Jorge Milanes’s Diary

When the Revolution triumphed in Cuba, a system to distribute products and food was implemented and regulated by the State to ensure that every Cuban had food, clothes and shoes, relying on the Rations Booklet. Even though other countries in Socialist Europe had also implemented this system.

I recently heard about “Discoabuelos”, an activity which as the name implies is a space where older adults can go to move their bones, dance, unwind, like when they were younger. Alamar’s Discoabuelo, which is run by the Cuban Artex company at the En Guanyabera Cultural Center, takes place every Tuesday from 12-4 PM

He walks down Havana’s streets with his strong brows, like flecks of sun, with this large moustache and hair gone silver due to time and Colombian airs. He has lived through difficult times…

Mango is a strong man, with a kind nature and friendly face. He is 78 years old but his physical build allows him to take on the hard labor of a delivery man, a job which involves taking market purchases to families who hire him.

Elsa arrived at Havana airport and when she got to baggage reclaim, she discovered that there was a hole in one of the suitcases. She didn’t know what to do. She felt lost and after thinking about it for some time, she decided to not make a complaint.

Cuban TV shows images of foreign people and communities living in extreme poverty in order to make us see how disadvantaged they are due to government’s with little or no political will to help them. The objective is to obviously put them into contrast with Cuba.

Daniel surprised me a few days ago with a copy of his first book which I have just finished reading: Oscar Wilde, the critic as an artist and other essays.

Since the beginning of this year, I have been remembering the articles I used to write for Havana Times. I really miss writing them as I’ve been away due to a series of personal setbacks which, in taking them on, have been a challenge for me.

At lunch time, I walk around near my place of work in search of a coffee shop or restaurant where I can eat. Finding one isn’t always easy for, though there are many private and State establishments in Havana, I can’t always afford eating there and I have to like the place.

“The situation is black,” an elderly woman says to another while choosing tomatoes at a market stand, referring to how difficult things are and, as the context suggests, the high price of food products.