Diaries Archives - Page 535 of 639

Collecting Funds for the P-2 Bus

Normally if I get on a guagua (what we call buses here in Cuba), it’s an Indiana Jones adventure, and lately it’s become more exciting still.

Cuban Singer Juana Bacalao’s Double

Since I was a little girl, I always heard my parents talk about Juana Bacalao as one of the Cuban singers that injected flavor and authenticity into her performances. On both national and foreign stages, she exhibited her rhythmic ease, her Creole humor, her artistic and universal talent that transformed her into a true show woman.

As Old as the Morro Fortress Itself

Referring to my commentaries, readers will say that these appear with an eternal nostalgia. I believe there’s no Cuban of my generation or of the previous ones who doesn’t suffer from the infection of nostalgia.

My School Went to the Countryside

Since the beginning of the “revolution,” un-paid student labor was gradually turned to in tackling difficult agricultural tasks. This is also said to have an educational purpose whereby study is linked to work.

‘Butts Against the Incentive’

Recently, in the debate on the future of the Cuban economy, there has been a great deal debate on the “workplace incentive policies.” This has involved what are usually called salaries, or wages, and “hard currency incentives.”

Religiosity in Havana

These days it’s common to hear people in Havana mention God. They might say “Thank God” or “God bless you,” “May God reward you” or other references.

Buses in Havana and Sancti Spiritus

Four women, who along with me were waiting for some fresh brewed coffee to be ready, were pleased that bus services had returned after having disappeared during the Special Period crisis so many years ago.

Milk or Fancy Toys?

I think there’s no reason or motive to show off things like those expensive toys, which are unattainable for most people, and not have basic products available.

Being and Not Just Appearing

On Sunday the other week, after several weekends without going out, some friends invited us to a show at the Teatro America. It turned into the discovery of an atmosphere different from what we’re accustomed to in Cuban theaters.

A Delayed Response

I can’t say that I’ve seen any direct repercussions, but there has indeed been something insinuated: If the decision makers and experts in these areas have opted for this path, we can imagine that our timid hopes for the legal recognition of unions different from heterosexual ones are far from being realized.