I traveled to Havana, Cuba, in April 2016 with the University of Maine in Augusta; it was shortly after President Obama's visit as things were starting to change.

The people's spirits were high and they were hopeful for the changes to come, joyfully proclaiming things such as, "Obama, best president in the whole world!" and assuring us "Cuba opens their heart to America," but in my heart I feared for them.

Our tour guide said it as follows, "there is a light at the end of the tunnel, let us hope it is not a train." 

The people of Cuba are so gentle-natured, their doors always open and the streets are abuzz with conversation late into the night. Time didn't seem to matter anymore, and I fell more in love with Cuba with each passing moment, the life that it possessed, almost contagious.

The old cars, rum, cigars, the ability to hold conversations with out the interruption of a Facebook notification or a new text, it was a breath of fresh air. In my heart, I know that these things will begin to change as time passes and America's influence grows heavier.

The best adventures were surely found when my roommate, Annie, and I would venture off during our time away from the tour. We found ourself creating memories with the locals and finding magical little spots hidden from the passing tourists.

One night, with a craving for something cheap to eat that didn't include rice or beans, we found ourselves standing on the corner talking out which street to look down next. We were approached by two locals.

They introduced themselves and quickly assured us they knew the best pizza, we had nothing to lose so we followed their lead. Before long we found ourselves at a little pizza place called Don Salvatore. We offered to buy our new found friends, Rene and Yobanni, a meal and together we sat around the table representing two countries who had been long divided.

Despite a slight language barrier at first, we found ourselves laughing, singing, even dancing as we were the only customers there during the late hour of the night.

As they walked us back to our hotel, the singing and the dancing continued and we merrily laughed as Rene and I went back and forth trying to teach each other new words. It was a beautiful experience that we will never forget. When life gives you a spark of adventure, light a fire. 

The Cuban people are proud of their country, they are proud of who they are, and they desire to be treated with respect.

Cuba is a magical place that will leave you speechless with tears in your eyes. Tear of joy, tears of sorrow, and as you make your way back to the airport your heart will ache a little, because Cuba is a lover, it holds you tight and will remind you of a better time.

It is my hope to soon be releasing a book of my images, though the exact deadline has not yet been set. There are no words that do justice to the way Cuba makes an individual feel, so it is my hopes that soon, through images, you too can feel just a hint of the magic.  

Maleah Chadwick, 24, was born and raised in Maine. She has an incurable case of wanderlust and trusty Canon to capture the moments that words don't do justice.