Current Location: Viñales Valley, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba

Cuba is gorgeous all the time, but it isn’t always easy to explore. Considering how much it rained while we were in Vinales (it starts at 4pm and continues for 2-3 hours), we were overjoyed to find beauty in the downpour. Even when it rains, there’s a particular elegance to the provincial life there, the way the palm fronds thrash about in the wind. Check out this short video vignette of Vinales rainstorms.

PSA: From September 7-10, Hurricane Irma swept over much of Cuba. Even in a place that is no stranger to severe weather, many homes and businesses were destroyed and lives were lost. Reports indicate that more than 100,000 homes were affected. Construction materials were out of date and sparse even before the hurricane, and prices are out of reach for so many Cubans living in poverty. This post is in solidarity and support for the rebuilding efforts.

Our content is not sponsored, but if you would like to donate to the relief efforts in the Caribbean and any of the places impacted by the recent hurricanes here are some organizations (besides the Red Cross) doing amazing work:

-GlobalGiving’s Hurricane Irma Relief Fund.

-The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is also registering volunteers to help in Puerto Rico (where nearly one million residents remain without power), as well as other areas affected by Irma

-UNICEF USA says it is targeting children impacted by Irma and is on the ground with staff and equipment for water treatment, hygiene and more within the Caribbean.

As usual, it’s available in higher quality on our Vimeo page:

Stay tuned for a lighter post about our cross-country train trip coming soon!

<3,

K&V