Welcome to episode 150 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Mario Cartaya shares his unique experience of returning to Cuba after 56 years, a journey that helped him recover suppressed childhood memories. This trip was unlike typical immigrant experiences because his subconscious had built a “vault” to protect him from the trauma of leaving Cuba. Upon revisiting familiar places from his youth, such as his homes, school, and parks, he found his memories resurfaced uncorrupted, complete with the original feelings. This regression provided him with insight into his early influences and inner peace, underscoring the importance of knowing one’s past. To prepare for the trip, his mom, who was still alive at the time, gave him pictures and the addresses of their old houses, schools, parks, etc. So he knew where to go. And the fortunate and unfortunate thing is that Cuba has been stuck in 1959, and the buildings look the same! The trip was quite an emotional experience for him and his two friends who went with him. He learned a lot about himself! Mario told me that he actually discovered who he was on that trip! With Love, Heidy   Connect with Mario: Website Book   Learn a new language with https://www.italki.com/ App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!    Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.    *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law   For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E   Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.