Miroki booked a last minute mini-moon with Eric, and chose to discover Cuba for the first time. While the beaches are nice, she learned of Cuba's notorious reputation for having bad food. But is it all it seems?

On one side, cigars, rum, and piña coladas galore! On the other, rolling power outages, hitchhiking doctors and collapsing buildings.

Despite booking at a resort, she chose to try walking in the steps of a local, spending days exploring and tasting in Varadero, Havana and Matanzas.

Voices of Cuban residents shared their stories from various perspectives:

Leonardo Bacallao from the Casa Particular (private rental home) Casa Colonial Abogados Leonardo y Angela

Osniel, a local tour guide of Cuban Compass Tours

David Venegas, General Manager of Iberostar Playa Alameda (Instagram @davidsevcab)

Filito Fujuyang, a street artist in Varadero

La Guarida is a fine restaurant in Havana, converted from a 20th century home shortly after it was used for the Academy Award Nominated film Strawberry & Chocolate.

Saint Elvira Church is a historic church in Varadero that accepts donations during weekdays between 9AM-12PM, and brings them to hard hit regions.

Cuba Libro is a used bookstore and cafe in Havana that focuses on social responsibility. They accept donations, and bring them to underserved locations.

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

You can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

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