Although we were unable to do an entire stage of the trek in Cuba, Monica, Jamila and I were miraculously transported there with our Mexican friends, Lucy and Hugo, for one night via the magic of Mamá Rumba--a dance club and oasis of Cuban culture in Mexico City. Because of the intensely controversial politics of Cuba, many people are forced to flee and seek asylum in places like Mexico and the United States. So here in Mexico City there is a small community of Cuban exiles who have brought with them their culture and music. Cuban bands play nightly at Mamá Rumba to a packed house and everyone dances (it isn't optional).

When we first arrived at the club the band had not started playing yet, and it wasn't crowded, but within half an hour the band took the stage and the place was packed with dancing bodies. The band consisted of three male singers, three drummers playing congas (large hand drums) and timbales (tin drums played with sticks), as well as a guitar and a stand-up base. The music is very rhythmic and fast-paced, and the style of dancing called rumba is very different from what I am used to in the U.S.

At first I felt very foolish and self-conscious dancing, but after a few minutes of instruction from the dance instructor, Lucy, and a couple of mojitos (a traditional Cuban rum drink), I began to catch on. After a while I couldn't stop. Finally at around four in the morning they dragged me off the dance floor much to my dismay. Although it certainly was not a real trip to Cuba, it was an excellent taste of Cuban culture, and until the World Trek II it will just have to do.