So many trips but recently, my wife Nancy and I were with seven other couples on an AZ Fly Shop saltwater fly fishing trip to Cuba. Can’t thank, Grace, Jill, and Chris enough for setting it up. The group went in a day early to stay at an Airbnb in Camaquey, Cuba. Fun dinner topped off with a class about Cuban cigar history and industry. The next morning we took a pedicab tour of the UNESCO-recognized city center. Then a bus ride to Cayo Romano to our hotel and marina. Wonderful fairly new 60-room hotel where the water eventually worked but all handled with great humor! Each couple had a flats boat and guide where this time of year we mostly hunted for Bone Fish and Permit. All caught as well as other fish and spearfished lobster which the hotel prepared for dinners. Saltwater fly fishing is tough work and all were terrific at learning and catching fish. My wife is not a fishing enthusiast but we learned from previous trips that we experience far more than just the fishing. We were questioned by family and friends, about why Cuba and not Paris or something. Mostly, we love to learn about different cultures and have different and sometimes uncomfortable experiences. We always thought we appreciate being an American citizen but seeing other places reminds us of just how good we have it. Our form of capitalism may not be perfect and I wish it was more balanced for all but we are a darn bit better than some others. The best part of the trip was the people. The hotel, guides, and others but mostly we lucked out with an amazing group of people which interestingly enough, is the most lasting memory.

A generalization is the product of a simple mind. I don’t like starting with what sounds like a negative thing but while I understand generalizing about things and people is the natural human condition, it limits how we see things and understand them. It becomes the core of bigotry and polarization. Seems to me it limits all our growth and life.