Diaries Archives - Page 405 of 644

Spiritualists in Havana

On this day of celebrating Christ, people came early expecting the arrival of the time 12:12 p.m. on 12-12-12 as the numerological convergence of energy indicates.

Due to my inability to access the Internet, I had to read the comments and post titled “Controversy Around the Word ‘Terror’” in fragments and late. Still, I was left with the same questions turning around in my mind: Can fear be measured? What authority can demarcate where fear ends and terror begins?

My First Express Detention

Express Detentions are one of the instruments of repression that the government currently uses against the most active political opponents. They’ll lock you up, put you in jail for a few days, and then let you go without any explanation or document to reflect the time you’ve spent behind bars.

Chicken for Fish on the Cuban Ration Book

I don’t understand how a country like this, surrounded by the sea, has no fish. Years ago are they started selling chicken as a substitute for the rationed fish.

Reggaeton vs. Nueva Trova

The young trova singers got a nasty surprise when they saw the supposed audience — composed of younger people and teens — force them to cancel the concert with their repeated and upsetting manner of asking that those trova tunes be replaced by the now omniscient rhythms of reggaeton.

Cuba and the Cartel Effect

The word “cartel” refers to a form of monopoly, when multiple vendors in a market agree to keep prices high, regardless of demand. Such arrangements are becoming familiar in Cuba.

New Year’s and Havana Thieves

When the end of the year holidays approach, thieves enter the picture and begin stealing other people’s belongings. Of course they’re always around; it’s just that they’re more fervent at this time than during the rest of the year,

Restaurant Menu: Limited

I was trying to purchase three servings of fried chicken to go, but I didn’t want any sides because I already had some at home. This proved more difficult than I would have thought.

Sunsets on the Savanna

The vast Venezuelan savanna extends for hundreds of miles. At this time of year, the dry season, not all of the grass is that pleasing color of green. That’s why it was perhaps better to look towards the clouds, the sky and the sunsets – which I’m sharing with you. (12 photos)

The Right to Speak About God in Cuba

The question posed by Havana Times contributor Jose Iser concerning the tacit ban on playing of Christian music over the Cuban airwaves, started to “pick at one of my old scabs” (meaning it’s one of those sore points that never really heals because there’s no real cure or solution).