My Strange Journey to Gitmo (PHOTOS)

As President Trump sends migrants to Guantánamo Bay, with the promise to ship as many as 30,000 there, I started to think back on my time at the naval base and detention center in 2014. It wasn’t exactly what I expected.

One of the first things we saw when we landed to the naval base at Guantánamo Bay was...mini golf. There was also beach volleyball, a gift store and a bowling alley.

I was pretty surprised to stumble upon a skate park adjacent to one of the most notorious prisons in the world. Many people don't know there are American families who live at this naval base while serving in the military, so many of these activities are for them.

We ordered jerk chicken from this place.

We stumbled upon a couple of large reptiles while there. Apologies for my unfortunate hair situation here.

You're welcome for this close up. I couldn't help but think what it must have been like for detainees living in outdoor cells to see these animals walking past them. The migrants landing at Gitmo now will likely see them, too.

A sunset from the base.

I reflected on the slogans I'd see around the base, like this one: "Honor bound to defend freedom."

Update: Since recording this, nearly 200 Venezuelan migrants have been repatriated from Guantánamo Bay.