Categories: Travel

Discovering My Roots – Family in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba

Juan Delgado Gonzalez - a colonel that I am apparently related to

It’s pretty incredible that I still have family living in Cuba, and even more incredible that I have the opportunity to not only visit them for the first time, but to see where my grandparents grew up as well.

I found a journal written by my grandmother after she died about 4 years ago that she wrote in 1992, describing where she was born, grew up, and what life was like in Cuba from 1920-1960. I don’t think she would have ever thought that I’d be able to see where she lived so it really meant a lot to me to be able to follow her legacy and see what she was talking about.

My grandma wrote us a memoir over 20 years ago describing her life in Cuba – I found it 4 years ago and am now rediscovering her memories and life in Santiago de las Vegas

My cousins that still live there (one in the same house for 77 years that was built in 1863) were so happy, and I think a little shocked to see me. They all only speak Spanish so we had to talk really slowly to understand each other. They took me around the small town, for one of the most heartfelt and emotional experiences I’ve ever had. (Full story coming soon/integrated into the editorial for Geo Chic Magazine).

I will go back to their house on Sunday for la cena fiesta (a dinner party), and also to try to figure out where my grandpa grew up since he likes to not tell anyone anything, but he gave me a “treasure hunt” description so let’s see if I can find it…

Driving into Santiago de las Vegas

Meeting my cousins Mirtha y Pupi for the first time

My cousin Mirta’s house – built in 1863!!!

My cousin Mirtha and I in her backyard that is full of Mango and Banana trees

Mirtha’s backyard

Trying to GoPro interview Pupi

The parque where my grandmother and her friends used to go to “meet boys”

…the only boys I met were these niñitos

My boys

They wanted a picture

Juan Delgado Gonzalez – a colonel that I am apparently related to

Standing in front of the (new) house that was built over where my grandmother was born in the 20’s

Pupi, me, and Lily in what was my grandmother’s backyard

The only thing that remains the same from my grandmother’s house is this 100 year old Avocado tree

Pupi getting VIP treatment in our Bat Mobile

Pupi the movie star of Santiago

My family sad to see me leave, but coming back Sunday for a fiesta!

Alyssa Ramos

I’m Alyssa Ramos, a full-time, self-made, solo traveler who’s been to over 85+ Countries, all 7 Continents, 7 World Wonders, 7 Wonders of Nature, plus I recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and dove the Great Barrier Reef! I created this life of full-time traveling completely on my own, and my goal is to give you as much information and inspiration as possible to make travel happen for you too!