When we think of Cuba as Americans, we often have associations of Elian Gonzalez, Fidel Castro and corruption we hear of on the news. In early 2017, I got the chance to visit a country I was curious about from a very young age. In my opinion, being around the people you love is the foundation of life in Cuba. It doesn't matter what type of job you have whether you're a barber, construction worker, taxi cab driver...love is the foundation. And that is something that only adds to the mystique. There is not only a sense of having strong bonds, but a deep conviction of pride in Cuban people.