Diaries Archives - Page 481 of 647

Disadvantages of Letting Go of Power

When the use of political power granted to a person becomes indiscriminate, there always comes a day of reckoning. Like life itself, that power is not perpetual.

Conversations over Ice Cream

A few days ago I went by the Coppelia ice cream parlour, and surprisingly there was no one waiting to go in. I couldn’t resist the temptation to enter that palace of deserts without lining up.

Everything Was Supposedly Ready

TV announcers seem more like life-size carnival puppets, perhaps because of the two-dimensional characters that they present on camera with their affected makeup and especially the poses of satisfaction or sorrow that they feign according to the news story.

More Details on Destroying Woods for Officials’ Homes

The Guardabosques Project has discovered more information about the cutting down of a grove of casuarinas trees in the town of Santa Fe. For the time being, all of the construction work has halted.

Cellphone Blues

In my friend Magaly’s opinion: “You have to have a goal for maintaining a cellphone line in Cuba, and my main goal is to stay in touch with my daughter who lives in the United States?”

But Where Are You Going Lady!

Robin is the driver for an important trade union leader. In our conversation we shared jokes and exchanged anecdotes. He even made a few confessions about his job that he’s had for three decades since he was eighteen.

Camila Would Rather Forget

Camila Estrada is happy now. After having been dogged by domestic violence for years, again she’s enjoying the company of her family. It’s like a dream from which she doesn’t want to wake.

The Universe in Our Image

With a long cut on her face, she seemed to have nothing to do with me; nevertheless the two of us were entering the church. Maybe she’d pray for her husband who beats her. I was going to make devotions for my partner who left me without leaving a trace.

‘I Met Him Chatting’

It’s difficult to know the number of people who — desperate to make a decent living as soon as they can — make use of our limited Internet access to establish a “romantic” relationship with a foreigner.

Cuban Customs, Nothing New

The look of Havana’s Terminal 2 airport is always the same. Throngs of people pressing up against the security tape – all of them nervous, excited and a little worried.