Diaries Archives - Page 449 of 647

Carlos Saladrigas and Dialogue Between Cubans

“What could I possibly have in common with this man?” was the thought that crossed my mind — almost immediately — when I met Carlos Saladrigas a couple months ago.

Breaking Inertia by Inertia

I’ve gone a while without writing. I had to concentrate on coming up with a some quick pesos, which sometimes isn’t easy. As a result — being outside the realm of news, blogs, activism and reflection — I lost my momentum.

Selling Violence vs. Selling Its Absence

On the news, here in Cuba, it was reported that an American student used a machine gun to shoot five of his classmates – two of whom later died. Though the incident was unfortunate, so too is what lies behind the apparent “humanity” of its reporting.

A Moment of Patriotism

I’m rarely happy. But despite having gotten a tooth taken out, and even though I’m still under the influence of drugs, I’m pleased to have been attended by “Dr. K.” I’m writing about him not because he asked me to, but because I somehow find it satisfying to talk about the good work done by a specialist.

The German “Artist” Who Kidnapped Grandma

Her name is Kueka, and grandfather Kueka is hoping she returns. The entire Pemon community is also hoping she comes back, but more than waiting, they’re demanding her return.

An Anticlimactic Mass

The square wasn’t filled. In fact there weren’t enough people to even cover the central area, which was the reserved section that had been fenced off for workers from various workplaces, those who had been diligently “summoned” by the government to show up early.

Cuba, An Island of Euphemisms

Euphemisms (which are of course words and expressions used for replacing other ones that are considered bad sounding, distasteful or inappropriate), are commonly used in Cuba, especially by those seeking to avoid “annoying interpretations.”

Cuban Writers’ Journal Calls for “Screwing”

“Let’s screw, my love, let’s screw right now // because we were born to screw…” These are lines that appeared in the magazine Union, the journal of the Union of Artists and Writers of Cuba. These words are from the voice of the Pietro Aretino, a poet that date backs to the Italian Renaissance.

Lousy International Contracts for Cuban Musicians

Despite the poor working conditions, succeeding at signing one of these super-exploitative contracts is a big deal for any member of the precarious community of Cuban musicians.

Why We Get So Bothered over Fumigating

The campaign against the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the priority of our country’s Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, which is under the Ministry of Public Health. Hoards of work crews are engaged in the campaign against this carrier of dengue fever, yellow fever and other diseases.