Author: Rosa Martínez

I don’t know whether this has ever happened to you too, but I haven’t gone to see a loved one in the first few days of their sickness because my financial situation hasn’t allowed me to buy a juice, malanga or something else we normally take to the afflicted on the island.

When I read the headlines on several media here, the first thing I thought was: of course, they don’t give a damn if we continue to fight with the yumas (USA) since at the end of the day, they (the highest in command, those who decide the country’s future) have everything they need, their families too.

It will be Father’s Day on Sunday here in Cuba, but, of course, it doesn’t have as much impact or coverage by the media as Mother’s Day. Here’s a few comments on the subject.

It’s pretty incredible but it’s true, there are hardly any more rafts heading towards the United States; I imagine that few would risk leaving for South or Central America to then head on to that country that used to take in every Cuban that reached its territory, whether by sea or land.

Ever since Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, which almost destroyed Santiago de Cuba and caused severe damage in the other eastern provinces, and left my house trembling as it nearly tore off the roof all of a sudden, we haven’t been able to take a break.

Entrance exams for university took place about 15 days ago here in Cuba. Thousands of young people from every province are waiting to find out what course they will get, their future depends on it, the future of this country too.

In Cuba, May 1st is a national holiday, and one of the celebrations that belong to ordinary Cuban people, who stay in the street after the parade to celebrate International Workers’ Day with music and beer.

A few months ago, two young English couples, who had decided to visit Guantanamo city on their way to Baracoa, the main tourist attraction in the province, wanted to first stop by my home in order to meet my family.

A few weeks ago, Gissel, my youngest daughter, brought a classmate home to spend the Saturday with our family. As it was the first time she had visited us, we decided to prepare a decent lunch, within our possibilities of course.

The Cuban school year 2016-2017 reached its final stage. When students return from Victory Week vacations (mid-April) they will face the final months of this stage which includes final exams, extra-curricular work, entrance exams and others.