With this episode I’m sharing a very personal story, the first of two episodes. This episode gives you a glimpse of what it’s like to have an unexpected anxiety attack and discover you have a debilitating fear of water.

Gallup polls have been conducted to take the pulse of how many people carry this fear. They all agree that about 60% of Americans have a fear of deep water, and 45% have a fear of water over their heads. What if you were born without having access to a body of water? What if you’ve tried to swim, but thought you weren’t born with the ability to do so? What if I tell you it’s never too late and that everyone is born with the ability to swim? Listen to this episode but don't miss the next one to find out that it's never too late to learn to swim.

In line with the theme of love, this Green Plantain episode features two men, their friendship, and their passion for their land - Cuba. One is an entrepreneur who owns a taxi service company in Santa Clara, and the other is a biologist who farms in the Escambray mountains.

Meet Rolando Gonzalez a biologist who leases a finca - a farm in the Escambray mountains in Cuba. Learn about his local biosphere.

In line with the theme of love for community, you will hear the story of a Cubanito who gave his all to the community he lived in - San Felipe, Venezuela. This episode highlights how one man can change the course of many lives.

The city of Caracas, Venezuela, and the Village of Plandome, New York State have a man in common - un Cubanito. This week's episode of the Green Plantain features Alfredo (Al) Díaz and his love for community.

In line with the theme of love, today you will hear the story of a sister and a brother - Martina y Maximo - their bond, commitment and admiration which stood the test of time - the epitome of brotherly love. Martina y Maximo were born in Manajanabo, Cuba, and like many, their lives took roots in other countries - his in Venezuela and hers in the United States.

At the request of family members, and in line with this month's theme of love, I am sharing Jon and Sue's love story - our story.

Jon was born and raised in Wisconsin, and after returning from the Vietnam War, he settled in the Miami area. I was born in Cuba, and spent my early exile years between Venezuela and the United States. Two different cultures and two different worlds merged.

I present you Jon and Sue, a copyrighted story in English and Spanish within this episode - I hope you find it romantic!

Today I would like to introduce you to Meylin Ruiz, a fifth-generation Cuban who lives in Santa Clara, Cuba, and works in Information Technology at the medical center. She gifts the world her smile and sweet disposition. In fact, her laugh is contagious. Meylin is not just an IT professional. She is not just a young Cuban woman. She is a poet and a dreamer. She is the Cuba of today.

I present you The Dreamer, a copyrighted story that includes Meylin’s poetry, in English and Spanish within this episode - I hope you find it lovely!

This podcast is a copyrighted excerpt from the book, Cuban Exile Memories, Journeys of Courage and Resilience in the Pursuit of Freedom, written by Talek Nantes. Talek has always harbored a passion for her heritage and all things Cuban and her book is a compilation of stories from family and friends. We hope you find the following three memories interesting, and who knows, if you are an immigrant, you may even find it resonates with your personal exile experience.

Sapi-Sapi [Sæpee-Sæpee], a story written by Margarita and her sister Elsa, the Calleja sisters, is a childhood memory from their hometown Victoria de las Tunas, now known as Las Tunas, located in north-eastern Cuba. Sapi-Sapi is the story of an impoverished foreigner and how he became part of the fabric of their hometown. An endearing story.

Today’s feature is a historic story titled Green Arms like Snakes, as told to me by Cousin Teresa Fuentes-Sardiñas of how they survived the Battle of Santa Clara, Cuba at the end of 1958.

This battle was crucial to Fidel Castro and on the morning of December 29th, Ché Guevara (El Ché) delivered his assault on the city. Sta. Clara became a battleground as B-26 bombers of the Cuban Air Force fought the rebeldes - the rebels, from the air and on land with tanks and guns.

For three days, the town remained in darkness, terrorized by the sound of gunshots, exploding Molotov cocktails, and bombs.

While the rebels entered the city from the east via La Carretera Camajuaní, many spilled into the town's north through the monte - the bush, right by Loly's house!