Last week I celebrated my 23rd birthday and for the first time in a very long time, I didn’t spend my birthday fighting depression.

Every year on my birthday, seasonal depression hits me like a brick. I use to blame it on the fact that fall finals always took place around my birthday. Y’all know finals time will have you contemplating ending it all lol.

A week before my birthday, I felt it happening. Feeling less than enough. Sad for no reason. Wanting to stay in bed all day. Picking at my flaws. Withdrawing from the things I enjoy. These are all signs that my depression is creeping in. This year, I decided to fight those thoughts before they got too far. I dedicated time to practice affirmation and reminded myself of all the things I’ve accomplished. I pushed myself from staying in bed all day and looked for reasons to go out.

To celebrate myself and avoid the “cloud” I decided (very last minute) to take a quick trip to Havana, Cuba. Cuba was on my list of countries to visit for a very long time, it’s only a 50-minute flight and reminds me of home, Haiti.

Although the trip was very short, Saturday-Monday, I enjoyed Cuba so much. It reminded me of home, the people were nice and the food was amazing. I can’t wait to go back. Special shoutout to my best friend Nikki (@itsnikki_g) for coming along with me

Check out part 1 of my trip

The visa process

The visa process was super easy. If you didn’t already know, in order to travel to Cuba from the United States, you must have a visa as well as a reason for traveling. Also, you must have health insurance. My flight was with Delta and they made the entire process super easy.

When I purchased my ticket, I was asked to choose a reason for my trip out of all the following choices. From my online research, most tourists use the “Support for the Cuban people” option. What that basically means is to support independent activities such as local independently-owned businesses, staying at an Airbnb or Casa and avoiding military-owned businesses..etc.

12 CATEGORIES OF AUTHORIZED TRAVEL TO CUBA FOR AMERICANS

• Family visits
• Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research and professional meetings
• Educational activities
• Religious activities
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
• Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.

Having done my research, I booked using this option. Delta provides health insurance by automatically including it in the ticket purchase. They inform you that you should carry the boarding pass with you as it provides proof of insurance. This is a service Delta provides, other airlines might be different.

The visa cost was $50, which I was able to purchase at the check-in kiosk at the airport. It’s super easy and quick. You purchase the visa through the kiosk, take the receipt given, bring the receipt to the bag drop-off location and they will provide you with the actual visa.

Remember the option you choose when booking your flight. Immigration will ask you “the purpose for you visit” and giving an answer other than what’s stated can cause some issues.

I hope this post was helpful. If you have any questions, DM me on IG @bellarosablog or email me bellarosablog.com

CREDITS: Some information was provided by expertvagabond.