Erika Barris

And he says he could have left Cuba.

But he was like, why leave when I can study and maybe even influence this giant economic experiment?

And that's what he was doing when Cuba started shaking up its friend group again.

Because Fidel Castro, Cuba's original communist leader, got sick and his brother Raul took over.

Stay communist, but get a little more capitalist.

Open up some more.

Crank up this capitalism thing.

And try to bring in more tourists.

The government updated a list of jobs people were allowed to hold.

Now they had almost 200 options, like a barber.

Someone who dresses up in Old Havana for a tourist is like a fortune teller or an old school dandy.

Specific musical acts for the now medium-sized and still growing tourism industry.

Still, Raul is actually talking to the United States around this time.

President Obama starts to loosen restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba, and Cuba's private sector grows even bigger.

He started a company called Citicleta, hosting bike tours in the capital.

Big groups riding their bikes through the streets of Havana with him.

Everyone seems happy.

Cuba looks beautiful.

There's just, you know, general good vibes.

Frenemies!