Looking back on it . . . she would have been a perfect “plant.”

It was a beautiful evening – blue sky and mid-70s. All eighty of my conference attendees had been whisked from the Parque Central Hotel to Plaza Vieja in Old Havana in a convoy of bright yellow coco taxis, where they were greeted by a troupe of costumed stilt dancers and an Afro-Cuban band. The salsa beat was infectious as we crossed the cobblestone plaza to the restaurant that we had taken over exclusively for the night.

The reception was progressing nicely – mojitos were flowing and many of the guys (and a couple of women!) were lighting up hand-rolled cigars. Curious tourists and local kids watched from a distance, wondering, “who are these people?” As I often do, I was standing back – taking it all in with a sense of satisfaction after having spent countless hours fine-tuning the details of this important group. These are my “pay-off” moments … when everything has gone smoothly and my clients are happy.

A middle-age woman passed in front of me, crossing the plaza pushing a two-wheeled janitor’s cart, brooms protruding from a large gray trashcan. She wore a light blue blouse, black shorts and bright red leggings. She let go of her cart and started to dance.

She danced with joyous abandon. Not a trace of self-consciousness. No hint of, “is this appropriate? Am I crashing a private party? Should I be wearing bright red leggings at my age?”

The sweeper does the salsa!

This is a typical example of the spontaneous exuberance of the Cuban people. A typical example of why I love this country so much…and the reason why I go back again and again!

Here’s a video that captures the fun and spontaneity of this delightful destination!

And, I AM going back!  I’m planning a fantastic People-to-People journey (totally legal) which begins with the spectacular Halloween scene in South Beach (Miami) plus seven nights in Cuba. Dates are October 31 – Nov 8, 2014. Space is VERY limited. If you’re reading this – you get first dibs . . . let me know if you want the details (which will not be advertised to the public). Viva Cuba!