Cuba is a small archipelago in the Caribbean, which the world hardly spoke of before 1959. It was one of the poorest, most underdeveloped, illiterate and unhealthy countries in the world, which was only any good for foreign agricultural companies (mostly US) for 60 years, who made great profits at the expense of Cuban peasants’ hunger and misery.
Read MoreOn November 10th, it had been a whole year since the appalling experience I was forced to have, which not only attacked me directly but also freedom of speech in Cuba, adding one more page to an already ample file of violations against citizens.
Read MoreA few days ago, I was reading Havana Times when I came across an article on the home page that mentioned an episode of TV comedy show “Vivir del cuento” (Living by one’s wits). Even though I normally keep well away from Cuban TV, I had heard some good comments about that episode in particular, starring the popular Panfilo.
Read MoreIn the nearly 30 years after Fidel declared a state of “Special Period in Peace Time”, we have received aid from many brotherly nations along this difficult journey, especially Venezuela, but not even low oil prices could help us get back up on our feet and not have to depend on foreign powers again…
Read MoreA friend who is leaving asked my husband and I to meet at the National Museum of Fine Art to say goodbye. In front of the entrance, of huge glass windows, what should have been a hug became an unexpected greeting: “Nobody outside of Havana knows what Law 349…
Read MoreThe 26th edition of the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Festival in Havana took place from October 28th until November 6th, a biennial event that gathers a large number of companies and the world’s best principal dancers of this classical dance.
Read MoreThe Fidelista concept of “revolution” is very well-known here as it has been widely spread. I especially like some aspects. However, it’s more of a poetic discourse rather than a concept in itself, which is fiction in Cuba’s case because it wasn’t applied, isn’t being applied and there are currently no signs that it will be applied in the future. In this article, I will only refer to one of its claims: “Revolution is never lying or violating ethical values…”
Read MoreI have had a temporary visa to stay in Venezuela for some years now. I could have got a Resident visa three years ago at least. With my temporary visa, I have to go every year to renew it and, as a result, get a new card made. If I already had my Permanent Residency, I would be able to put this pesky piece of bureaucratic redtape off for five years. But, things aren’t always what you want them to be…
Read MoreI was watching the famous US TV sitcom Sex and the City for the second time and I began to analyze my own thoughts on sex and the way I have accepted it in my life. In one episode, they were talking about a “sex buddy”, someone who you only need to have orgasms, as their company otherwise might not lead to anything else, as well as being boring.
Read MoreI was about to arrive at my destination, I had been traveling for 5 hours and I still thought sitting in the front seat of a taxi driving through a strange city was hard to believe. It was a 29-kilometer journey to the Sheraton Hotel. The driver had a neat and tidy appearance, and he seemed like a tour guide more than a driver because he answered every one of my questions…
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