light clothes you always wear in Cuba in every season, walking in the sun and smelling the sea or freshly cut grass even in December.

Drink, dance and be merry: Bucanero or Cristal beer, mojito or cuba libre, a good cigar, I dance even though I don't know how to dance, I'm happy even with little and Cuba taught me this.