My Geographical Fatalism
The desire to live in an urban environment turned into an obsession. But time passed and I still hadn’t achieved my objective, especially because I was in a situation that depended on my father.
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Diaries
Cuba’s Robles Disqualified: A Painful Incident
A painful incident occurred at the World Athletics Championships taking place in Daegu, South Korea. When showing the 110 meter hurdles race in slow motion, it was demonstrated that Dayron Robles of Cuba had interfered with the effort of his Chinese rival, Liu Xiang.
Read MoreCheaper Markets in Upscale Neighborhoods
A group of us have been going to state-run farmers’ markets in the relatively upscale Vedado neighborhood to buy cheaper food, since otherwise our money just doesn’t stretch.
Read MoreCarlos Acosta & Cuba’s Performing Arts Award
I consider this award of recognition proper and commendable. However it would be good that starting from now nothing else were given to Cuban residents in Cuba or to nonresidents who reaffirm not only their patriotism but their identification with the system on the island.
Read MorePrelude to Another Crisis?
The last time I saw a fight in my hometown of Sancti Spiritus was when I wasa around seven or eight. I remember them well because those conflicts in my neighborhood in the ‘90s could have better been described as tumultuous brawls or “machete sessions”.
Read MoreBeneath the Poplar Foliage in Havana’s Plaza de Armas
It had been a while since I’d sat in Plaza de Armas. I’m always racing here and there in the daily agitation of work and home. But today I made a parenthesis in my life.
Read MoreSoviet Reminiscences
I found a disk by Bicer Kirov in the CD collection of a friend. Among those present (we were all contemporaries) this triggered an explosion of laughter, and a good part of the night became devoted to that Cuban habit of asking “Do you remember…?”
Read MoreA Little Europe on the P4 Bus
I was surprised to find that the bus — though full — had a nice atmosphere. The faces of the passengers reflected a kind of harmony, some even had smiles.
Read MoreCuba: The Ideal Place to Kick Back and…Unplug
I greatly doubt that any other country in the western hemisphere has such ideal conditions for someone to “unplug” as does Cuba.
Read MoreDo It Simply with Your Own Hands
“Simply, do it simply, do it with your own hands and la la la…” sing the voices in the introduction of a program on Cuba’s “Multivision” television network.
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