Osmel Almaguer's Diary Archives - Page 3 of 30

The Temptations of a Young Brazilian in a Favela

Fernando is my coworker. I still remember that when he first started, he was happy to have a source of income…

The Advantages of a Dental Plan in Brazil

The monthly amount to be paid is manageable for our family income, which currently is around 5,000 reais (about 800 US dollars)…

Brazil: A Country Without a Malt Beverage, or Almost…

During my first months in this country, I was quite affected by the fact that I couldn’t find malt beverages in the stores and markets.

A Visit to the Curitiba Zoo

The zoo in question houses many species of birds and primates native to this region, which for a Cuban like me were surprising.

Buying Glasses in Brazil

Given how bad healthcare is in Cuba, most of us spend our lives ignoring our health problems. However, since arriving in Brazil…

A Natural Paradise in the Heart of Curitiba, Brazil

Unlike Havana, where extensive green areas are a result of underdevelopment, Curitiba’s green spaces demonstrate why it is considered an ecological city.

The Garbage That Is No Longer Garbage, but Wealth

It might seem simple, but this shift in perspective completely transforms how citizens view sanitation workers.

How Holidays Are Celebrated in Brazil and Cuba

Before the Pope’s visit in 1996, there were only four official holidays in Cuba, three tied to the government and its “liberation struggles.”

Will Brazil Be the Next Venezuela?

The vast majority of Brazilians I know here in the south of the country are against Lula and his Workers’ Party.

Brazilians Take Advantage of the Night

I grew up hearing from my parents that in Cuba, people don’t work. At first, I didn’t understand why they would say that, but…