The other afternoon, my husband and I decided to take advantage of my absolute favorite time of day and head out for a walk to the famous Puente Flotante (the Floating Bridge).
When this bridge first opened, it was the coolest thing ever. To us Cubans, it was this super modern, interactive novelty. We all flocked to it.
Fast forward to today, and let’s just say it has gained a lot of "character." It’s currently missing quite a few wooden planks, turning a romantic sunset stroll into a casual game of "watch your step or test your swimming skills."
My husband and I had to navigate it with the precision of secret agents, laughing at how a simple walk became a mini obstacle course.
But honestly, that’s just part of the charm, because looking around, you are immediately reminded of what makes this place so special.
While kids in so many other parts of the world are glued to screens, locked in air-conditioned rooms, and completely obsessed with the internet, Cuban kids live in a totally different reality.
Right there by the Malecón, the coast is their playground. You see them diving into the water, laughing, and showing off. Walk a block inland, and there’s a high-stakes soccer match happening right in the middle of the street. Turn another corner, and someone has music playing, and the kids are just dancing, completely in the zone.
No tablets, no algorithms, just pure, old-school fun.
By 8:00 PM, as the sky turned those gorgeous shades of pink and orange, we headed back. Between dodging the holes in the bridge and watching the neighborhood kids just enjoy being kids, it was the perfect reminder that the best things in life are simple—and usually happen outdoors.