I don't know whether it's bliss or awesomeness in the face of those acrobatic acts in which men and dolphins are the stars of a one-and-only show. Perhaps it's the emotion that swimming with these critters actually brings about. I can only say for sure that unforgettable day came over me with the discovery of its real essence, those basic feelings that lie rooted in love, friendship and communication among all the beings that roam the face of the earth.

If there's one thing I'm sure about after spending a whole day in this wonderful place of Varadero Beach –so hard to explain in just a few words- is that now I feel different and more connected to the universe.

There are countless stories and anecdotes linked to dolphins. Some are real; others are closely knit to fantasy and imagination. But even the former ones sometimes run wild and sound incredible to the ears of those who go at great lengths to pigeonhole things in the realm of rationale. It's true you can't embrace the richness of life in its full scope. The story of Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez comes to mind, that kid who became a symbol of the manipulations of the political exile, that little wrecked child who spent long hours on his own, clinging to a rickety boat in the middle of the choppy ocean with the sole companionship and protection of dolphins that kept sharks and other aggressive marine species at bay.

I have no intention whatsoever to delve into that kind of paranormal phenomena because I believe they belong –as I wrote at the top of this article- to the rich and ample planet we live on.

THE SHOW It was twenty years ago, on December 31, 1984, that the Varadero Dolphin Seaquarium came into being. From its original location in El Laguito when the only attraction then was a one-dolphin show, to its current headquarters at the Chapelin Marina, the whole place has spread rapidly in all directions and now puts on better spectacles in a nicer environment with more public, more history and more international recognition under its belt.

This is Cuba's first center of its kind to ever breed dolphins in captivity, and today this 11-dolphin show lures thousands of tourists every year (both children and adults alike) eager to live new emotions in this fun-packed place.

In all, the show is divided in two big acts: the dolphin show and the swim with the creatures. The first part features the classical display of acrobatic skills, animal intelligence and participation that includes drills, jumps through loops, a basketball match, hit hanging balls and catch flying rings with their snouts, jumps to push their trainers way above water surface, singing and dancing, and hugs between men and animals.

On the other hand, swimming with dolphins is really an experience for the books, something that touches the inner fabrics of both participants and spectators. It seems for a moment that time stands still as you watch dolphins play and caress with one another and with the swimmers. By the way, these dolphins are not only capable of tossing us up in the air, dragging us around the pond as we hold on tight to their fins, or just letting us take a ride on their broad spines. They also take us to a world of unknown emotions and sensations worth prying into.

Indeed, these spectacles and experiences in which you're a part of the show enshrine unfathomable values of their own. Yet the true charm can only be found deep down inside our hearts, in the process of communication between dolphins and trainers, and between critters and the public that gets in touch with them either directly or indirectly.

THE TRAINING Juan Antonio Montes de Oca (Tony), cofounder of the Dolphin Seaquarium twenty years ago, tells us there's no special psychology to work with these marine animals; it's exactly the same psychological tactics we play on humans –especially on kids who suffer from some kind of learning disability or mental disorder.

The intelligence of dolphins is laid bare during the training period. Once they learn the basic drills and their combination, the right place and timing for their performances, they can virtually work on their own. We must also bear in mind that dolphins are biologically active hunters whose reactions vary with each and every body move, gesture or eye movement, even with a different voice pitch and unusual behavioral patterns.

Patience and perseverance are two main requirements that trainers ought to keep in mind every step of the way. Furthermore, the training period usually takes between three to six months, depending on the character and the kind of activities they are taught to perform onstage. But, if the whole thing hinges on the fish they get in reward for their deeds, then what happens when they eat their fill? Trainers then turn to basic elements of interaction, such as confidence and discipline, two key players of the entire learning process.

During my once-in-a-lifetime swimming experience with dolphins, I noticed there are rules that trainers follow to the letter. First of all, they try to make dolphins' lives worth living and pleasant. I also noted the learning process does not rely solely on appetite satisfaction. There are also spiritual, sensorial and intellectual needs to be met, and they include trainers, dolphins and the public in general.

This is what Tony had to say about it: “I tell the boys they are the heroes for hundreds of people everyday and the judges on the bleachers are the ones that give them two enthusiastic thumbs up as a token of success and professionalism.”

A trainer is not only an actor. Above all else, he or she is a human being with a flair for teaching and making the magic of communication be the special charm of the whole show.

A DAY LIKE NO OTHER All of the above is nothing but a small glimpse at the enchantment this Varadero must-see spot really has to offer. The mere fact of entering the seaquarium brings up the same feeling of joy and happiness that has taken a hold on me every time I come here. Maybe it's the encounter with the living colors that naturally decorate the tropical environment, or perhaps it's the children's laughter that resound from the nearby amusement park. Come to think of it, it could be the state of satisfaction that overspills onto the grandstands. I could also say it probably has something to do with the fun and emotions you expect to find in there, little things that make me think there are indeed days like no others in a person's life, days that live forever in the minds and the hearts of those who have the chance of watching this breathtaking show.