Salsa & Sunshine

Around the World
Written by Kelci

The quote “To dance is to be yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful” - Agnes De Mille

Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.

Welcome, curious travelers and rhythm seekers, to this sun-soaked chapter of the Around the World journey. This series is a global dive into the essence of every country, one brief stop at a time, so we can better understand the world we share, and maybe even ourselves along the way.

Today’s destination? “Salsa & Sunshine.” We’re heading into the heart of warmth and movement, where Caribbean shores and Central rhythms weave cultures that dance far beyond borders.

Join me as we touch down in Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, and Guatemala. Each place pulsing with heritage, flavor, and stories that sing through the streets. Let’s step into their light.

My hand-drawn flag of Cuba

CUBA

Official language: Republic of Cuba

Pronunciation: kyoo-buh

Capital: Havana

Official language: Spanish

Location: Island country in the Caribbean near coast of Florida in the Northern Hemsiphere

Surrounding countries: Near Bahamas, USA, Jamaica, Mexico

Most known for: Its vintage cars, salsa, and rumba

Fun fact: Home to the world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird

Recent news article: Cuban scientists race against time to save fish as old as the dinosaurs (Alien Fernandez, 2025)

My knowledge: A little bit about Cuba

My hand-drawn flag of Dominican

DOMINICA

Official language: Commonwealth of Dominica

Pronunciation: daa-muh-nee-kuh

Capital: Roseau

Official language: English

Location: Island country in Eastern Caribbean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines

Most known for: Known for being “Nature Island” in the Caribbean due to its rainforests, volcanoes, and natural hot springs

Fun fact: Has the world’s second-largest boiling lake

Recent news article: Discover Dominica Authorite Launches “Nature of Love” Campaign (Brian Major, 2025)

My knowledge: Not too much

My hand-drawn flag of the Dominican Republic

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Official language: República Dominica

Pronunciation: duh-mi-nuh-kuhn ruh-puh-bluhk

Capital: Santo Domingo

Official language: Spanish

Location: In Central Caribbean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Haiti

Most known for: Baseball and beaches

Fun fact: Oldest country in the Americas

Recent news article: Why Is The Dominican Republic Seeing A Record High in 2025? (Shannon Dawson, 2025)

My knowledge: I know bits and pieces

My hand-drawn flag of El Salvador

EL SALVADOR

Official language: The Republic of El Salvador

Pronunciation: ehl sal-vuh-dor

Capital: San Salvador

Official language: Spanish

Location: In Central America on the western side in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Guatemala and Honduras

Most known for: Being “Land of Volcanoes”

Fun fact: Smallest country in Central America

Recent news article: El Salvador: The Making Of A Sovereign Nation (Efrat Fenigson, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not very familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Grenada

GRENADA

Official language: Grenada

Pronunciation: bruh-naa-duh

Capital: Saint George’s

Official language: English

Location: Island country on Eastern portion of the Caribbean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Saint Vincent and Grenadines and Barbados

Most known for: Being the home of spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon. Even nicknamed “Spice Isle”

Fun fact: Home to a lake in a volcano, known as Grand Etang Lake and Lake Antoine

Recent news article: Aquanauts Grenada launches “Roots-to-Reef Retreats” at DEMA Show 2025 (Mark Evans, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not very familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Guatemala

GUATEMALA

Official language: The Republic of Guatemala

Pronunciation: gwaa-tuh-maa-luh

Capital: Guatemala City

Official language: Spanish

Location: Central American country location on the western side in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras

Most known for: Their ancient ruins

Fun fact: Considered to be the birthplace of chocolate as it was seen as “food of the Gods”

Recent news article: Archaeologist’s uncover unique mosaic Patella board in Guatemala, redefining Maya gaming traditions (Dario Radley, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not too familiar

From the vibrant beats of Havana to the misty highlands of Guatemala, this journey through Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic,El Salvador, Grenada, and Guatemala. It reminds us that culture isn’t just preserved, it’s lived, danced, and shared out loud. These are countries that prove joy can be resistance, rhythm can be memory, and sunshine isn’t just weather, it’s a way of life.

I’d love to hear from you though, have you visited, lived in, or are you from any of these countries? Drop your experiences, favorite moments, or tips in the comments.

And don’t miss our next flight in the Around the World series, it takes off in just two days. If you interested in seeing future flights, click here. Until next time!

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***

I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions on the page, I handed a few of them over to others and got curious about where their minds would go. There were no right answers and nothing anyone was supposed to figure out (the norm and same with my polls). I just wanted to see what might happen when different people were given the same information. And well… you tell me 💛 You Tell Me is now live • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #YouTellMe #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Curiosity #LetsTalk
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another possibility All Things Considered brings me to one more question What happens when considered what we reasonably can and there are still things we may never know? It’s the final chapter (aside from the bonus post coming out this coming Thursday) of For What It’s Worth, and maybe the most personal question I’ve asked myself along the way 💛 Read All Things Considered, now live | Part IIII | Week 43 | For What It’s Worth series • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #AllThingsConsidered #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #SelfReflection #Curiosity
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about perception, perspective, and how much of another person any one of us really gets to see Different doesn’t necessarily mean someone has it wrong Sometimes it’s just means there’s more than one experience in the room 💛 Read “Same Difference” is now live | Part III | Week 42 | For What It’s Worth series | • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #SameDifference #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Perception PersonalReflectio
Every story has a storyteller And no matter how honest we try to be, there’s only so much of an experience we can fit into the version we tell someone else Long Story Short, the second chapter of For What It’s Worth, had me thinking abo
Every story has a storyteller And no matter how honest we try to be, there’s only so much of an experience we can fit into the version we tell someone else Long Story Short, the second chapter of For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about perspective, context, and what happens when complicated experiences have to become much shorter stories Maybe the shorter version can still be true The question is what might fit inside it. 💛 Read “Long Story Short” (now live) | Part II | Week 41 | For What It’s Worth series | • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #LongStoryShort #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #ContextMatters #PersonalReflection
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p Every story has a storyteller And no matter how honest we try to be, there’s only so much of an experience we can fit into the version we tell someone else Long Story Short, the second chapter of For What It’s Worth, had me thinking abo
Kelci

Hi, I’m the creative mind behind Inspire Those Who Inspire You!

I’m a curious soul with a love for creativity, meaningful moments, and life’s little adventures.

I’ve always enjoyed taking in the world around me, noticing the little (often forgotten) details, and learning something new along the way. I’m fascinated by different cultures, countries, and the people who make each place unique. There’s so much to discover beyond our own little corners of the world, and I hope to experience as much of it as I can.

I’m happiest when I’m doing a little bit of everything. Give me an early morning sunrise, a good swim, a peaceful walk-through nature, or an interesting mystery novel, and I’m pretty content. I love a productive day, appreciate a good cup of coffee, and have a soft spot for animals, especially penguins, frogs, turtles, and a growing list of other fascinating creatures.

I also enjoy finding humor in life’s unexpected moments, especially the ones that don’t go quite as planned. Some of my blond moments have turned into hilarious moments because sometimes all you can do is laugh, and I certainly have plenty of opportunities to do that!

When it comes to creativity, I love experimenting and seeing where an idea takes me. Whether I’m writing, taking photographs, or creating colorful abstract artwork, I enjoy the freedom to explore without worrying about how something is supposed to turn out. Sometimes there’s a story or deeper meaning behind what I create, and other times I simply enjoy the process.

Over the years, I’ve learned to take life a little less seriously, appreciate my individuality, and understand that kindness and personal boundaries can coexist. Being considerate of others matters to me, but so does treating myself with that same respect.

I value genuine connections, curiosity, kindness, and the little things that make each of us unique. One of the things I appreciate most about people is how differently we experience the world. Our interests, experiences, and perspectives all contribute to who we are, and I find that fascinating.

I tend to keep certain parts of my life personal, but this little corner of the internet gives me a place to share some of my interests, experiences, and creativity with others.

All in all, I’m glad you found your way here!

http://www.inspirethose.com
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