A Day In The Life in Cuba – The Reality

In life, one of the most incredible experiences is travel. I believe that when you travel to see the world, different lifestyles, realities, different people, places is something that is such a great thing. You become more aware, educated, informed and get in touch with your personal self to get a better understanding than what you hear in the media and pictures, also to change your perspective on things of the way your life is and in your own backyard to appreciate, count our blessings, and to be grateful for everything you have in life where others are less fortunate and do not have much. For example, in Cuba.

I have traveled to Cuba 13 times in my lifetime. I have traveled almost all over the island and have seen cities, and towns along the way. I have spent time with the locals, and met families, and have seen the way people live their day to day lives with the bare minimum. Some people make about $12.00 – $30.00 a month. Maximum 35 if they are lucky. Most people work in the resorts and touristic parts, some who are teachers, doctors, room makers, cleaners, bartenders and more.

A lot of people nowadays are so picky about what they want to eat, some people have a fridge full of food, pantries full, stomachs full, and they still are trying to figure out what to make. I admit, I am one of them, but It is really an eye-opener when you see the world. Not only in pictures, but when you see it with your own eyes. That is a whole new ball game. Well, some people in this world unfortunately do not have that option. Cuban people get a certain amount of food per month or every 2 weeks and that they need to space out how much food to eat during the day, some have to struggle to make their own food.

As I was going through towns from Cayo Santa Maria, back to Santa Clara where the airport is to come back home, I saw some of the most saddest things I had ever seen, there are run down buildings that look like they will collapse any minute, people walking around the streets with heavy bags, people cutting grass with machetes or some sort of cutter, some people going somewhere with horses, busted up cars, and it just made me tear up and think to myself, how can people live like this day in and day out? I teared up and so did the person who was sitting next to me and I overheard 2 ladies behind me saying that, we shouldn’t complain anymore and be choosy about everything we have. This really opened up my eyes one of the ladies said, and the friend of hers or whoever it was said, yes that’s true, you are right.

I have been through towns and cities in Cuba, and some of the conditions of the homes the Cuban people live are terribly sad. It breaks my heart. They don’t have proper windows, the roofs of some of the houses are coming apart, a lot of the houses are the size of a 14 to 17 foot place and some of the houses are even smaller than that. Can you imagine a family of 5 living there? Well, I met this family of 5 and they live in such a small house and they have to go outside of the home to use the toilet and to shower they have buckets inside the house and there is running water outside, so they have to go out to get running water then come back to wash up inside where there is just a drain.

In Cienfuegos, Cuba when I went. I had met an entertainer and then he invited my family and I over to his house, so the next day we took the taxi over to his place. We met his family and I remember how hospitable they were with us and so friendly. So, we took them a few items we do not need anymore and they were so happy. So the mother of the entertainer made us a whole table full of food, and started preparing the day before when the entertainer told them we are coming over. The dinner we had was so delicious and it was probably their months worth of food for us for that night. It was done without our knowledge or else we would have refused and if we did, they would get offended, so we ended up eating all of it as we were hungry. They then served us coffee and then we went back to the hotel.

They were so incredibly friendly and we got to see how they lived the whole day. They struggle so much with the deplorable conditions they live in. Some places though are really nice. It depends on the monthly salary as well. Again, I came to my resort and I just thank my lucky stars. I showed a few Cubans my pictures from my Camera, and they have never even seen an airplane in their lives, they have never even seen a camera, let alone the type of clothing I was wearing. It absolutely broke my heart to pieces.

I will continue to visit Cuba. I really like the people there and they are so friendly, witty and energetic, but for some people you can see the sadness and depression in their faces and you can tell some of them don’t have much, and some show they are happy, but they are not. The desperation can be seen. They love it when you give them shoes, clothing and anything else. For these people I will donate and give them the shirt off my back. Put yourself in their shoes and see what its like, but some people don’t realize.

I see them working so hard at the resorts, non-stop and they have to travel long ways to make a Buck which is a Peso there. There are people who come to these resorts who travel there, and I see how rude the guests can be to them and waste so much food on their plates, demand things from them. I mean at the end of the day, they are human beings just like us and deserve to be treated with respect and to have patience. Those Cubans see it and they said, I wish I had this much food at my home and I can see the frustration and sadness in their eyes. I am very observant when I travel. Some of these tourists don’t realize that, however I do and I am compassionate and patient with them. I put myself in their shoes and I go from there.

Moral of the story is that you should always be thankful for what you have. You never know what someone else is going through and people in this world do not have anything, so we must stop begging for more, being desperate for buying the next newest and latest smartphones, or super expensive things that really suit no purpose in life. Some people are so spoiled to the fullest extent. It is unbelievable. We should always count our lucky stars because people in this world aren’t so lucky.

Have you been to Cuba or anywhere else and have seen the way people live?

Do you travel to other destinations to see other peoples reality and what it is like?

Would love to hear from you.

High Heels and Parties – The Logic of Shoe Removal

In our lives a lot of us if not some, we tend to care so much about how our appearance looks when we go to parties, gatherings and other functions. Well, that is important, but one thing that doesn’t make sense is that some wear really uncomfortable high heels and some are so high that you see people not able to walk, but they will suffer the pain, anguish and discomfort just to make a statement and then take their shoes off almost halfway through the event. People want to look great in them and look taller.

I know high heels look so great, and its something that some value and are so into, however wearing high heels can pose dangers to posture, health of the legs, back and also strains. Especially when women who are pregnant and wear extremely high heels and I have seen it and I just think to myself. That is not right. Comfort should be #1 when When looking for footwear. It is so important to feel comfortable. I mean if you can pull off wearing heels and you are committed to wearing them, by all means go ahead, but in the long run, comfort rules everything else.

Why go to parties and bring extra footwear, and bring extra stuff you do not need, or bringing flip flops and flats to wear when from the beginning if you wear comfortable shoes, you do not have to worry about changing your shoes and you can be carefree all night. I am not telling you not to wear heels. You are free to do and wear whatever, but just looking out for your best interest.

When I get married hopefully someday, I will be wearing flats as a bride and my bridesmaids will also be wearing flats, because we will be up on our feet almost all day and I want my bridesmaids, maid of honor to be as comfortable as possible and enjoy the day and have one less thing to worry about when they say, My feet are killing me, I want to change into flip flops or flats. Do not want any of my girls to be uncomfortable. Who cares about Heels? If some brides are so worried about the shoes to be high, you have to think about the whole day process during the wedding ceremony, taking photos, standing a lot and dancing at the reception party, then also getting dressed and stuff in the beginning of the day. Its so important to be comfortable always and not put unnecessary strain on the body. Especially when you are part of a wedding party and when you are participating in standing up a lot.

This also means for conventions, and businesses as well. Also actresses and filming movies and TV Shows. I do not see anything wrong with wearing flats or small heels.

I myself, cannot wear heels. It has to be completely flat or just a small heel of a couple of centimeters in length, but I cannot believe people can wear 3-4-5-6 inch heels and a lot more higher. It is crazy. My back and my legs hurt by just looking at others walk in them. My feet hurt with just wearing an inch or less sometimes..

When I was a teenager and graduating grade 8 and 12th grade in High school, during my prom, I wore huge heels and at 17-18 years old, I began to feel uncomfortable. I said to myself, why should I suffer in pain and discomfort? I began to wear flats after that age. I just cannot stand wearing heels. Not going to damage my body, my health, my posture for the sake of wearing them.

Do you wear heels? Are you against wearing them? or do you love wearing them? Would love to hear what you have to say as well.

Second Time Around for First Time Around Prices

In the last few years, I discovered second time around stores, so I decided to go into the store and see what the hype is all about. There is an array of second hand items donated to the store such as clothing, fashion accessories, shoes, home decor, kitchen stuff, books, cds, movies, bathroom stuff, furniture, organizational boxes, necklaces, handbags, baggage, hats, toys, kids clothes, pillows, blankets, towels, seasonal items, and so much more. These stores are great for anyone who is interested in buying used products or whatever that person is interested in.

Although I support and fully recognize the greatness of these stores, however there are some stores, that sell second time around items for first time around prices. I think that when people donate things to those stores, things customers buy should not exceed more than 5 dollars. Books, Movies should not be over 2 dollars, clothing should be under 5 dollars or less per item, and everything else should be priced more reasonably.

I’ve heard in the last little while, that second time around thrift store customers are complaining that things are so pricey than the regular box stores, and charge more for items. It is ridiculous. Some said that we are regular customers but as of today, we won’t be shopping here anymore very often. I know that things are getting expensive, and prices are increasing, however there is no excuse on charging people 25 dollars for a handbag, or 10 dollars for a pair of jeans, or 8 dollars for a pair of shoes. I know these thrift stores need to make money too for rent of the place and to pay its employees, however second time around stores are there for a reason to be more convenient and to recycle items which can be used by another person.

I fully support the recycling of clothing, and stuff, but things should be priced a bit more reasonable, so that people can actually buy things. I heard many people in the aisles saying, I am not pay 8 bucks for a top that has slightly faded. If they give it to me for 2-3 dollars, I will take it. Sometimes at the checkout cash they can be reasonable by lowering the price, but sometimes they do not which is not good.

I know a lot of people may be afraid to shop at these stores because another person who wears the clothing, and uses things can transmit bacteria and all that, however when you wash and disinfect stuff that you buy, you will be fine. I shop there once in a while and sometimes find good deals, so I buy them, wash them out thoroughly and then wear or use them.

Do you shop at Second time around stores? Have you noticed an increase in prices? What do you think about these thrift stores? Would you ever shop at them or are you curious about what you will see in those stores?

Fashion Comfort VS Fashion Pain

In my life as I was growing up, I was always paying attention to fashion, always asking my mom when I was a kid, Mom I only want this kind of clothing and shoes, and I used to be a big brand name supporter, but my mom always taught me sweetie, its better to be comfortable and wear good clothing, not to try to grow up so fast, but in the last few years its been all about comfort for me rather than having fashion pains. I know that there is nothing greater like quality of the clothing, shoes I wear, but I am not one of those people anymore to be running around and finding brand names because In the end it is my comfort that is important to me. I have learned that when I was entering into my 20’s. So in the last 8 years or so its been all about comfort more than anything else.

I see some teenaged girls, and women wearing ever so high heels, and a lot of them cannot even walk in high heels and yet they still wear it because they think its cool and it makes them look good in it, to show off to friends and others who look at them and I know some of them are in pain wearing them and they still wear it like nothing is happening to them, but they do not know in the long run and in future that it can do damage to the vertebrae, back and legs. I do not know how some people can stay in heels and stand in them, dance in them and they say the love to wear heels. To me I wear very little or no heels at all. I love flats and just a small bit of a heel, but I just cannot handle high heels. The other day I was trying on shoes at a random store, and I said let me try on these big heels for a minute, lets see what the hype about it is, It took me merely 20 seconds and I already started to feel pain. I said how in the heck can people wear these for hours? So painful. I took them off and I felt so relieved. I am in for comfort and that is what should matter.

Even with the clothes and stuff. I don’t care if I buy them from big box stores, or an unknown clothing store or anything if it feels good, and the material is good, then I will buy it, but It doesn’t have to be big brand names. In the end fashion isn’t about impressing others, you shouldn’t have to impress others by proving a point or anything. It is how comfortable you see yourself with wearing whatever you want to wear and it is something that you should feel good about too. People in this world do not even have clothes and shoes to wear. We should be fortunate that we do have what we have and not complain about about not having brand name clothing, and shoes and spending thousands of dollars on clothing that is so ridiculous.

For me Comfort beats Fashion pain, and when I get older I am going to be in pain and people wonder why they are in so much pain when they get older on their legs, feet, back is because when were young we do not realize what we do when were young will affect us later on in life and its happened where I know someone who wore heels a lot and then as she got older, back problems started and leg problems. Now shes going to physiotherapy for the last 2 years. She now cannot stand heels and I do not blame her.

These fashion companies make you want to get more, and want you to always stay in the latest fashions, remember they are there to make money on you and it doesn’t matter how they do it, they do it and they always find a way to persuade the public eye, about certain things, but me I never follow the fashion trends. I do not have to buy everything that comes out, I do not have to go spend so much money where I can spend the money on more important things then having to always stay in the fashion world. No need to flaunt and impress others. Remember comfort, comfort, comfort.

You should not worry about what other people think about what kind of clothes you wear or anything. The important thing is how you see yourself, and how you feel. Yes dressing in a terrible way is not good like ripped jeans, way too baggy pants, and looking like a slob, okay that there no one should wear those when they are out, but other than that its what you feel. Comfort is key and remember your future. Save yourself from pain in the long run and be comfortable. So Fashion comfort conquers and wins!

Don’t Try & Grow Up Too Fast. Take Each Phase Of Your Life As It Comes

Hello, I am sure this has been an issue in almost every household on how children want to grow up too fast and where they go to their moms or dads room to try on big shoes, put on make up, and try on mommy and daddy clothes. I myself have done that. Took my moms shoes, wore them, put on her dresses, put on the make up and then do a fashion show like on a catwalk runway. Then my mom put me to the side and said, Talin don’t try to grow up too fast and put make up on too early. She said everything has its time and you will get here soon enough. I sometimes could not wait to grow up so I can get into places over the age of 18, 19, 21 and start buying lotto tickets, but I have only bought one lotto ticket in my life and that was when I turned 18 years of age from what I was hearing when I was a kid being in adult conversations when company was over, or when we went to other people’s houses, I couldn’t help but hear adult conversations going on, so it intrigued me and that is where I learned these things, but I just continued to being a kid and playing with barbies and other toys.

I started going into Casinos at age 19 in Ontario and in Quebec. As well as Niagara, Falls New York. My curiosity sparked and I wanted to experience it, Not for the sole purpose of gambling, but to get into the casino and just walk around and see the different slot machines and table games. I am not much a gambler and a casino goer but I like to go there to walk around, relax and have a soft drink, water, coffee to relax and to be in the ambiance of colour, noise from the machines. Its pretty awesome, but the moral of the story is, to live every phase as it comes and to live every age the same way. When we are kids we want to grow up so fast and then when we become adults, I am sure almost all of us have said, I wish I was a kid again, I wish I was home playing, I wish I went back to elementary grade school, I wish I was a kid again to not worry about life and everything. Unfortunately we can’t turn back the clock and rewind to where we want to go in the past, but it is important to move forward in your life and take each time you have as it comes. When you feel young at heart, when you feel healthy and content, that is the best lottery you can ever win, and that is the best casino you can be in terms of health, body and soul.

Some people never get another chance at tomorrow, and tomorrow for some will never come. You live once, enjoy each year and make the most of your life. Life is precious and is given to you. You are the chosen one and your put on earth for a reason and you have to be the one to discover it. Life is a beautiful thing and it can be awesome, you have to make it awesome and you have to make life, not waste it away. turning 28 years old a month ago made me realize that wow I only have 2 more years of my 20’s and then I will be saying hello to my 30’s. Hopefully. Which is why you live for today, you live for tomorrow, and surviving in between is what we try to do, but always know, that when you want to grow up too fast, you miss a lot of your years. take it all in step by step, day by day. Growing up is becoming mature, and being mature is what makes you grow up. There is a big kid in all of us, but maturity is key. Life is what you make of it.

I Have So Much Respect For Kim Kardashian For Doing Humanitarian Work For Syria and More

In the recent years, we have heard this name Kim Kardashian on TV, Newspapers, Internet and more. I know that Kim Kardashian does not have a great reputation to some people and I know somethings of her past were crazy, but I have developed a big tremendous amount of respect for the girl. Not only does she have her own clothing line and everything, but she does humanitarian work too. Kim Kardashian is Armenian and she always recognizes that and she has said that she is in so many of her interviews which I am so proud of her. Not only does she recognize the Armenian Genocide that happened on April 24, 1915, with the Ottoman Turkish Empire killing more than 1.5 million Armenians, but she took a stand and she is doing Genocide Awareness, now shes helping Syria in the crisis happening now and with Armenian Churches being burnt down and the city being in ruins. She has urged people to help in the crisis and I am so proud of her for standing behind and supporting these causes. She is a great person and I would love to meet Kim Kardashian someday and her family. They do so much for the Armenian community and I am so proud of them all. Especially Khloe, Kim, Lemar and Kourtney.  When I was in LA last month, All I can think about is the Kardashian family and seeing and meeting them, but being in LA for 4 hours only was not enough lol. Anyway, All the best to the Kardashian family. I have big respects and props to you all for standing up for Armenians, Supporting and standing up for what you believe in.

Some Armenians who are famous in this world, do not even recognize they are Armenian and they don’t even acknowledge our race which I see a big problem in that, but Kim Kardashian and her family always do recognize and share it with the world who they are and what they do. I know that Kim doesn’t have a great track record with breaking up with Kris Humphries and and everything else, but that is her personal life, maybe she had reasons for doing what she did, but it is none of my business what she does behind closed doors. That is not what I am interested in. Her public life yes, and her humanitarian work yes, and that is something that I admire above anything else. Kim is such a sweetheart and the best. Also very beautiful, great sense of fashion, and she means the world to me and I am one of her biggest fans. Hope to meet her someday and really get to know her. These tabloid magazines, and these trashy magazines and media always try to manipulate and make her look like the bad girl, but I don’t listen to media coverage. This is my opinion and I am sticking with it.

Kardashians you guys rock!

 

Organization is Key When Traveling…

Do you pack your luggage or baggage without organizing it?

Do you just toss things in your luggage or baggage without thinking what or where am I going to wear this or use this?

 

Organization is key when packing when you go away. First off think of the duration you will stay somewhere, think of the clothes, accessories you will need. I am the person who doesn’t like to wear the same thing everyday, so I tend to pack a little extra. You never know what happens. So Always pack a little more extra because you maybe stuck toward the end of the trip or in between saying, “I knew I should have packed more stuff”. It doesn’t matter if you go away for a day, two days, 3 days, a week, a month, 6 months, pack according to your duration, but pack enough so you won’t feel uncomfortable.

 

Toilettries, Medication, make up, hair stylers, earrings, necklaces, shoes, other purses/bags…

 

These are often tricky to decide, but Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Shampoo, Perfume, and other important things.

Make up, hair stylers — Make sure you make room for those, but I usually pack make up in my carry on bag…

Necklaces, shoes, purses/bags, earrings and other jewellery, if your a woman/girl — we love our jewellry, pack several of them because you may decide, No i dont wanna wear this one. I should have brought the other pair, so bring a lot with you, so that you wont get stuck once again…

 

The baggage/luggage size — According to where you are traveling and how long you are traveling, judge for yourself how big or small you want your suitcase to be. I usually take about a medium size when I travel Around CANADA/USA — when I travel overseas or caribbean or something, I bring a large… I seldomly use a small suitcase. But keep in mind the Airline Weight and Luggage size Policies. Some Airlines you must pay, and some airlines you must pay for an extra checked bag. I do not know why. before this issue was never brought to our attention. I guess things change….

 

Well, that is it for now, but Organization is very important when you travel… Pack enough so you wont be stuck — It doesn’t hurt to have extra things with you. You may or may not need it, but its good. So light packers, Pack a little more… It saves you in the long run.