The sun, which had been so intense during the day,

finally began to fade,

and by the time the evening quietly approached,

I had walked away from the town to the beach.

 

As the sunlight weakened,

more people started to appear outside.

The vibrant and beautiful gradient of the sunset sky

reflected in the Caribbean Sea.

 

I took a slow, deep breath.

Without doing anything,

I just gazed at the scenery.

 

Beyond this sea.

Far beyond that horizon,

lies the country and home where I was born and raised.

My family and loved ones live there too.

 

Here it is evening,

but over there, it must be nearing morning.

 

Despite being so far away,

with the Caribbean Sea sunset right in front of me, which many people envy,

my mind was filled with thoughts of home.

It was a strange feeling.

 

It might be a habit I’ve developed during my long travels.

 

When you're away from home for so long,

the extraordinary life of traveling

slowly becomes your new normal.

The excitement from the early days of travel starts to fade.

 

It’s not just about fun, but there are also many hard times.

 

During the most difficult times,

when I felt homesick,

remembering "home" strangely brought peace to my heart.

 

Home is a "place to return to."

A physical place that’s familiar,

and the people and community I’m used to.

 

"I have a place to return to."

 

How strongly this fact helped me during my harsh travels,

how much it became the strength to keep moving forward.

 

Maybe it was the exhaustion from the journey.

Perhaps the Caribbean sunset made my heart honest.

 

Yes, I have

a place to return to.

So, everything will be fine.

One day, I’ll go back.

So, let me cherish this moment now.

 

...

 

But what am I doing here, so far away, alone?

Where am I now,

and where am I heading?

Did I find something today?

 

Maybe because I've spent so much time alone,

I naturally find myself talking with myself more.

 

...When the Cubans are daydreaming,

are they having conversations with themselves?

 

Before the Westerners forcibly brought them to this island,

were they thinking about their homeland in Africa, a place they never set foot in?

 

What kind of world is in their minds?

 

The people of Cuba are strangely cheerful,

friendly, and tough.

Perhaps it’s because they are constantly buffeted by the waves of change.

 

Looking back, many of them originally lived in places like Africa,

but at some point, they were forcibly brought to this island by Westerners.

And for a long time,

they were forced into harsh labor and conditions as slaves.

 

Eventually, this small island grew into a country,

and revolutions occurred,

even fighting against the mighty nation of America.

 

And they didn’t lose.

The faces of the heroes from that time can still be seen on posters and photographs

around the country.

 

In this way, they were swept away by the waves of major changes time and time again,

buffeted, nearly drowning,

yet still desperately struggling or managing to ride the waves.

 

Now,

another wave of change is approaching.

 

They have begun to engage in diplomacy with their former enemy, America.

 

Amidst the Latin music,

numerous English songs have started to be heard.

 

Next to the old, rundown grocery store,

there’s a brand new Western-style shop.

 

The ripples of capitalism are slowly spreading.

 

Many of the old classic cars still running in this country

may eventually be replaced by new models.

 

Both the country and its people can live on by changing.

 

The Cuba I saw is likely disappearing.

No, if I think bigger,

it’s not just Cuba...

 

The things I’ve seen,

the places I’ve lived are changing.

The human relationships I’ve become familiar with are changing.

I, too, am changing.

 

The fact that the familiar things will no longer exist from now on,

even if it’s a change for the better,

there’s inevitably a certain sadness associated with it.

 

And when I start getting used to the new things,

they will change again...

 

As long as I live, I will continue to change.

Even this “now” we are in,

is continuing to change.

 

The scenery, my friends, the smells, the tastes,

the sounds, all change. Everything,

exists only in this moment.

 

When I think about that, how precious the “now” is,

it feels incredibly valuable.

 

And since we can continue living by changing,

perhaps changing itself is a precious thing.

 

 

 

I closed my eyes.

Took a big, slow breath.

 

It’s okay,

I have a place to return to.

 

 

The sun is about to set, and night is coming.

 

Tonight’s dinner will be something warm,

and something delicious to eat.