A Moment in Cuba.

If there's truth in the cliche, "a picture is worth a thousand words,” then I have a couple of books worth of Cuba on my iPhone, and now, Instagram—literally some 150 images (starting at the top with Fidel!).  In fact, I opted for a "collage" instead of trying to select a single photo for this post. One image simply wouldn't do. Nor does a collage of six.

It's no wonder. Cuba presents an amazing study of diversity and contrasts. It is truly other worldly: primitive, elegant, unsettling and charming, all at once. It is epic visually, stunning in its beauty and its despair. Cuba's allure is both right in front of you and hidden around the next corner. The country has so many layers and contradictions that first time visitors may at times feel momentarily overwhelmed.

Cuba is that exotic a place.

Since the United States has "opened" relations, travel to this island nation is now easy. Americans—especially those up for something completely different—should take advantage. With a passport and a travel visa (which you can purchase at the airport before you board), you’re good to go. Even the airlines are responding; we flew direct (from Newark) on United in about three hours.

As it turns out, the hardest part about going to Cuba is deciding where to go. We only had a week and didn't make many of the destinations on our "possible" list (Varadero, Trinidad, Cayo Levisa, Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt, Parque National Cienaga de Zapata, Cordillera de Guaniguanico). But we did just fine in Havana, with day trips to Valley de Vi?ales (agricultural western Cuba, rich in tobacco and the famed Cuban cigars) and Santa Maria del Mar (stunning beach favored by locals a mere 20-minute bus ride out of Havana).

Cubans are warm, welcoming, and beautiful. While the poverty of the country is real, so too is the richness of its history and the affirming spirit of its people. Though Cuba is only 100 miles from Key West, visiting there is akin to time traveling a far greater distance—and backward in time. So the cultural immersion is real and like nothing else you’ve experienced.

If you do decide to go, basic research on Google will yield a wealth of useful intelligence, as will several of the travel blogs. But gather that intel before you depart because internet access is spotty in Cuba, which for us, was completely okay. In fact it was refreshing to be disconnected from the digital tools (toys) and social media channels that are so accessible and omnipresent in the states. Besides, there are several apps you can download prior to travel that will make your smart phone indispensable—even without internet access; “Triposo” (guide to Cuba) was exceptional for the map feature alone. If you prefer a printed guide, pick up the “DK Eyewitness Travel Book” on Cuba (easy to carry and a true "go to" companion).

And while your travel experience will be dramatically enhanced if you have command of the Spanish language, you'll do just fine with what you retained from high school (which, in our case wasn't much!). Most Cubans have some English-speaking skills or a friendly willingness to bridge the language gap.

The truth is, sometimes the spoken word is overrated. I felt this several times while traveling in Cuba, including early one morning while walking along the Malecón, a five-mile esplanade bordering Havana’s coastline. As the long shadows of the young day pointed toward the open sea, I came upon a lone fisherman, casting into the mouth of Canal de Entrada. I paused several minutes to take it in; no words were exchanged and none were needed. With each cast, the simplicity of life landed softly. I felt invigorated, yet oddly tranquil. I let the serenity wash over me. I thought of Hemingway, his historic connection to the Cuban people, and the book that earned him a Pulitzer Prize. The image before me was real, but I had no words. I simply savored that moment and how wonderful it felt to be alive, on the Malecón, in Cuba.