Conga & Lu : The Chronicles of Two Cubanas

From crushes to Castro, freedom to fear, barefoot feet to big city streets, follow the ordinary, yet extraordinary lives of two strong Cuban women – Conga & Lu, a true story of family, country, survival, and love.Conga’s idyllic childhood with a wealthy prestigious family in Havana is happy and carefree. Lu, a young black woman from rural Matanzas, becomes Conga’s nanny. Their bond will transcend age, race, and privilege. But when Fidel Castro assumes power, the revolution transforms Cuba forever, and their ties will be tested by distance and time.With her doll and some clothes, Conga and her brother are desperately flown to the United States among 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children during Operation Peter Pan. Conga must quickly adapt to poverty and a new culture, while holding on to Cuban roots in exile. Under Castro’s new government, Lu struggles to care for her own children. Beset by hardship, misfortune, heartbreak, and an endless search for a home and happiness, she never loses her positivity and faith.From the days before the revolution to the present, Conga and Lu’s indomitable spirits triumph over historic obstacles. After nearly sixty years, Conga returns and finds Cuba torn apart, her home unrecognizable, with the mysteries of her lost family and Lu’s whereabouts unsolved. Filled with tears, smiles, and memories, Conga’s past becomes the present. But will Lu will still be there?

Born Cuba Perez-Silva, Cuba Giblin left Havana in 1961 at the age of ten, one of over 14,000 unaccompanied minors that fled Cuba's Communist regime through Operation Peter Pan. She has since been devoted to the memories of her family's Cuban roots and culture. After living in Miami, Florida and Bridgeport, Connecticut, Cuba attended the University of Connecticut and the University of Bridgeport, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. She later graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Masters in Elementary Education, specializing in Reading for a Diverse Society. For the last forty years, Cuba has enjoyed teaching Kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as adult education. She is a National Board-certified teacher. Happily retired in Naples, Florida, she enjoys nature walks, reading, and living in the present moment. She is surrounded and uplifted by her children and grandchildren, who continue to keep her stories and traditions alive.

Monet Layton was born in Connecticut and grew up in Southwest Florida. After receiving her Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Florida, she worked as a Kindergarten and First grade teacher. She lives in Naples, Florida with her talented husband Tommy (who she knows is the better author in the family); their two incredible daughters, Havana and Eire; and their T.V.- watching wonder dog Kessel. Monet now spends much of her day driving her girls to school and swim practice, and talking on the phone with her sister Sterling. Monet loves the beach, Cuban food (especially ropa vieja), photography, party planning, teaching, traditions, being in the water, and above all else, her family.