Diaries Archives - Page 135 of 642

Cuban Emigres are Ignored by Cuba’s Government

There might not be many examples in the world of a government that remains totally indifferent to the grave fact that its citizens are emigrating en masse, except for Cuba that is.

Coffee and the Place it Holds in Cubans’ Lives

The first thing we Cubans like to do in the morning, as soon as we wake up, is to drink a cup of coffee. Many even go to work without anything else in their stomach.

Chickens and Their Understanding with Cubans

Chickens, these kind and tenacious poultry, have accompanied humans for centuries. In Cuba, we sometimes find them standing in for pets, or treated as a strictly commercial good.

Connect, disconnect

Walking down 5th Avenue in Havana with my earphones in, listening to music on my phone, wearing comfy clothes and a pair of tennis shoes, is all I need for an hour of therapy.

According to official statistics, Cuba’s Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) are the largest social organization in the country, with nearly 8 million members currently (out of a total population of 11.2 million), although they are more nominal than real.

Children Always Surprise Us

In the mornings I often go out to try and look for a few things I need at home. I walk to where the shops are, sort some things out and do a couple of other errands.

Cuba’s Transport in Crisis… Again!

Cuba’s transport crisis today isn’t news. We’ve been dealing with this evil for years, and there are generations of Cubans that don’t know any better. In the past, it’s been a shortage of buses, spare parts, not enough drivers, etc.

What are the UN and International Law any good for?

I’ve asked myself this question many a time and I can’t seem to find the answer. The UN General Assembly, which is made up of 193 Member States, can’t form binding agreements, or force its members to comply with them.

A Place in Havana Where Artists and Intellectuals are the Protagonists

Last weekend, a film series by Cuban film producer and director Ricardo Figueredo, was presented at the Hannah Arendt International Institute for Artivism (INSTAR), run by visual artist Tania Bruguera.

The Giant African Snail in Cuba, Something Must Be Done

Every morning, an 80-year-old woman wearing a long-sleeve shirt, work trousers, boots, hat, dark-rimmed glasses and rubber gloves, picks up a broom and dustpan that she has set aside just to catch the giant African snails that have invaded her backyard for over a year now.