There's light beyond the mountain!
Since
the advent of COVID-19, much has been in flux regarding so many aspects
of life, particularly travel. And now, here we are in the Advent
season, according to Christian tradition, looking for light and
expecting something good to come. But, when?
"When will we be there?" is a question that echoed off the windows of
our family car more than once while I was growing up. It has also
silently bounced between my ears on many occasions, especially when I've
been aboard a plane and arriving at my destination seems to take longer
than my clock says.
When will this pandemic end? I'd be happy with a little benign
pandemonium instead, that's for sure! I've just had my Jan. 26 trip to
Cuba cancelled. If you've heard the phrase, "third time's the charm," I
can tell you it's not always so. Not counting the original April 2020
cancellation due to the onset of COVID, this was my third attempt to
return to my "second home." I've been trying to go in order to take a
suitcase full of much-needed medical/health supplies, as well as to do
some reconnaissance, prior to offering a group trip.
At some point in 2022, I WILL make it to Cuba! The duty-free exemption
for a suitcase of supplies (including food) is currently in place until
the end of June, and I very much want to take advantage of that offer.
The Cuban government has extended the exemption deadline once but
there's no guarantee they will do so again.
There's no guarantee about anything, of course. That's been driven home
like a hard-hammered nail in the past two years. I haven't been able to
travel to Cuba, where my heart is drawn, or to the U.S., where much of
my family resides. Nor have I been able to host physical launches for my
two novels, Cuban Kisses and the sequel, Cuban Wishes.
The third book in the trilogy will be out in the early part of the new
year, hopefully, so we plan to officially launch all three at once.
(I'll be sure to announce everything, don't worry!)
I do feel hopeful about my writing projects, just as I do about making
it to Cuba before my friends forget what I look like! As well as
much-needed medicine and such, I have books to deliver to those who were
particularly supportive of my writing as I was doing it. I guess you
could say that I AM expecting good things to come, and I DO see light
beyond the mountain. The dark clouds will pass and the sun will blaze
brilliantly once again, both here and there – in Cuba, where support is
very much needed due to issues beyond COVID.
I will let you know how my ventures go, regarding both my forthcoming
novel and my upcoming trip to Cuba. Meanwhile, let me know if you want
copies of either Cuban Kisses or Cuban Wishes – $20
and $25, respectively, or $40 for both, when ordered at the same time
(CAD for all prices). I can mail them to you in either Canada or the
U.S.; payments can be made by e-transfer or PayPal.
This letter, however, should not end with a sales pitch! So, let me just
reiterate that I AM feeling cautiously optimistic about the coming
year! (Okay, those of you who know me would probably say it's my normal
state but, dagnabit, that's been a challenge of late.) But, really and
truly, I do see a warm glow on the horizon, amid the majestic Sierra
Maestra mountains, and I intend to go toward it as soon as I possibly
can. After all, I have a new manuscript in the works, along with ideas
for special travel experiences, and I need to do some on-the-sand
research!
Take care, stay safe and enjoy the holidays!
Hasta luego & shalom,
Jenny
