Why Travel is Essential in Understanding the Human Experience
This year was a whirlwind of travel, and the common theme seemed to be
connection. I'll chronicle my travels throughout the US and abroad, not in a
chronological order, but as my heart is moved to write about each experience.
Why is it always in our attempts to get lost, we always find ourselves? I recently
went on an impromptu girl's trip to Havana, Cuba. It was such an eye opening,
amazing experience. I'll be sharing my thoughts on this over the next few weeks.
Travel is essential in understanding the human experience. We all long to be seen, loved,
heard, and understood. We all long for that human connection. No matter what our
skin color, language, or nationality, we all want that common thing.
We are all strangers, until we become friends
Little Cuban girl, September 2018 copyright Donna Shoots
Pretty brown baby girl with the spider braids, you remind me so much of me as a
child: Bright eyed, eager, and and curious.
I wondered how long you had been sitting there at the window watching the world
go by? What was your life like? You look about the same age as my Olivia and I
wondered if she where with me, if you would be friends.
Little Cuban girl, September 2018 copyright Donna Shoots
We exchanged a smile before I held my camera up and out of the window. Your smile
captivated me, and I captured your wonder in three short frames. Stopped at a red
light in your beautiful city of Havana, I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. Your mother
propped you up higher so I could see you better. Maybe she knew that I too, was a
mother, and missing my sweet brown babies at home.
My heart broke when the light changed from red to green. I knew our time was over.
Little Cuban girl, September 2018 copyright Donna Shoots
I will most likely never see you again baby girl. Thank you for letting me capture the
beauty of your country and the warmth of your city and people in three short frames.
I hope you are comfortable at night. I hope you have enough to eat. I hope for you to
grow up to be anything you desire to be. I hope you always love your beautiful
brown skin, and your spider braids.
I don’t know your name or who you are, but you are forever immortalized in these
images and my heart.
Most of all I hope you never lose that infections smile. Know you are loved beautiful
brown baby girl, by your mama, and the crazy American lady with the ridiculous
sunglasses frantically waving at you.