Jorge Milanes’s Diary

Even though Cuban families have been slogging their way through very tough times, we recently celebrated a “Happy New Year”.

I went to the market today to pick up a packet of cigarettes and I could see the huge number of people lining up to buy eggs with their ration booklet.

Most people who hold positions at the CDR (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution) on my block, have aged. Others simply left the country.

Most State-run cafés in Cuba, clearly losing operations, have appeared on their last leg for many years. Jorge Milanes brings us one of the reasons why.

It’s been a while since I’ve been to the beach, but I decided to go to Santa Maria del Mar today, located in east Havana, as I was invited by my friends David, Javier and Daniel who are staying at Villa Coral.

“Good morning my brother, we here are here to bring you God’s word. Do you have time for us?” A man says to me, accompanied by another, who approach me outside my home when I’m on my way to work. They were holding some leaflets in their hands.

“I love them because I taught them the power of love and now, I can see the result,” Patricia says, an elderly neighbor who has been living alone for the past 15 years. She has two children: a girl and a boy who went to the US, but they have forgotten her.

Delays, impatience and even violence are protagonists in any situation Cubans find themselves in nowadays. It’s understandable given the number of people who congregate, for example, at Havana’s bus stops.

My work colleague came in today somewhat nervous, jittery and with half her face swollen.She’d been complaining about her wisdom tooth causing her a lot of pain for days, and she couldn’t bear it any longer, so she decided to go to the dentist today to get it taken out.

A few days ago, long lines peaked at bodega ration stores and markets in my neighborhood. This is because products are being sold outside the ration booklet and in regular Cuban pesos. People are trying to satisfy a need that has yet to come.