Diaries

Life’s Many Surprises

As a physically challenged person, I’ve seen many things, and many haven’t been so good. If we add the time I’ve been a member of the Cuban Association for the Physically Impaired (ACLIFIM), dealing with people who, like myself, endure motor disabilities, addressing their social, material and even spiritual needs, we could say I’ve basically “seen it all.”

Read More

A Telescope and My First Time in Cuba

Though the things Cubans most crave have varied in dependence of the priorities and fads of the time and individual aspirations, a house and a car have been the top two since I have use of reason. In my case, it’s also been a telescope. (6 photos)

Read More

On Fumigation and Garbage in Havana

We have to acknowledge the efforts the State is making with its fumigation and public health campaigns. These huge sums of money, however, will continue to be flushed down the toilet until garbage collection units begin to do their job. (27 photos)

Read More

With the Oil Bust, Venezuela Sells its Life

In the midst of the crisis, the government is announcing it will begin extracting coal, gold, diamonds and coltan in Zulia and southern Venezuela, because oil prices are very low and because we’ve already used up the country’s reserves.(26 photos)

Read More

To Beg or Work with Love

I am convinced that mediocrity does not actually exist. That is to say, I do not believe mediocrity stems from something we lack. It is, at most, a choice. We all have a unique gift, which could be as simple as having a pleasant personality, the ability to give others hope.

Read More

Cuba: Flies, Flies and More Flies

On the dirty doorjamb of a tenement building in Havana, right across from a produce and meat market, after the rain stops, two flies – Trash and Spit – have a chat. A heat wave rises from the asphalt.

Read More