85 Days in Cuba

About the Book

After finishing three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica, Brandon went to Cuba to visit his best friend and to learn Spanish. In this memoir he tells how he:

...deals with his fears.
Would we make it to the plane on time? Would I be arrested by the U.S. before I got to Cuba?

...learns about being poor.
There wasn't any toilet paper in the shop so I went to the dollar store and bought four rolls for two dollars. I couldn't believe that in order to wipe, someone would have to spend over an eighth of their monthly earnings.

...tries to find a Spanish class.

...is enthralled with his friend's cousin.
Her hair caressed her soft, brown shoulders. She looked straight at me and smiled as though she knew me. Already weak from the heat and rum, I almost collapsed.

...learns about Cuban laws.
Carlos would be charged one thousand, five hundred United States dollars and they could confiscate his house because I had been staying there.

About the Author

Brandon Valentine attended McCook Community College in southwest Nebraska and received a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Black Hills State in Spearfish, South Dakota. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica for three years. 85 Days in Cuba is his first effort at writing.