An island nation located where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet, Cuba is made up of the island of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud and 4,195 other islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island.

Cuba is well known for its vibrant culture, colorful cities, rolling landscapes and tasty cuisine. It’s also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Havana and its fortifications, Trinidad and Valle de Los Ingenios, Viñales Valley and the historic center of Cienfuegos.

Cuba is known as the “Sugar Bowl of the World,” as it used to have the largest sugar industry, though now in ruin.

During my visit to Cuba, the overall mood was one of kindness and generosity layered with uncertainty and a quiet suffering.

Time and time again, I met locals who had gone their entire lives without; a 60-something man who had never visited Havana even though he lived only two hours away, a woman who had never tasted a fresh jalapeño and taxi drivers who could only afford to purchase gas on the black market.