“Travel in that sense guides us toward a better balance of wisdom and compassion — of seeing the world clearly, and yet feeling it truly.” –Pico Iyer

Gabriela Tejeda is the founder and editor of the ‘Where to Next?’ travel blog. As a 20 year old ambitious female, she created the Where to Next? blog as a place to document and explore the Cuban culture. Gabriela grew up in the southern United States, and has spent time traveling around the America’s working in wildlife conservation. She is currently studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia, and hopes to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the culture and land.

Traveling is a unique opportunity for individuals to open their eyes and their minds to the everyday realities that people face around the globe. As a college student in the US, I am very fortunate to have such an opportunity to travel, however I know it is not the case for many. In addition to cultural awareness, traveling provides an opportunity for people to step away from their busy schedules, and relieve stress.

Cuba, located in the Caribbean, has been incredibly influential in the development of many 19th and 20th century musical styles around the globe. Through this blog, I hope to explore the origins of Cuban rhythms, as well as the influence music has had on the lives of the Cuban people and their culture throughout history.