<![CDATA[I've been working on this documentary film for a long time it seems, and after the first trip to the island nation of Cuba, I traveled there again with a fellow producer, the brilliantly enlightened Mr. Gordon Alderink, a professor at Grand Valley State University. We usually call him Gordy for short. I almost certainly must mention that I also traveled with the humanitarian organization, First Hand Aid. Although my travels were with this organization, my goal was to create a film, and thus, this was my focus the entire time. However, during the course of my travels, I also felt it was necessary to document my own personal thoughts on what was happening around me. I find that writing is one of the best ways to preserve memories and thoughts, as long as it is done properly, much like video. So, I did what any person looking to preserve such thoughts would do: I kept a journal. Gordy (pictured above with some Cuban people living in the country) kept a journal as well, and I would hope to one day read what was written, because it's sure to be far more intellectually stimulating than mine, and will likely be more inclusive and well thought out as well. In my journal, I discuss the activities that we went through during my second trip to Cuba, and share my thoughts on what I experience. When I post this journal to the site here in the coming weeks, it will be completely UNCUT. I'm not going to edit it at all. It will be shared exactly as it was written then.
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I will be making some aesthetic additions to the text though, such as adding photos to illustrate the points, and a video if applicable or needed. I also have several video blogs (vlogs) that I made while in my room as well, so those may also accompany the journal entries if they fit. Lastly, I’ll look to correct any spelling or grammar errors, but will refrain from removing any content that was there originally. I’m hoping that these written thoughts do a couple of things for the people who see this blog every week (which isn’t a lot… about 100 views per day average).- I’m hoping to illustrate the importance of recording your thoughts and ideas down, even if they are never shared with anyone but yourself. You can learn so much from reading what you write, especially over a year after you write it. You will never remember anything perfectly, and depending on the person, you may forget things quickly. Writing solves that issue better than almost any other medium can.
- I’m hoping reading my experiences in Cuba will open your eyes to the world around us, outside the United States, and also give you insight into how the nation of Cuba isn’t all that different from our own country.