I was always an inveterate adventurer, and I was nostalgic for walking and retracing my steps, so I decided to visit the wonderful mountains of the Sierra de los Órganos (province of Pinar del Río, in Cuba). One of the most visited sites by nature lovers visiting our island.
In the month of August, the mountain weather was cool and pleasant, but sweat was running down my forehead. I didn't mind, I am always ready to enjoy new experiences, and it was worth it, what a surprise to see the diversity of plants and trees that adorned the slopes of these mountains. There were tree ferns, vibrantly colored orchids and palms so tall they seemed to touch the sky. One of the group members, a lover and connoisseur of botany, taught us to identify some species, but I decided to call each plant by a funny name. So, I named the "jumping flower", the "playful baby pine", and the "dancing moss"...
The most exciting part was yet to come. While walking along a trail, we discovered a deliriously delicious river. Without a second thought we jumped in to swim and enjoy the refreshing water, between pirouettes and somersaults, I encouraged my companions to take a good dip to wash away the dust of the trail. From a distance, the scenery is beautiful, but when you walk several kilometers up and down hills, the heat can become exhausting. And we are lucky to live in a land where there are no poisonous animals or large predators that could endanger our lives. I don't know if in distant times this river was home to some species of crocodile. I promise to investigate.
There were moments of calm and contemplation when we stopped at various viewpoints to admire the beauty of the landscapes. From the top of the mountains, to see how the valleys stretched out before our eyes, covered with vegetation and among this, small meandering rivers. The sun reflected on the leaves of the vegetation as if they were dots of green silver, a dazzling spectacle.
During the journey, we had the opportunity to meet several people living in small communities in the mountains. Very humble and hospitable people, sharing stories, traditional foods and songs of repentistas in tenths (one of the treasures of our culture). I felt welcomed and very grateful for the affection of these people, who enjoy the luxury of living in perfect harmony with the nature that surrounds them.
I think I am ready to move to such a place. I wonder if you live in the city or in nature, and I would love to know how you feel about it, would you go to live in the middle of the mountains, why, if you are a country dweller, would you abandon a natural environment to live in the city?
