Transformative Healing: How a Group Trip to Cuba Changed My Life
Guest blog by Michelle Lancor
Riding in the Coco Taxi in Havana, Cuba
On August 15th , 2023, I received a call that would forever change my life. A call I dreaded would possibly happen one day, but always thought in the back of my head it wouldn’t.
Until it did.
I received a call from my husband, Troy's, oncologist telling me that his Melanoma that we thought he was in remission from had moved into his brain. Three very long weeks later on September 5, 2023, my sweet angel passed away, only two days short of his 60th birthday.
I thought that I would never be able to move forward. I literally lost my world and the love of my life that day. That following week was a complete blur, but the number of friends and family that came to support us and pay their condolences was both overwhelming and heartwarming. The next few months would be a complete roller coaster, with my daughter, Samantha’s, bridal shower (which was supposed to be the day of Troy’s funeral), her wedding, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Michelle and her husband, Troy, in 2017
“I felt like there was no time for grief or time for me to process. I just had to move and do all that was needed of me and keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
On a Tuesday in December, I received a call from my niece, Crystal. At first, I panicked as to why she would be calling me during the day on a weekend. Hesitantly, I answered, praying it wasn’t bad news. Thankfully, as soon as I answered, I heard a very excited and happy voice on the other line.
Crystal told me that she had some exciting news for me. She had entered me into a contest for a free trip to Cuba for someone impacted by cancer. It was a trip that was donated by someone named Elizabeth, a generous woman who was supposed to go on the trip but had to cancel. Elizabeth also lost her husband to cancer back in 2019, and she wanted to use this as an opportunity to pay it forward by donating her spot to someone who could use a vacation.
So, with the help of Laura Ericson and the amazing group trips that she plans, together they created a Pay it Forward for Cancer trip contest with the winner getting an all expenses paid trip to Cuba for them and a friend.
And amazingly, I won.
Yes, at first, I was like, “CUBA? Can you even travel from the U.S. to Cuba?.”
Yes, you can when you travel with the right people, like Laura.
Our group at la Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, Cuba
I had a lot of anxiety about the trip, and I was scared, but I also knew this was something I would have never planned for myself. I knew this was meant to be. I was able to invite one person to come with me, and I had only one choice: my niece, Crystal.
On January 7, 2024, Crystal and I flew to Cuba on what I called the beginning of my healing journey. To call it that it was is saying it lightly.
“From the minute we stepped foot in Cuba, I was in love with this polarizing country. It’s beautiful yet heartbreaking, clean but dismantled, and safe but intimidating all at the same time.”
We did a meet and greet happy hour with our group in the first few hours, and I quickly realized that these people would become more than travel companions–they’d become my friends. Right from the beginning, we laughed and cried, and then we laughed some more.
Michelle and her niece, Crystal, in Cuba
We learned in the first few days all about Cuba and its history, which was a big highlight of the trip. It was amazing to see how Cuban people live and how much they struggle but are still truly so thoughtful, welcoming, and kind. We all take for granted the everyday things that we can do, such as being able to get food at a grocery store, medicine from a pharmacy when we are sick, or to be able to run to McDonalds for a burger when we just don’t feel like cooking.
Cubans have none of this.
On our way to the countryside, we joined a local family at their farm for a pig roast, where, despite just meeting, we were treated like family. We were able to play with the animals and eat delicious food cooked by these gracious people. It was here that we were able to give back to them for the first time by giving out supplies and clothing.
“To see how much the littlest things meant to the Cuban people was not only heartwarming, but incredibly inspirational.”
The second part of our journey was to Viñales, where we got to meet and really immerse ourselves with the Cuban people by staying with host families. We were welcomed into their homes, we were fed amazing meals, and saw first-hand how they get by with very little. The families our group stayed with could not have been sweeter or kinder. We literally were living in their homes and they offered us everything they could, which meant even more knowing how little they have and how hard they all have to work for everything they own.
Michelle and Changa, a Cuban cowboy, during our give back day
During our stay, we were able to explore and learn all about how they produce cigars, honey, and coffee at a local tobacco farm. We spent an entire day learning about the farm, smoking amazing cigars, drinking delicious coffee and rum, eating more farm to table meals, playing dominoes with the cowboys, and dancing the afternoon away while we sipped mojitos. We rode horses, hiked up a mountain to a hidden cave, and just had the most relaxing day.
The following evening, I finally felt a sign from Troy. We went to a local organic farm for dinner, and the sunset views were more than I can put into words. While we were walking around the farm and learning about their struggles and how they arranged their vegetables, herbs and flowers, this little girl who lived on the farm walked up to me with the most beautiful flower. It was in that moment that I knew Troy was right by my side. She chose me out of 10 women to give this flower to, and it was one of the sweetest moments I’ve had in a very long time.
“They say you get signs of a loved one after they pass–you just need to look for them. This one was definitely one of those signs.”
Michelle and a local Cuban girl in Viñales, who gifted her a flower
This trip was a true gift to me, and it was more than I would have thought I would ever do in my life. It was exactly what I needed at the time, and it truly was the beginning of my healing journey.
Yes, Troy is still gone, and I am and will forever be missing him and dealing with all kinds of grief. But this country and this trip not only opened my eyes up to a different way of living—it taught me that life is not about what you lack, but what you make of what you do have.
If you have a chance to go to Cuba and see this beautiful country, I highly recommend it. I also recommend traveling out of your comfort zone to see what this beautiful world we live in has to offer us.
Thank you, Laura, Andres, Cassie and Ronnie, for not only opening up your hearts and lives, but also for showing us so much love and friendship as well. And thank you to Elizabeth for giving me the gift of travel and choosing me for this once in a lifetime opportunity. I love you all so much!
Want to join us on our next adventure to Cuba? Check out our current group trip offerings below.
Michelle is a travel enthusiast from Schaumburg, Illinois. She loves spending time at her cabin in Lake Holcombe, Wisconsin, as well as boating, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. She loves the outdoors and all kinds of wildlife. Her dream is to go to Africa for a safari and to see Giraffe Manor, and to Uganda to see the gorillas. You can connect with Michelle in my Facebook travel group for women, Lola Loves Travel.