ALUMNI VOICES Cuban connections


Visiting a once forbidden land opened my eyes to a new world • BY DONNA TOBIN WESTEMEYER (MUND ’66) Soon after the U.S. began restor-


Cuba always seemed a mystery to me. I knew about the history—the revolution ending in 1959, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Fidel Castro’s ties to the Soviet Union. But long after the Cold War ended, this little island just 90 miles from Miami was still closed to trade, talks, and travel. Cuba remained an unknown world that most U.S. citizens were not allowed to visit—until now.


42 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO


ing diplomatic ties with Cuba, a colorful brochure arrived in the mail from Loyola. As part of Loyola’s travel program with Alumni Holidays International (AHI), the brochure promised an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture, history, and people of Cuba. Without hesitation I turned to my husband (and fellow Loyola alum), John, and said, “Let’s


go!” Soon after we were packing our bags and preparing for the journey. After a short 45-minute flight


from Miami, we touched down at Aeropuerto Santa Clara with our group of 27 American travelers. The airport was simple and small, with security guards in their brown with red uniforms. Riding in our bus we could see the blue, white-capped Cu- ban waters with little cottages along


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